Book the Second, Chapter the Eleventh: A Lengthy Trek

[jp1885]

Lepus scrutinises each stone in turn. Can he discern any feminine features? Moreover, do any of the stones exude an aura of evil?

[SunlessNick]

Eliza looks to see if any of the stones are notably larger or smaller than the others.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry studies the layout of the stones, trying to discern any pattern that might set nine of them apart from the other ten.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Close examination by Lepus fails to detect any trace of evil within the stones themselves, although there is a sense that something unpleasant occurred here a very long time ago.

Whilst making a scientific examination of the stones, their pattern reminds Doctor North of an illustration found in a curious German volume in which he glanced some years ago.



The caption may be translated as Boskednan Stone Circle, with the indicated markings described the locations of standing stones (black circles), stones fallen to the ground (white circles), and incomplete, damaged, or missing stones. (It is obvious that the original number must have been some twenty-two, to complete the circle, and that three of these have been taken away, no doubt to make use of their valuable granite.) If one disregards those that are incomplete, one sees that there are two fallen surrounding one standing to the northwest, two fallen next to one standing to the west, and five standing at other places, two in pairs and one alone. If there are indeed Nine Maidens, then two of the complete stones must not be amongst their number.

As to the question of size, as inquired by Ekza, there is not great different amongst them, although it is noticeable that those fallen are somewhat larger then their companions. This may bring to mind the words of David, as recorded in Scripture, How are the mighty fallen in the midst of battle!

[Mr. Handy]

Henry fills the others in on his conclusions. "It may be that the other two maidens were among the three stones taken for their granite," he says. "We should be able to address any of the remaining seven. Perhaps the one standing alone? It seems to be unique."

[SunlessNick]

Eliza nods and makes her way over to the stone. "Perhaps it will be pleased to be addressed by a fellow maiden," she says, with no sign of recognition of how incongruous the term is with her unnatural appearance. "Greetings ancient lady, might I and my companions speak with you a while?"

[jp1885]

Lepus watches carefully.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Eliza nods and makes her way over to the stone. "Perhaps it will be pleased to be addressed by a fellow maiden," she says, with no sign of recognition of how incongruous the term is with her unnatural appearance. "Greetings ancient lady, might I and my companions speak with you a while?"

A voice that suggests the moaning of one locked away in a dark and web-shrouded dungeon seems to come from the very air itself above the solo standing stone.


who is it that wakens me?

[jp1885]

Lepus continues to watch, not wishing to interrupt Eliza. However he stands ready, lest his experience of conversing with supernatural entities is required.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry also waits for Eliza to speak for herself, though he does realize she still has things to learn about diplomacy. He learned long ago that one does not tell a lady that she is ancient.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Whilst waiting for their companion to respond, the others note a curious shifting of the ground beneath them, as if some troglodytic being of considerable size were moving within the Earth. This causes slight movements in the stones that remain standing.

[jp1885]

“We be but humble travellers, seeking the Maidens,” says Lepus, trying to locate the source of the upheaval.

[SunlessNick]

"My name is Eliza. I hoped we might ask you of recent events here."

[Mr. Handy]

"And I am her father, Dr. Henry North," adds Henry, noting the tremor with interest. "We are looking for some missing people, and we were hoping you had seen them, or that you might know where they went."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

gone below, from whence none return

As if in response this alarming statement, from beneath the ground there emerges a curious shiny orb, roughly the size of a coach. It is only after some observation that it becomes apparent that it is a single eye, the sable pupil surrounded by a gray iris, and that by a yellow sclera, marked by several blood-red lines. It is apparent that it belongs to whatever being is responsible for the shaking of the Earth.

[jp1885]

Lepus bows, as if talking to a gigantic subterranean entity is a usual occurrence.

“It is pleasing to make thine acquaintance. We seek to return the missing folk to their humble abodes.”

[Mr. Handy]

"Indeed," says Henry, looking at the strange creature with fascination.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

It would appear that whatsoever being is thus equipped with such a ponderous orb is either unwilling or unable to communicate in a civilized fashion. Rather, the enormous eye rises further from the ground, revealing that it is the sole object of vision possessed by its owner, who is currently visible only as an extremely hairy head supported by equally hirsute shoulders, vaguely man-like in form but of grotesque proportions. The said being possesses a cavernous mouth, from which it produces a ear-splitting roar. Its movements, shaking the ground as they do, and the power of its lungs, cause one of the standing stones to topple over to join the other that have thus fallen.

[jp1885]

“This be no lady!” cries Lepus.

“Mayhap we must be as Jack or David and defeat the brute afore we can converse further.”

[Mr. Handy]

"Let us not be too hasty," says Henry. "I think that mouth is where those people went. I think they were carried below within it. Let us ask the maidens to confirm this."