Book the Second, Chapter the Third: A Plague of Vanishings

[jp1885]

Remembering his encounter with the blasted oak, Lepus mutters greetings and a polite request to enter the garden in his ployglot mix of faerie tongues before pushing the gate open enough to squeeze through.

He scans the undergrowth with keen eyes, just in case any large cats are lurking nearby.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry follows Lepus through the gate and looks around for anything that might be catnip.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

The reason for this roll not yet explained.[dice]0[/dice]

Whilst this curiously mismatched pair are searching among the thick and tangled plant life that fills this little-visited place, as if it were one of the fabled jungles that are said to exist in warmer climes, they hear a very soft, yet somehow unmistakable, sound, soft and high, which resembles the laughter of young children. It comes from one place at first, then from another, not very close, the next. At the same time, there is much activity among the tiny creatures that inhabit the area. A number of small frogs hop out of the central pool, all manner of insects fly or creep about the plants, and so forth.

Meanwhile, as if by sheer luck, a sudden warm breeze stirs the foliage in such a way that a patch of catnip, hidden deep behind larger plants until that moment, is revealed.

[jp1885]

None of this perturbs Lepus, who, having heard such high-pitched chittering before during his explorations, bows low to the assemblage of wildlife and bids Henry do the same.

"The garden has seen fit to show us what we require," he whispers, "but due deference we must show, hm?"

Pointing to the catnip, he once again he gibbers in an eccentric mix of faerie languages.

Gibbering,[color=#008000]"Thank you, oh denizens of this place, for allowing us entry to your home. Please, will you permit us to pick some of the plant that grows hence?"[/color]

[Mr. Handy]

Once Lepus gives his approval, Henry gathers the catnip, knowing he'll need a greater than normal quantity of it to affect the enlarged feline.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

As the fragrant plant is gathered, there seems to be a soft whispering within the trees, much like the playing of a breeze in the leaves, although close observation reveals that the air is still. This continues for some time, increasing in volume just a bit, so that eventually one can make out what seem to be spoken words arriving from no certain direction, as if emerging from the atmosphere itself.

What price will you give
If you wish to live?
Full well must you pay
Or perish this day.

[jp1885]

"Ah, 'tis always so, hm? Seldom is there something for nothing."

Lepus giggles suddenly, producing his tin whistle and playing a little tune.

"'tis a thing as always taught; ne'er a time there's aught for nought!" he sings.

He rummages around his rags, fishing out some bread from the kitchen thst he has kept about his person for emergencies.

"Would our kind hosts accept some nourishment? Or mayhap old Lepus can whistle a little more?"

[Mr. Handy]

"What price do you desire?" asks Henry. "I have knowledge if that is what your require. I also have great wealth to give. We'll pay the cost it takes to live."

[SunlessNick]

While Lord Dunwich and the strange Lepus are away on their errand, William will succumb to his restless nature and take a ride round the estate. He will invite Lady Highdark to accompany him - "Your household has been much assailed in the past weeks, Lady Highdark. Perhaps a ride in the fresh air may clear your head and revive your spirits."

[Rooter]

Meanwhile Vincent, who tends to go into sneezing fits and develop rashes around cats and thus has no desire to meet a giant one, procures a supply of the breakfast kippers from the kitchens should the need arise and remains with Mademoiselle Georgina, offering felicitous words of comfort.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Ah, 'tis always so, hm? Seldom is there something for nothing."

Lepus giggles suddenly, producing his tin whistle and playing a little tune.

"'tis a thing as always taught; ne'er a time there's aught for nought!" he sings.

He rummages around his rags, fishing out some bread from the kitchen that he has kept about his person for emergencies.

"Would our kind hosts accept some nourishment? Or mayhap old Lepus can whistle a little more?"

The tune doth please
And yet our ease
Ye would best meet
With stone most sweet

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"What price do you desire?" asks Henry. "I have knowledge if that is what your require. I also have great wealth to give. We'll pay the cost it takes to live."

