Book the Second, Chapter the Sixth: A Welcome View of Sun

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

While the surviving badger attacks William, Lepus tries to get behind the beast to stab it in the back.

DEX 15,[dice]230140:0[/dice]

Spoiler:

damage[dice]0[/dice]

Once again, without a thought for his own safety, Lepus strikes at the ferocious creature and ends its life.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Filthy thing! snarls William slashing once more at the beast.

Spoiler:

once again dex 11, although it's already dead . . .[dice]0[/dice]

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Filthy thing! snarls William slashing once more at the beast.

Spoiler:

once again dex 11, although it's already dead . . .[dice]230351:0[/dice]

The animal being simultaneously attacked from three sides at once, it is perhaps no very great surprise that the creature is difficult to strike accurately, in what is a most chaotic battle. Fortunately, the creature possessed, unlike the proverbial cat, only one life, which it has now sacrificed to its own frenzy. Having fallen victim to this dumb enemy, no doubt William's pleasure at seeing it fall makes up, to some extent, for the temporary pain of his injury.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Henry finally recovers from his shock and swings at the remaining badger with his cane, though his hands are still shaky and he narrowly misses.

OOC,Dexterity roll (10) attacking the remaining badger: [dice]230153:0[/dice]

Although unable to secure an accurate blow against the creature, now lying dead upon the ground, Doctor North may call to mind a curious volume of gastronomical philosophy, now nearly a century old, which suggests a possible use for the carcass. To wit, The Country Housewife and Lady's Director of Prof. R. Bradley, wherein may be found the following receipt:

A Gammon of a Badger roasted.
From Mr. R. T. of Leicestershire.
The Badger is one of the cleanest Creatures, in its Food, of any in the World, and one may suppose that the Flesh of this Creature is not unwholesome. It eats like the finest Pork, and is much sweeter than Pork. Then, just when a Badger is killed, cut off the Gammons, and strip them; then lay them in a Brine of Salt and Water, that will bear an Egg, for a Week or ten Days; then boil it for four or five Hours, and then roast it, strewing it with Flour and rasped Bread sifted. Then put it upon a Spit, as you did before with the Westphalia Ham. Serve it hot with a Garnish of Bacon fry'd in Cutlets, and some Lemon in slices.

Whether the party choose to partake of such uncommon fare is a question best left to individual taste.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

After this alarming encounter, the adventurers are no doubt pleased to discover that, by continuing to walk in a westerly direction, they eventually emerge from the birch forest and catch sight of the brew house. By this time, it is late in the afternoon, and such a place offers refreshment to body and soul. From here, one may return to the Grotto Pool, where the loyal Russian waits for word of his master, by crossing the Worried Stream via the quaintly named Moaning Bridge, and thence southward upon a familiar path. From the selfsame bridge crossing it is a very short walk northward to the Manor Home; although, if truth be told, rumor has it that servants laboring in the dairy paddock, kitchen garden, and other such rustic locales to the east of Highdark Hall often prefer to take a slightly longer pathway when delivering comestibles to their master and mistress, proceeding north from the crossroads near the brew house, then turning westward to cross the Worried Stream via the White Bridge instead. Such is the superstitious nature of the lower classes.

[jp1885]

Accustomed to eating whatever meagre fare a life on the road has to offer, Lepus will happily partake in a meal of roast badger (stuffing some in his pockets for future consumption). A modest draught of ale would also not go amiss following the recent exertions (mayhap he will give a toast to his fellow practitioner in the mystic arts on the event of his departure).

Observing the estate workers avoiding the Moaning Bridge piques the wanderer’s interest and, always eager to explore (perchance to converse with whoever dwells thereabouts), he opts to reach the grotto by this shortest route.

