Book the Second, Chapter the Seventh: Clouds of Battle

[jp1885]

"Let us hope the child proves less troublesome than it's namesake, yesno?" Lepus mutters to Henry.

Hurrying forwards, he falls in step with McGee.

"So, what hast thou seen of the battle so far? Be there any intelligence thou can impart?"

[SunlessNick]

"I just remembered something," says Henry. "Artemis is the cat's name."

"That is true," says William. "Do you see a meaning in it beyond Georgina's affectionate whims?"

[Mr. Handy]

"I know not," says Henry, also walking toward the manor house. "Still, it is something to be aware of, in case meaning develops later. I shall seek out Lord Highdark and speak to him, one lord to another, to ask his permission for our friend to enter his home."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Let us hope the child proves less troublesome than it's namesake, yesno?" Lepus mutters to Henry.

Hurrying forwards, he falls in step with McGee.

"So, what hast thou seen of the battle so far? Be there any intelligence thou can impart?"

"Nary a speck o' trouble nor hair else," the diminutive fellow replies. "Been restin' up me limbs, in top of yon trees. Nice, quiet place to live, better than dusty old houses and such truck."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"I know not," says Henry, also walking toward the manor house. "Still, it is something to be aware of, in case meaning develops later. I shall seek out Lord Highdark and speak to him, one lord to another, to ask his permission for our friend to enter his home."

In brief conversation with Lord Highdark, it is established that the gentleman in question, having a well-deserved reputation for hospitality, is nothing loathe to have another guest within his home for the nonce, and invites the adventurers to escort the person under discussion within.

[jp1885]

Lepus sticks close to McGee, knowing how excitable small folk can be under the influence of alcohol.

He also surreptitiously mutters an incantation to detect evil, lest the Fae Lady Silveroak (if that truly is her name) or her allies decide to make an appearance.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry also enters the house with them.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

It was wise of Lepus to take such precaution, as his preternatural power to detect malevolence reveals that the intents of the little man are far from benign. If further evidence of this be needed, it is provided by the fact that, once within the confines of the manor home, McGee ignores the welcoming gestures of Lord Highdark, bypassing that individual entirely, and rushing up the nearest staircase with remarkable speed and grace, while shouting "Gold! Gold! And all shall be mine!"

It is not much later that the sounds of rummaging come from above, in the approximate area of Lord Highdark's study.

As a possible distraction from these events, it may also be observed that, at the same instant that McGee set foot in Highdark Hall, numerous tiny, glittering lights, similar to appearance to fireflies, if those peculiar little creatures were ever to be seen in broad daylight, began to drift toward the manor home from the south, floating in remarkably ordered procession, in a straight line, amongst the stately row of yews lining the pathway to the main entryway of the building.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry hurries after McGee, reasoning that William is best suited to organize the defense of the house against the obvious army on its way, and that having someone dangerous and unpredictable already inside the house is a great risk.

[jp1885]

Lepus cusses as McGee disappears up the stairs. Why didn't he divine the fellow's intentions earlier?

Torn between the greedy Leprechaun and the approaching lights, the hedge wizards summons his invisble servant. Fishing around his coat for a grubby sack, he requests that the unseen figure to assist Dr. North to catch McGee before tying the Irishman up in said sack.

Mindful of the detrimental affect to his health, he shambles to a window, staring out at the parade in an attempt to ascertain the nature of those taking part in the procession.

[SunlessNick]

William mutters a curse about the perfidy of the Irish, before making efforts to marshall the male servants of the house to guard doors and windows against intrusion - it is to be hoped that the iron defences laid earlier remain in place. Of the two walls most adjacent to the approaching entities, he asks Harold and Henry to take charge of one each. He himself, and Ivan (unless that loyal servant has followed Lord Dunwich), and Lepus if he is willing shall take watch over the shattered upstairs ballroom, which remains the easiest entrance to any being not bound the to ground.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Rushing up the stairs to Lord Highdark's study, Doctor North hears the cackling laughter of McGee and observes the tiny fellow engaged in rummaging through the furniture, in search of riches.

Spoiler:

Mcgee's WIS = 12[dice]0[/dice]

He locates a hidden cache of gold coins and grabs at it eagerly, shoving them into the pockets of his jacket, giggling and dancing about the room.

"Gold! Lovely, lovely gold!"

Meanwhile, the Invisible Servant summoned in arcane fashion by Lepus attempts to carry out its orders.

Spoiler:

battle of DEX. The servant has ordinary characteristics of a human servant, so DEX = 9. McGee -= DEX 12. In that order [dice]1[/dice] Damage (non-lethal)[dice]3[/dice]

That Damage should have gone with the punch from McGee, below.

The effort is far from successful. In truth, the only effect is that the sack is snatched from the unseen hands of the servant. Having no true intelligence or will of its own, and now unable to attempt to carry out its task, it does nothing.

Seeing no one else about save Doctor North, McGee directs his wrath at Doctor North.

"After me gold, are ye? We'll see about that, lad!"

With surprising speed and agility, the little fellow races toward Doctor North and aims his fists at him.

