Play@YSDC

”I understand that his Lordship was unpopular with the villagers because of his attempts to introduce new farming methods,” said Captain FitzWilliam. ”Are you able shed any further light on that, and do you think it may have been a contributory factor in his murder?”

Isolde raises her eyebrows at the description and looks askance at Alexander. This was no ordinary murder! And it sounded very much like a ritual killing after all. But she says nothing aloud that the stalwart policeman might hear.

Hallifax shakes his head.

"I don't think it was one of the locals who would do for him like that. Although admittedly, he was not a popular personage. My money's on one of those he hired to pull down that stone, but we ‘aven’t been able to prove anything.”

Everyone,All are welcome to roll Archaeology, Anthropology or Occult on hearing of the details of the murder.

"Which stone was this, sir?" Percy asks, flipping back through his notebook. "Do you mean the new arrivals in the village?"

"Aye, we havena heard about this before," says Alexander. "Was it the very stone where he was found?"

OOC,Occult roll (5% base skill) about the murder details: [dice]0[/dice]

Hallifax nods. “The standing stone in Hob’s Field. Of course, it wasn’t standing when Lord Bargrove was murdered on it. He had ordered it pulled down as it was in the way. He wanted to start cultivating that field, so he asked those he hired to do it.”

”Presumably this stone was of some significance to the locals?” mused Captain FitzWilliam.

”Is there anywhere we can find out more about the stone and what it was used for?” he asked Halifax.

“Well, the villagers are a superstitious bunch when it comes to that place; they won’t have anything to do with it, which is why ‘is Lordship had to go elsewhere for labour. I don’t think the stone is used for anything, it’s just a stone.”

Hallifax shrugs – the matter doesn’t seem important to him.

“I’m sure it must have been one of those newcomers, but there’s just no proof.” He shakes his head is a bemused fashion.

"I suspect the same myself," says Alexander. "His pulling down of the stone may be the motive. Perhaps one of the newcomers was superstitious as well and didn't agree."

”Is there a library in the town?” asked Captain FitzWilliam. ”We might find something about the standing stones in the area. It’s the sort of things that historians are apt to investigate.”

"This doesn't make sense." Says Isolde. "A newcomer wouldn't know the significance of the stone so why would they murder him in such a way just there. Surely a hit on the head with a shovel would be easier and then drag the body to a bog. No, I think we need to examine the stone and consider how he died especially."

Occult,(41%) roll: 23

Hallifax shakes his head. “There’s no library here."

He looks incredulous. "You really think it has something to do with that stone?"

Isolde,A thought occurs to Isolde – the murder seems reminiscent of the ‘triple death’ sacrifice, practiced by the druids of the ancient Celts.

Isolde shakes her head, "No Constable, It's probably just coincidence but the murder does seem rather elaborate. I think we would all like to view Hobb's Field and the place where Lord Allingham died."

The companions return to the coach and follow Hallifax on his bike as he slowly pedals back in the direction of Bargrove, taking care of the ice.

They pass the entrance road to Bargrove Hall and go through the village itself. The field is about two miles beyond – McKenzie points it out as they approach. It is surrounded by hawthorn hedges and unlike the other nearby fields is uncultivated.

The party stops outside and dismounts. Entering the field, the companions can see in one far corner a crudely-shaped grey stone monolith, about ten feet high. As they approach upon the frozen ground and are able to see it better, it is plain that the stone is unmarked, but looking closely they can see that there are signs of scorching on the ground and the stone itself.

As they cross the field and are now not so close to the policeman, Isolde says in a low voice,
"I didn't want to say in front of the constable but I've read about very similar deaths before. It's unlikely the police would tolerate my theory however. Ugh, these thistles go right through my boots!"

She looks up at the stone. "Didn't the report say the body was found atop the stone? It's almost ten foot high!"

"I believe the stone had been taken down by the time of the murder," says Alexander. "It was certainly that way in my dream, though I've no idea how I could have kent that. This means that someone stood it up again afterwards. That would have taken considerable effort. I suppose it's possible for one man with enough leverage to have done it."