Play@YSDC

“Old Lepus has given it indigestion, yesno?” the wanderer cackles evilly. “Let us tend to our wounds and press on.”

"Indeed," says Henry. He treats Lepus's wound and then his own.

"I hope it was a spirit of some kind, not a man cursed to such a state," Eliza says. "Will your arm heal?"

It would appear that, even now, the wounds inflicted by the creature have grown lesser, perhaps a sign of its insubstantial nature. Be that as it may, the trio of adventurers make their way up the stairway, which continues for some distance, until at last it reaches an opening to the outside world, of sorts. At present, it is merely a small hole, such as might be made by a badger or similar burrowing creature. The ground surrounding it is not particularly firm, so there would seem to be little effort required to widen it sufficiently to permit egress. For the moment, it offers a welcome ray of sunshine, accompanied by a soft breeze, which is heavily scented with floral aromas. From time to time, rain falls through the hole in sudden bursts, but these do not last but a moment, and the precipitation is pleasantly warm to the touch.

“This be not Highdark,” mutters Lepus as he scrapes away to enlarge the hole. “But there may be food and shelter. Mayhap it be a pleasant place to tarry afore returning to the steps.”

OOC for everyone,I have a feeling we're about to dig our way out of a grave.

Eliza enlarges the hole as quickly as she can, drinking in the freshness of the rain-scented air. When it is wide enough to pass, she helps the others ascend before following.

"There is water too, for certain," says Henry. "Depending on where this comes out, we may not have to go back down the steps. We can find out where this comes out, and it may be faster to travel back to Highdark on the surface."

The surrounding area proves to be a place where sunshine and rain, like children at play, alternate frequently, both acting in gentle manner. Given this salubrious climate, it is no surprise to discover that Flora has proved a most generous patroness. High grass covers the ground wherever tall palms, covered with thick vines of remarkable length, allow them to grow. Between and betwixt, flowers of gaudy color and heavy fragrance adorn the land. Drawn to Nature's abundance, birds in equally bright shades dash to and fro at great speed, often crying out in loud voices, like so many drunken sailors. From time to time, a monkey -- that all-too-accurate caricature of Man! -- jumps up a peculiar plant of moderate size, neither bush nor truly a tree. This whimsical creation of the goddess of foliage bears what appear to be large, curved, yellow fruits, arranged in large bunches weighing down the plant. It is these that the primate relishes, it is easy to see.

Given the abundance of plant life, it is difficult to tell what lies at a distance in any direction. There is no apparent evidence of human habitation.

“Mayhap this be Eden, yesno?” Lepus speculates as he emerges into the light. “My stomach rumbles, but hap’ly I see no apples for the Serpent to tempt me with...”

Watching the primates before begging their pardon, he picks one on the strange yellow fruits and takes a bite.

"I have seen no creatures such as these near Highdark Hall," says Eliza.

"Perhaps we can get a better view of our surroundings by climbing a tree," suggests Henry.

jp1885 wrote: “Mayhap this be Eden, yesno?” Lepus speculates as he emerges into the light. “My stomach rumbles, but hap’ly I see no apples for the Serpent to tempt me with...”

Watching the primates before begging their pardon, he picks one on the strange yellow fruits and takes a bite.

The peculiar fruit proves to have a most bitter and unpleasant outer coating. Once this is removed, however the interior is of an appealing flavor.

The monkey, evidently of an aggressive nature, takes this as an affront to its dignity, not doubt thinking the abundance of fruit should belong to it alone. Scrambling to one of the tall trees that bear the large, furry, hard-shelled brown nuts of coco, it seizes one of these and tosses it at Lepus with a shriek.
The natural weapon, although not as deadly as the cannonball it so closely resembles, strikes Lepus upon the temple, raising a noticeable lump. Noting this victory, the monkey leaps to the ground and dances about.

Mr. Handy wrote:
"Perhaps we can get a better view of our surroundings by climbing a tree," suggests Henry.

Making use of a solid knowledge of botany, as well as the physical laws dealing with the art of climbing, Doctor North selects a particularly suitable tree, and ascends safely. From this vantage point, it is possible to see that the adventurers are currently standing upon a crescent-shaped piece of land, the interior curve of which is filled with water of unusual clarity, the said cove leading to the open sea. It is evident that this is a fine natural harbor, yet no vessels rest therein.

"Which part of the world did you say that statue hailed from?" asks Eliza. "Could we have been transported there?"

In response to the monkey's assault, she says, "Lepus, would you have me throw that back at him?"

"It does seem we have been transported to an island in the Pacific Ocean," says Henry, coming down from the tree and making sure Lepus is all right. "That statue is from there. It is Polynesian, I believe, and it is called a moai. It appears we will have to go back down and try another stairway. Monkeys have been known to throw worse things at people. Some of them fling their own waste. I think we should keep the coconut. It is excellent for nourishment and filled with milk, and we need all the food and drink we can get."

"Nay Miss Eliza, stay your hand," replies Lepus to his 'niece' while ruefully rubbing his head. "Mayhap I would act similar if strange folk were to pilfer my larder."

The wanderer nods at Henry's suggestion.

"Aye. Though a passing fisherman might happen across us, 'tis still a long journey back to England methinks. Which steps shall we ascend next?"

"Perhaps the most normal staircase will take us where we want to go," suggests Henry.

The adventurers will no doubt recall what they had previously discovered concerning the octet of stairways yet unexplored.

A staircase in which a gentle warm breeze is felt, with less force than a feather falling to earth.

A staircase somewhat broader than the others, although not so much as to allow two to go abreast.

A staircase, on the other hand, somewhat narrower, although this would not prevent even a large person to make use of it.

A staircase whose helical windings are more evident than the rest, making more turns in an equivalent climb.

A staircase whose steps are of lesser height than the remainder, although still suited to normal use.

Contrariwise, a staircase whose steps are of greater height; again, this is no impediment to their use.

A staircase with steps containing, here and there, tiny glittering places, as of bits of mica or quartz.

A staircase with pitch black areas scattered about, resembling coal.

It is a pretty problem to determine which of these might be considered the most normal.

"The damp stairs lead to the lake, the dusty stairs to yon tropical island..."

Lepus muses for a second, before shuffling to the staircase from whence a warm breeze can be felt.

"What say you? This one?"

Eliza looks longingly at the broader staircase, but nods.