Spoiler:

dex = 12[dice]2[/dice]

Although not enough to threaten Doctor North's life, the little man's fists are tough enough to inflict a painful attack on one knee.

Spoiler:

six non-lethal points equivalent to one lethal plus one non-lethal

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

While the sounds of a chaotic battle emerge from above, those gathered below observe the floating lights assemble themselves directly in front of the main entrance of the manor home.

Spoiler:

[dice]0[/dice]

Careful observation reveals that they are a score and eight in number. As they draw near to the defenders, often circling above their heads just out of reach, it can be seen that they resemble tiny human figures, entirely innocent of clothing, of both sexes. As they flutter about, multiple voices, piercingly sweet and high, cry out to those below.

"Give us the child! Give us the child!"

They evince no attempt to enter the manor home.

[Mr. Handy]

Reeling from the blow, Henry brandishes his cane. "That's enough of that!" he shouts. "I have no desire for your gold! I have plenty of wealth of my own already, and have need of no more. Besides, the gold you just took is not yours. It is the property of our host, and it would be ill form for you to steal from him after he invited you inside. Return it to him at once!" He holds back for now, but he will strike if McGee makes any more aggressive moves toward him.

[jp1885]

As per William's suggestion, Lepus takes up position in the shattered ballroom, or a vantage point near enough where he can see and converse with the tiny figures. Praying that the servants have placed enough iron about to keep the faeries, if faeries they be, at bay, the wanderer bows to the hovering company.

"Welcome oh sprites! Mayhap thou knowest your humble servant, old Lepus? Has he the honour of addressing the regiments of Lady Silveroak? Why dost thou desire the child?"

[SunlessNick]

The figures are too tiny for a pistol to be of use, even for as experienced a shot as William. Instead he readies his sword and the iron knife he had the blacksmith make. For the moment he stays quiet, letting Lepus glean what he may.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Reeling from the blow, Henry brandishes his cane. "That's enough of that!" he shouts. "I have no desire for your gold! I have plenty of wealth of my own already, and have need of no more. Besides, the gold you just took is not yours. It is the property of our host, and it would be ill form for you to steal from him after he invited you inside. Return it to him at once!" He holds back for now, but he will strike if McGee makes any more aggressive moves toward him.

Laughing derisively, the little man dances a jig and cries "And I shall have your gold as well, see if I don't. For the nonce, what care I for the cracked-brain battles of men or fae? Away!"

Spoiler:

dex = 12[dice]0[/dice]borderline result

With that, he struggles to exit through the nearest window, but struggles to do so, landing upon the ground headfirst, gold coins scattering all about. Cursing in the Gaelic tongue, he is delayed in his escape by his desire to retrieve every one.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

As per William's suggestion, Lepus takes up position in the shattered ballroom, or a vantage point near enough where he can see and converse with the tiny figures. Praying that the servants have placed enough iron about to keep the faeries, if faeries they be, at bay, the wanderer bows to the hovering company.

"Welcome oh sprites! Mayhap thou knowest your humble servant, old Lepus? Has he the honour of addressing the regiments of Lady Silveroak? Why dost thou desire the child?"

At about the midpoint of this speech, from the brightest and largest of the floating figures, there emerges a high-pitched shriek, followed by the disappearance of said figure. At this occurrence, there is much agitation amongst the remaining figures. They draw together, forming a shape that, to one of vivid imagination, might resemble a crossbow of former centuries. Their voices ring out in a chorus, as if they are of one mind.

"The Queen! The Queen! Gone! Gone! Must Die! Must Die!"

At the point of the imagined crossbow appears a pale green glowing object, much in shape like the tips of arrows, formed from stone, said to be used by certain aboriginal inhabitants of the New World.

Spoiler:

WIS to resist the effects of Elf Shot; WIS = 18[dice]0[/dice]

Given the hedge wizard's frequent experience with the harmful tricks of such beings, the ethereal weapon passes through his body completely, without effect, as if it were no more than a thing of dreams. The figures gather closely together in a sphere, whispering softly in a language unknown to mortals, as if engaged in the planning of strategy, now that this attack has failed.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The figures are too tiny for a pistol to be of use, even for as experienced a shot as William. Instead he readies his sword and the iron knife he had the blacksmith make. For the moment he stays quiet, letting Lepus glean what he may.

It may be observed that the figures stay well away from the brandished weapons of iron, as well as the defenses about the manor home of the selfsame substance. Rather, they remain at an elevated position. One of fanciful mind might suppose them to be so many officers seeking, like the tyrannical Corsican, to retain the high ground against an enemy.

[jp1885]

Lepus capers gleefully at the Fae Lady's flight and her soldiers' impotent shot.

If he can see McGee scrabbling for coins on the ground below, he will call to his invisible servant.

"Pick up a gold coin and carry to towards the faeries if thy please!"

If the leprechaun chases after the coin, the wanderer hopes to confuse his enemies by telling the faeries that McGee is the child they want (mayhap they will fall for the trick without their queen).

If this ruse fails (or he cannot see the Irishman) he will shout to the defenders thus (seeing the arrackers confused and bunched together).

"Fetch catapaults and blunderbuss if there be any! Load them with iron nails and ready to let fly at the faerie host!"