Play@YSDC

Reuben sets off at a steady pace, forcing the companions to hurry to keep up. The moor is freezing but the investigators soon start to warm up. The journey is not difficult, but the constant negotiation of small hills and the occasional stream makes for tiring exercise. Reuben constantly chides the companions for their slowness, often looking back with an impatient expression.

About two hours later, the blackish waters of the lake of Darkmere can be seen. Parked close by, and contrasting sharply, are five brightly painted objects, which soon reveal themselves to be Gypsy caravans. Horses are tethered nearby, cropping the grass before the snow will cover it. As the investigators approach, they hear the barking of dogs.

Soon, people begin to appear. Dressed in colourful clothing, they seem gaudy and carefree. Their expressions however are wary, and they regard the companions somewhat suspiciously.

One man steps forward, a large and powerful looking individual. He has a knife sheaved at his belt, and bears a strong resemblance to Reuben, whom he addresses in what is presumably the Romany language.

Reuben answers, and the man turns to the investigators.

“Reuben said that you were kind to him, so we can extend the same to you. But what is your business here?” he asks in a gruff voice.

"Pleased to meet you," says Alexander. "I am Alexander Campbell. My companions and I seek knowledge. Knowledge of the area, knowledge of the past. In short, we seek Reuben's great-great-grandmother, the wise woman."

The man regards Alexander for a moment, then motions to Reuben and addresses him again in Rom. Reuben scampers off, shortly returning accompanied by a wrinkled, diminutive woman, who nonetheless looks intelligent and alert.

“I’m Maria Petulengro” she announces. “I hear that you want to speak to me?”

"That's right," says Alexander, bowing respectfully. "I am Alexander Campbell. My friends and I seek knowledge of the local area and history, and nobody is likely to have more knowledge of that than you."

"Well, that depends on what you want to know" replies Maria mischievously.

"Are you perhaps aware of the Allingham family?" Percy ventures.

They could hardly not be, thinks Alexander, considering how close they live. He remains silent for now, awaiting her response.

“I think you’re well aware of the fact that we know of the Allingham family” Maria laughs. “Our families have some history together, you could say”.

”So we understand,” said Captain FitzWilliam. ”We have heard about the curse that was allegedly laid upon his family.”

”Did you know that the latest Lord Allingham recently died in most gruesome circumstances?”

Why do people continually restate the obvious? wonders Alexander. Of course they're aware of it!

“Of course!” says Maria. “All the male Allinghams die before they turn forty. That’s the curse which was placed upon their family. As to the cause of his death, I wouldn’t know about that. It was none of our people, I can tell you that. Why would we need to hasten the inevitable?”

"But if the legends are true, then since Lord Bargrove was the last male heir, the curse is now fulfilled and you might consider helping us identify the culprits," Percy replies reasonably. "Perhaps all the previous deaths could be attributed to accident but this one was certainly murder. Do you know anything of Hob's Field, for instance, or druids in the area?"

Maria shakes her head. "The line could still continue. There's adoption, you know. The curse will be lifted when an Allingham man repents to us of the murder committed by his ancestor. Only then.”

“As to the death of the late lord, I can only repeat, it wasn’t us. This place is old; it’s been here far longer than any of our people. Who knows what it hides? I can only tell you this, because this is all I can sense; there is dark magic here. That’s why we don’t stay too long. It is a cursed place.”

She glances sidelong at Reuben’s father.

“You should leave now” he says. “We’ve said our piece”.

"Before we go," says Alexander, "I'd just like to ask what you know about the standing stone in Hob's Field."

“It’s a place we stay away from” says Mr. Petulengro. “Now, we’ll say good-bye”.

”Sorry,” said Captain FitzWilliam, ”But before we go, do you know the significance of the standing stone in Hob’s Field? Is it a ward against evil?”

Petulengro’s jaw hardens. He says something in Rom to one of the other men, who hurries off behind one of the caravans.

Petulengro turns back to the companions. “I just answered that question. Now get out of here before we set the dogs on you. I won’t warn you again.”

The other man shortly returns, brandishing a ferocious looking mastiff on a short lead. The other men are visibly tense.

”I asked if the stone was a ward against evil,” replied Captain FitzWilliam, calmly. ”You didn’t answer that question.” He paused for a moment, to let that sink in, then continued, ”But no matter, we will leave you now.”

He nodded a farewell and indicated to Percy and Alexander that they should leave.

Alexander nods and follows Captain FitzWilliam out of the camp.

The three men leave the camp, watched by the gypsies. They see Reuben raise his hand in farewell, then disappear into a caravan.

The walk back is even worse, as a drizzle has begun to fall, and the temperature has plummeted. By the time the companions reach Bargrove Hall, they are freezing and exhausted, badly in need of rest.

OOC,The others will probably be done soon, then we can rejoin the threads.