No mortal lore
Will serve us, nor
Coin of gold;
Give sweetness old!

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

While Lord Dunwich and the strange Lepus are away on their errand, William will succumb to his restless nature and take a ride round the estate. He will invite Lady Highdark to accompany him - "Your household has been much assailed in the past weeks, Lady Highdark. Perhaps a ride in the fresh air may clear your head and revive your spirits."

Lady Highdark is nothing loath to accompany the bold soldier. Whilst riding in a secluded area of the deer park, they hear a mighty roar, as of some prowling beast.

Spoiler:

LH DEX = 9; W DEX = 12 + 3 expert equestrian = 15[dice]0[/dice]

Both horses are greatly disturbed by the sound, which emerges from somewhere deep within the wooded park, but their riders are able to take control of them and avoid being thrown.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Meanwhile Vincent, who tends to go into sneezing fits and develop rashes around cats and thus has no desire to meet a giant one, procures a supply of the breakfast kippers from the kitchens should the need arise and remains with Mademoiselle Georgina, offering felicitous words of comfort.

Whilst thus engaged in pleasant conversation, Georgina keeps an eye on a nearby clock. As its chimes mark the ninth hour of the evening, she hurriedly makes excuse and states that she wishes to retire. Being entirely unused to dissembling, it is a matter of simple observation that, in fact, she is dressed as if she intends to go outside.

[Mr. Handy]

"Could they mean your talisman?" Henry asks Lepus. "It's an old stone, but how could it be considered sweet?"

[SunlessNick]

William looks in the direction of the roar, his hand instinctively going to his pistol - but then he realises what the sound must be, and forebears to draw. "It may seem strange to imagine, Lady Highdark, but I believe we have discovered the whereabouts of your daughter's missing cat. I fear I must return and enlist Lord Dunwich - he and the others have been preparing bait by which we might recover it alive."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Poets have often spoken of the wind laughing in the trees. If such a thing were truly to happen, it might sound like what the Lord Doctor and the Gypsy Magician hear in response to their speculations.

Far from the mark
Thy arrows fly!
'Tis almost dark
And night is nigh.
'Fore sun is lost,
To seal thy fate,
Must pay the cost
Or else, too late!
Not work of hand
But that of wing!
Canst understand?
Hark! We sing!
Bring sweetness white
Or sweetness gold
'Fore endless night
Brings endless cold.

At the same time as this half-heard, half-dreamed recitation fills their minds, the mismatched pair notice that the breeze stirs the foliage in such a manner that the patch of catnip is blocked from their grasp by stinging nettle and other plants that are noxious to the touch.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

William looks in the direction of the roar, his hand instinctively going to his pistol - but then he realises what the sound must be, and forebears to draw. "It may seem strange to imagine, Lady Highdark, but I believe we have discovered the whereabouts of your daughter's missing cat. I fear I must return and enlist Lord Dunwich - he and the others have been preparing bait by which we might recover it alive."

"Cat? Indeed, sir, to mine own ear that sound resembles more the cry of the American beast, named by the colonists, unless I am very much mistaken, a catamount. In any case, let us make haste towards the good Doctor, who knows of such curiosities of nature. The creature might make a fine trophy, no matter how it ended up so far from its native environs."

[Mr. Handy]

"An egg!" exclaims Henry. "We can find some in the chicken coop, near the kitchen gardens, unless there's a bird's nest closer."

[jp1885]

A somewhat perturbed Lepus is more than happy to accept Henry's idea of offering an egg, as opposed to his interpretation of the rhyme, to wit: the stone pendant that bestows him his magical powers.

"Aye, an egg, 'tis white and gold! Bravo sir - now make haste!"

"Allow my friend to leave and then,
He shall find himself a hen.
Underneath it's wings he'll peek,
And return hence with the stone ye seek."

"With thee in song I shall engage,
So thou knowst we'll not renege.
Talk and play we shall take turns,
Until my friend hap'ly returns!"

Thus sings Lepus to the spirits of this garden, offering to converse and play tunes with them until Henry returns with the offering.