Chapter the Ninth: Paris

[SunlessNick]

As Miss Davenport must be close by, Ines uses what strength she has to convey a warning about the sabotaged cages, and that the boar may not be the last beast to get free.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Spoiler:

Dr. North: DEX = 10 + 1 TI = 11[dice]0[/dice]
Ivan DEX = 9 + 1 TI = 10[dice]1[/dice]

The hiss of Doctor North's weapon fills the air as it passes over the beast without striking. More effective is the blow of the mighty Russian, no doubt aided by a desire for vengeance against the creature who wounded him.

Spoiler:

[dice]2[/dice]

Ivan's sword pierces the boar through the heart. It falls dead, no longer a threat to any.

[Mr. Handy]

"Well done, Ivan!" says Henry, hurrying to help Ines, as her injury is worse. If it proves necessary, he can use the Cauteriser. After he has treated her, he will do what he can for Ivan. Then he will have a look at the cages' mechanisms.

[Rooter]

Lila does her best to help the doctor tend to the wounded.

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The Gypsy's wound is not quite severe enough to require the use of the Cauterizer (the benefit of which is restricted to those on the edge of death.) With the assistance of Miss Davenport, Ines is restored to a state of health which allows her to walk and engage in other normal activities, but it will be a few days before she is in a fully recovered state. The same made me said of Ivan.

Enough time has passed so that it does not appear that more animals will be released.

[SunlessNick]

More restored, Ines relates the opening of the cage doors, and the mechanism the learned woman referred to - she will point the lady out if she is still about. "I cannot fathom why the Chevalier or his mother would do such a thing, but I thought that Violette DuPray might want such a disruption."

[Rooter]

"Well indeed," Lila says after the commotion has passed. "At least we appear to have solved the mystery of this man's identity. Yet what is to be done? He plainly cannot be permitted to roam freely. Yet I am loathe to see him mistreated as he was. If he cannot be healed then perhaps a charitable institution would be best for him.

Then, too, we approached Madame LaMont seeking information on this scientist who may be connected with Violette DuPray, and have learned nothing for our troubles."

[SunlessNick]

"The sabotaged cages must be what the mutilated man was trying to warn us about," says Ines, "but if that is the case I do not see what he meant by mother and brother."

[Mr. Handy]

"It sounds like Roterstein is behind the sabotage," says Henry, examining the mechanisms. "It seems he's used some sort of clockwork device to get the cages to open at a certain time. I agree, it doesn't seem like a good idea to return him to Madame LaMont. The way she treated him was wrong, keeping him chained up and pretending to the world that he was dead. Perhaps there is an institution in Paris where his condition can be treated. There must be experts at the Sorbonne who would know where to take him."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

It is a notion perhaps worthy of philosophic consideration that time flows sometimes with the sluggishness of a slough, and sometimes as swiftly as the crashing waves of a tempest. Be that as it may, the hours and days rush by as the adventurers make their way back to the Sorbonne, where they are assured that the finest phrenologists will attempt to restore the young man's senses.

By the time Ines is fully recovered from her severe injuries, Autumn has already stripped the leaves from many of the trees. It is apparent that the approaching Winter will be particularly severe. Whispered conversations speak of another shortage of bread, of more unrest among the poor. The watchful eyes of the party note heavily cloaked and furtive figures, one by one, walking to the mighty cathedral of Our Lady at an hour of the night when such behavior is uncommon. Undaunted by howling winds and chilling rains, they vanish somewhere within the structure's labyrinthine interior. To follow unnoticed would call for much stealth. One may succeed where many would fail; yet to enter alone into unknown dangers would carry much risk.

"We must have a plan," Mister Witherly observes. It is a statement with which it is difficult to disagree.

[SunlessNick]

For five of us, disguise may be more effective than stealth.

[Mr. Handy]

"I agree," says Henry. "If we dress as they do, we will stand a much better chance. We could pretend to agree with their cause, though Miss Davenport is the only one of us who speaks French, and her accent will reveal her to be a foreigner."

[Rooter]

"But is not this fellow Roterstein an Austrian? We might claim to be former associates of his in order to gain access. Do you not have some familiarity with the German language Doctor North? With your scientific knowledge you might pass for a continental colleague of Roterstein's. Likewise Ines may pass for a Spaniard. Perhaps, if Miss DuPray is indeed involved with these radicals, we would more easily escape recognition by changing our nationalities as well as our appearance. I would suggest that Miss Carrow at least remain behind."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Mister Witherly agrees to remain with the lady and her loyal pet. Whether Ivan will accompany his master is, of course, up to Doctor North.

"My only question," Mister Witherly remarks, "is in what manner you shall obtain the necessary change of clothing to create these new identities, lest you be recognized for what you are. Perhaps a discreet visit to the purveyors of whatnot who ply their wares along the Seine?"

Spoiler:

Please also see my comment in the Salon as to the possibility of obtaining a working knowledge of French.

[SunlessNick]

"You're right of course, Mr Witherly," says Ines.

[Mr. Handy]

"That could be a good ploy," says Henry, "and I do speak German, but it would fall apart should we meet Roterstein himself. Rather than pretend to be a colleague of his, I could perhaps simply be an inventor who has heard of his work and is seeking him out. Ivan should accompany us. We may have need of his strength in the event that we run into trouble."

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Having made their plans, the party strolls along the Seine, where street merchants offer a wide variety of goods. The clients are generally of the middle classes, the goods available of moderate quality. Doctor North and Ines are conspicuous, respectively, for fine clothing of English fashion and for Gypsy garb. After some browsing, a seller of used clothing is found. He is a small, slender man of middle years with thinning hair, sallow complexion, and a thin mouth containing not as many teeth as originally provided by Nature. His wares appear to be simple, somewhat the worse for wear, but reasonably clean. The adventurers may approach him in whatsoever manner they deem fit, and inspect the clothing to see if they are able to find something appropriate to change their appearance (which, given the number of days they have remained in the area, renders them memorable to one of sharp eye.)

[Rooter]

"It would seem that heavy cloaks are the fashion among those of a clandestine persuasion," Lila observes. "But perhaps something in the continental style will assist?"

[Victoria Silverwolf]

There seems to have been a high demand for cloaks in recent weeks, no doubt due to the coolness of the weather and the increase in precipitation.

Spoiler:

[dice]0[/dice]

Fortunately, he has just enough to supply each member of the party with one. They are all the same size, of black broadcloth which has faded to dark grey. Thus the hulking Russian will not be entirely covered, whilst the ladies will find their cloaks are somewhat larger than would allow for easy movement.

Spoiler:

The merchant's Wisdom (luck) = 9[dice]1[/dice]

Otherwise he has little to offer the adventurers which would allow them to be fully attired in the French manner. For that, he suggests a visit to a tailor, which would, of course, require more time and greater expense. He is however, able to provide hats which are only slightly out of style, and which would fit in with those worn by other Parisians.

[SunlessNick]

"Do you think it is likely they would retain their cloaks when in the meeting, to keep their identities secret even from one another, or remove them?" asks Ines.