Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundrums

[jp1885]

Lepus grins at the assembled party, and nods at Henry’s suggestion.

“The urn be hidden not in yonder caves, but elsewhere; yet if it calls to the beast, the protection I have put in place may not be enough...”

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

I would think by now that Lepus is aware of the nature of the female creature.

After some small amount of struggle and confusion, primarily due to the reluctance of Miss Ravenscroft to display much co-operation with her captor, all are gathered together. At some point during the ensuing moments of conversation and, on the part of Miss Ravenscroft, argumentation, the female creature, turning her gaze away from Doctor North for a brief time, catches sight of that lady.

"Bad woman!" She howls and hisses like a angry she-cat, then runs off in a westerly direction.

Unperturbed by this turn of events, Miss Ravenscroft remarks, in a tone of superiority, "In order to destroy my first creation, which I admit to be less than entirely perfect, it will first be necessary to bring him to me. I assume you have some idea as to how this is to be accomplished?"

[jp1885]

“Mayhap the could be tempted by evil spirit in the urn, hmm?” says Lepus, deciding to come clean. “‘tis buried in Tamsin’s Close, safe from temptation. Yon monster could be led to the place and, when occupied digging it up, mayhap it could be destroyed? The urn could then be taken and locked away.”

[Mr. Handy]

"The female creature has turned out much better," says Henry. "I believe that raised and educated properly, she can learn to be a lady. I would like to retrieve her. She can come with me when I go home."

[SunlessNick]

"If the creature has demanded you give it the urn, then pretending acquiescence to its its demand may be all that is required to lure it there," says William. "The rest of us may wait there in ambush."

OOC:   It is unlikely to escape the notice of the rest of the party that Miss Ravenscoft did not accompany William willingly - indeed he is dragging her by bound hands.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

There being, at this critical juncture, an uneasy truce between the bold adventurers and she whose unpredictable moods render her both valuable and dangerous, it seems prudent to undertake such task as has been suggested, whilst keeping close watch upon this semi-ally.

For the moment, two difficult tasks face those gathered hereabouts. Primus, to seek out and return the newly formed female creature, more that she not meet with some unfortunate fate in a harsh world of which she possesses little knowledge, than that she offer harm to another. Secundus, to lure the elder male creature with the entrapped spirit in order to call a halt to its plan of savage vengeance; a feat which, common sense dictates, requires that his current location be first determined.

Consideration of these matters is interrupted by a loud scream, clearly from the throat of a person of the male sex, coming from somewhere in the Horse Paddock, at no great distance. It ends as suddenly as it began.

[jp1885]

Lepus winces at the sound of the cut-off scream.

“Perhaps that be the reanimated lady, yesno? Be in the same direction she fled. Gallant soldier, wouldst thou be content to keep thy captive under watch in yonder shed? Noble scholar, thou and thy servant could mayhap follow the scream, whilst I look for t’other wretch?”

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, that must be her," says Henry. "I'll go find her and keep her calm. She listens to me. Come, Ivan." He and his loyal servant hurry in the direction of the scream.

[SunlessNick]

OOC:   Is the shed the same one where William found Miss Ravenscroft?

Either way, he will take her there and await the others. "What is the manner of process by which the creature can be unmade?" he asks Miss Ravenscroft (mostly because he hopes talking about her work will take her mind off of trying to escape him - he doesn't really expect to understand it).

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lepus winces at the sound of the cut-off scream.

“Perhaps that be the reanimated lady, yesno? Be in the same direction she fled. Gallant soldier, wouldst thou be content to keep thy captive under watch in yonder shed? Noble scholar, thou and thy servant could mayhap follow the scream, whilst I look for t’other wretch?”

Spoiler:

tracking is based on WIS minus 10 (!) = 18 - 10 = 8; + 2 for infrequently traveled area, and I'll thrown in + 3 for Sharp Eyes = 13[dice]0[/dice]

No doubt due to the fact that the creature's massive size causes him to leave deep footprints in the otherwise trackless wilderness of the moors, Lepus is able to follow his path. The creature raced at a great speed, judging by the damage done to such flora as inhabit the area, in an westerly direction, then turned south, remaining not far from the wall surrounding the estate. He then entered by means of the Moorland Gate, leading directly into the Horse Paddock. Continuing to follow such clues, Lepus discovers the scattered limbs, torso, and head of a manservant, clearly torn apart as the first small step in the creature's quest for vengeance.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Yes, that must be her," says Henry. "I'll go find her and keep her calm. She listens to me. Come, Ivan." He and his loyal servant hurry in the direction of the scream.

