Book the Second, Chapter the First: A New Century

[Rooter]

"Sacre bleu!" Vincent says. "This is not natural. But I also know of unnatural mists, non?" He murmurs the words of an incantation to create an Obscuring Mist around their boat then takes up the oars again to attempt approach from a different direction under cover.

[Mr. Handy]

"Indeed," says Henry. "It defies the laws of physics."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The Obscuring Mist seems to calm the waters, allowing the adventurers to approach the island silently and unseen. Upon landing, the air is surprisingly cold. Georgina shivers in her light day gown. The pillars of mist move slowly in a circle around the large tree, maintaining a regular distance from each other.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

Let us return, before inquiry is made as to the sound of the shot." During the ride back to the manor home it is evident that she is in a state of mind best described as ecstatic rapture, such as is reputed to have been the experience of certain saints.

VictoriaSilverwolf,"[color=#800000]Need we return so soon, Lady Highdark?[/color]" asks William. "[color=#800000]I held your life in my hands just now, and it would be a fine thing to feel the pulse of that life a little longer.[/color]"

Spoiler:

"Indeed, sir? And what, pray tell, further amusement did you have in mind?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Shall we approach for a closer look?" suggests Henry, his voice low as if the mist might overhear him.

[SunlessNick]

Spoiler:

"Indeed, sir? And what, pray tell, further amusement did you have in mind?"

VictoriaSilverwolf,"[color=#800000]Why that of life itself, Lady Highdark,[/color]" says William. "[color=#800000]As we agreed, life it at its richest when confronted with death. We confronted one another, we quickened one another's hearts and fired one another's blood. Surely it would be well to rejoice in the life we have so mutually ennobled?[/color]" [ooc]I've bumped William's perversity up to 14 for this.[/ooc]

[Rooter]

"I don't like this strange cold. It can be a sign of evil. We must make sure les enfants are safe. Mademoiselle, stay close to me." Vincent murmurs an incantation to Detect Evil.

Spoiler:

2 HP remaining.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

"Indeed, sir? And what, pray tell, further amusement did you have in mind?"

VictoriaSilverwolf,"[color=#800000]Why that of life itself, Lady Highdark,[/color]" says William. "[color=#800000]As we agreed, life it at its richest when confronted with death. We confronted one another, we quickened one another's hearts and fired one another's blood. Surely it would be well to rejoice in the life we have so mutually ennobled?[/color]" [ooc]I've bumped William's perversity up to 14 for this.[/ooc]

Spoiler:

"You intrigue me, sir. Shall we retire to my chambers?"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"I don't like this strange cold. It can be a sign of evil. We must make sure les enfants are safe. Mademoiselle, stay close to me." Vincent murmurs an incantation to Detect Evil.

Spoiler:

2 HP remaining.

The spell reveals that the misty figures are indeed a source of malign intent.

The adventurers are able to hear childish laughter coming from the isle, its source hidden by the mist.

[Mr. Handy]

"That could be the girls," says Henry. "Or it could be something else trying to make us think it's them."

[SunlessNick]

Spoiler:

"You intrigue me, sir. Shall we retire to my chambers?"

VictoriaSilverwolf,"[color=#800000]A splendid idea,Lady Highdark,[/color]" agrees William.

[Rooter]

"Perhaps a little persuasion to reveal its secrets is in order, non?" With a brief incantation Vincent creates a flame above his hand and takes a tentative step toward the tree, holding the flame aloft. "Children?" he calls.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The flame causes the misty figures to move slightly apart, offering a better view of the tree. It can be seen that the twins are dancing about it, as if engaged in a game of Queen-of-the-May, but are strangely quiet, given their loquacious nature. They catch sight of the adventurers, cease their dance, and address them.

"Oh, there --

"you are, Georgina. And --

"these gentlemen are --

"welcome as --

"Well. Come play --

"with us forever --

"and ever."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

"You intrigue me, sir. Shall we retire to my chambers?"

VictoriaSilverwolf,"[color=#800000]A splendid idea,Lady Highdark,[/color]" agrees William.

Some time later, Lady Highdark and William are seen within Highdark Hall, in a flushed but pleased condition, as if they have been engaged in vigorous exercise.

"Did you have a pleasant ride?" inquires Lord Highdark.

"Indeed, my dear," Lady Highdark replies.

"Good, good. I say, Georgina has still not returned with my two little poppets. I trust no harm has come to them."

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm afraid we haven't that long, young ladies," says Henry. "Your father requires your presence."

[SunlessNick]

"Good, good. I say, Georgina has still not returned with my two little poppets. I trust no harm has come to them."

"That is troubling," says William, the practical side of his nature reasserting itself. "Do you know in which direction the search party was last seen?"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"I'm afraid we haven't that long, young ladies," says Henry. "Your father requires your presence."

They make no response, but merely giggle.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Good, good. I say, Georgina has still not returned with my two little poppets. I trust no harm has come to them."

"That is troubling," says William, the practical side of his nature reasserting itself. "Do you know in which direction the search party was last seen?"

"I believe they were heading in the general direction of the Observatory," Lord Highdark remarks.

"Yes, I caught sight of them from a distance while you and I were . . . riding, sir," Lady Highdark says.

This is sufficient to set William on the right path, at least at first.

Spoiler:

will be generous and assume his tracking skill is 13, as before[dice]0[/dice]

He does not catch sight of them, however, and makes his way all the way to the Observatory. From this elevation he is able to detect some sort of activity happening at the small island in the Misty Tarn, but it is unclear what it might be.

[Mr. Handy]

"You must return," says Henry, recalling what Miss Rye had said to get them to obey before, "or Poppy will be displeased."

[SunlessNick]

William will head in the direction of the Tarn, it being unclear what other lead he might follow.