Book the Second, Chapter the Second: An Unexpected Arrival

[jp1885]

Lepus grins as he examine the runes.

"Old magic this, oh yes..."

Making a mental note of the shape of the markings, he fishes a blackened piece of burnt wood from his person and scratches a copy of them onto a scrap of paper, which he then tucks into his pocket.

He scratches his grubby beard upon Ivan's announcement.

"Hmm, would such a beast keep ancient bones?"

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm not sure," says Henry, thinking on what he knows of badgers and their habits. "However, if they were in the chamber already when it moved in, it is unlikely to dispose of them. Still, the remains we seek could lie elsewhere in these caves."

[jp1885]

To the other's undoubted surprise, Lepus suddenly boffs himself on the head.

"Pssssht! Old Lepus searches for the unknown, but would shy away when it comes! Never seen such a beast before, so I shall see it now!"

In other words, he's happy to investigate this huge badger.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Badgers eat anything," Ivan remarks. "Mean, too."

If the adventurers wish to find such a beast, it seems most likely that, if it is anywhere nearby, it has taken shelter in the largest of the three tunnels, the others being too narrow for what must be a specimen of truly extraordinary size.

[Mr. Handy]

"It is most likely down the larger tunnel," says Henry. "Whoever leads the way will be the target of its wrath."

[jp1885]

"Aye. The beast will have caught our scent by now too, but if the bones be in his lair... and I do so wish to see it..."

Lepus pauses, picking some dirt from his fingernails.

"But there be no point in getting us killed, or killing yon badger wantonly, yesno? Let us look for the bones elsewhere and return when we've a means to calm the beast, hm?"

If the others agree, perhaps returning to the junction and turning left might be wise.

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, a sensible suggestion," says Henry.

[SunlessNick]

"Very well," agrees William.

[Rooter]

Vincent is also in agreement. "This green light is très curieuse."

[jp1885]

"Aye, 'tis a strange light. Yon tunnel is a narrow fit though - would the bones be down there? Old Lepus also wonders about the runes on the walls. Keep away restless spirits so they do - spirits from this tunnel mayhap?"

[Mr. Handy]

"It would be difficult to fit the bodies down that narrow tunnel," says Henry. "The green glow could simply be phosphorous. It occurs naturally in some caverns."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Returning the way they came, the party follows the left-hand tunnel. Unlike the other, it does not further divide, but continues for some distance, more or less in a straight line, until it reaches a large pit blocking the way. The light of a lantern does not reveal any bottom to this gap in the tunnel, which continues onward beyond it. A sharp, acidic odor emerges from the pit.

[SunlessNick]

How wide is the pit, and are there any outcrops on which a rope might be looped?

[jp1885]

Taking off his grubby tricorne, Lepus lies down at the edge of the pit with his head poking out over the rim. He twists his neck so that an ear is facing downwards. Can his keen hearing pick anything up?

[Mr. Handy]

"We could lower a lantern on a rope to get a look down there," suggests Henry.

[SunlessNick]

"If I were hiding bodies in these caves, this would certainly be the place," agrees William.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

How wide is the pit, and are there any outcrops on which a rope might be looped?

Close examination reveals the pit to be wider than one could jump. The inner surface is indeed very rough, with several places where one might attach a rope, with sufficient care.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Taking off his grubby tricorne, Lepus lies down at the edge of the pit with his head poking out over the rim. He twists his neck so that an ear is facing downwards. Can his keen hearing pick anything up?

From far below, echoing off the stone walls, comes the sound of soft fluttering.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"We could lower a lantern on a rope to get a look down there," suggests Henry.

This is certainly a possibility. It would require one of steady hand to safely lower the lantern, if this plan is adopted. There are a sufficient number of lanterns for any member of the party to try.

[jp1885]

"Old Lepus hears a flitter-flutter - bats mayhap?"

Still lying prone, he reaches down and runs his hand along the wall of the pit to see if it is layered with droppings, guano or suchlike.

"Either way, 'tis a suitable pit in which to throw down bones."