Having understandably mistaken the terrified shriek for that of a female, Doctor North and Ivan make the same grim discovery as that found by Lepus. Arriving there from a different direction, they also observe that the Paddock Gate, leading from the Horse Paddock to central portion of the estate, has been torn down. There are many hoofprints leading through this rent opening and, from there, running in multiple directions. It is not very difficult to deduce that a number of steeds sped off from this gruesome scene.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Either way, he will take her there and await the others. "What is the manner of process by which the creature can be unmade?" he asks Miss Ravenscroft (mostly because he hopes talking about her work will take her mind off of trying to escape him - he doesn't really expect to understand it).

A quick glance about the room is sufficient to determine that this structure, unlike that used by Miss Ravenscroft, contains none of the curious substances and liquids with which she was engaged in unknown activity. There is, in fact, little to be found save an old wooden chest. Judging from its sagging top, this has been more often used as a chair than as a storage place.

Adopting the bored tone of a droning instructor of some dreary topic, Miss Ravenscroft outlines a method for destroying the creature. It would be tedious to relate in detail the complete process. Suffice to say that the procedure involves capturing the creature, subduing it, placing it in a insensate condition, applying vitriol and other such corrosive substances, subjecting it to pulses of galvanic fluid, and, not least critical, dismemberment. During this dry and highly technical lecture, it becomes clear that Miss Ravenscroft has entirely forgotten what experiment is currently in progress, unobserved by mortal eye, in the other shed.

[SunlessNick]

William offers the chest as a seat to Miss Ravenscroft while they wait, uncomfortable as it may be. (And makes a mental note to ask Lord Dunwich to examine her shed later to ensure there is nothing dangerous there).

[jp1885]

Surveying the gruesome carnage, Lepus inwardly curses Ravenscroft and her creation. Bumping into Henry and Ivan, he realises his mistake.

"The handiwork of the male monster, yesno? Let us put a stop to this."

He cups his hands to his mouth and hollers:

"Ho! Cease your revenge! We have the urn!"

[Mr. Handy]

"Indeed," agrees Henry. "The female creature did not do this. I hope we can find her again later."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

William offers the chest as a seat to Miss Ravenscroft while they wait, uncomfortable as it may be. (And makes a mental note to ask Lord Dunwich to examine her shed later to ensure there is nothing dangerous there).

Miss Ravenscroft accepts the seat without complaint, and continues in the manner of a lecturer, going far afield from the question at hand, into an abstract consideration of the general principles underlying the cosmos, outlining what she believes to be a few errors of Sir Isaac Newton, expressed in mathematical terms more soporific than enlightening.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Surveying the gruesome carnage, Lepus inwardly curses Ravenscroft and her creation. Bumping into Henry and Ivan, he realises his mistake.

"The handiwork of the male monster, yesno? Let us put a stop to this."

He cups his hands to his mouth and hollers:

"Ho! Cease your revenge! We have the urn!"

Spoiler:

Strictly a matter of chance as to whether the creature is still in earshot or not. Let's say 1 = yes, 2 = no.[dice]0[/dice]

There is no apparent response, the shouts echoing off the walls of the estate as if they were the peaks of the Alps. It is possible to ascertain, however, there is a great commotion going on in the general direction of the manor home, this consisting of the agitated whinnying and stamping about of horses, as well as more distant cries from human throats.

[jp1885]

Without consulting his companions, Lepus runs towards the cacophony.

[SunlessNick]

William casually moves so that he is leaning against the door, so as to block Miss Ravenscroft's exit even if he grows deadened enough by her lecture that she decides to run. He'll keep making encouraging sounding grunts to keep her talking.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry and Ivan also rush toward the sound, following Lepus.