[SunlessNick]

Badger would not normally be William's choice of repast, but this particular specimen merits the fate of beasts at the hands of man. He will concur with taking the shorter route, especially since the company is still on a matter of unknown urgency.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry has an adventurous palate and is quite willing to try the recipe. The idea was his own, after all. He wishes to find Ivan first, who must be getting quite concerned by now that they haven't returned, but he is certain that his loyal servant is still waiting where he was left.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Having found the flavor of badger not unpleasing to their palates, particularly when washed down with ale of good quality, the adventurers, ready to rejoin the company of the loyal Ivan, proceed to the Moaning Bridge. It is evident how this simple stone structure, obviously of great age, obtained its evocative designation. The water of the Worried Stream flowing swiftly beneath it produces an low, hollow, echoing sound, as of a bereaved soul keening sorrowfully. The phenomenon is particularly noticeable in the exact center of the bridge where the stream, shielded from the sun by the low-lying structure, appears to the eye as no more than empty blackness. The effect upon one of sensitive nature may be a modest example of that combination of fear and fascination known to poets as the Sublime.

[jp1885]

As Lepus crosses the middle of the bridge, he pauses to look over it into the stream. Typically eccentric, he raises his hat and mutters sympathetic greetings in his polyglot blend of human and fae tongues to whatever may lurk under the structure (having already conversed with dolls, trees, spirits and at least one god, this notion is not as strange as outsiders might think).

[Mr. Handy]

Henry is fascinated by the phenomenon, observing it in silence so as not to disturb the solemnity and speculating as to its cause.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Whilst thus engaged in meditating upon the unusual sight and sound, the adventurers observe a large fish, golden in color, emerge from the blackness of the water. It swims languidly, just below the surface, its enormous eyes seeming to gaze upon the visitors. Although Lepus has made attempt to communicate with whatsoever might dwell under the bridge, it does not appear to be capable of reply, being in all visible respects simply a fish, albeit of a kind more expected to be seen in far Cathay than in England.

[Mr. Handy]

"That fish is far removed from its natural habitat," muses Henry. "Shall we try our hand at angling? There are stories of magical fish that will grant wishes to their captors in exchange for being released. It wouldn't surprise me if this were one of that sort."

[jp1885]

"Aye, perchance." Lepus studies the fish while he exctracts a piece of badger steak from his pocket. "Though old Lepus has slain enough creatures today, so let us treat this one kindly, even while 'tis being caught."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Among the many odds and ends carried by the eccentric hedge wizard are sufficient bits of string and metal to construct, with the aid of a twig of proper length and elasticity, a simple device for angling, although it might not win the full approval of Izaak Walton. Attaching a bit of the cooked flesh of the badger to an improvised hook, Lepus casts his line into the water.

Spoiler:

dex 15[dice]0[/dice]

It is not very long before the golden fish, apparently fond of such victuals, takes the bait and is drawn up onto the ground, where it rests without the gasping one would expect from a member of the finny tribe.

[jp1885]

Lepus picks up the fish, apologising as he gently removes the hook from its mouth. He looks the creature in the eye, saying: “In return for putting thee back, we request thou givest us transgressors the name of the fae lady that threatens this place and the family Altumber who dewlleth therein.”

Whether he elicits a response or not, he will quickly return the fish to its watery home, so as to lessen its suffering.

[Mr. Handy]

"Fascinating," says Henry. "It appears to be amphibious. It could breathe in air as easily as in water."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lepus picks up the fish, apologising as he gently removes the hook from its mouth. He looks the creature in the eye, saying: “In return for putting thee back, we request thou givest us transgressors the name of the fae lady that threatens this place and the family Altumber who dewlleth therein.”

Whether he elicits a response or not, he will quickly return the fish to its watery home, so as to lessen its suffering.

Spoiler:

cha = 11 + 3 for Attractive to Fairies = 14[dice]0[/dice]

Possibly to the surprise of those watching, the fish makes response by opening its mouth wide, and spewing out two objects. One is a tiny silver ring, too small to fit even the finger of an infant. The other is an ordinary acorn. With that curious gesture, the creature wriggles away, almost as if Nature had blessed it with feet, and jumps back into the water with a splash.

[jp1885]

As if such things are an everyday occurrence, Lepus thanks the fish as it swims away before studying the objects coughed up by the creature.

“Acorn Silver-ring mayhap? Silverlink Oakseed? Does not sound very threatening... Hmm...”

As he crosses the bridge, the wanderer pokes around some of the dusty cupboards in his mind for any fae names that fit the clues given.

INT 15 +3 occult lore?,[dice]0[/dice]

[Mr. Handy]

"Perhaps when we return to the house later, we can peruse the library to find more information on her," suggests Henry.