Book the Second, Chapter the Eleventh: A Lengthy Trek

[Mr. Handy]

"Good day, sir," says Henry, approaching one of the stonecutters who is taking a break, Ivan in tow. "I hope your journey has been a good one. Please, tell us what awaits on the road ahead."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Naught save single village. In truth, road be poor, and hired we be to work great stone into little, so it be better laid." Nodding to Ivan, he adds, "Such as ye might earn coppers if can wield hammer. Inquire of headman."

Whilst this conversation takes place, Lepus is unable to detect any trace of evil (if fondness for drink, gaming, and lechery not be considered such.)

[jp1885]

Remembering how his muscles bulged after touching the strange meteorite back at the Highdark estate, Lepus shambles into view.

“Mayhap old Lepus can help too, if we be in the business of aiding these folk.”

[Mr. Handy]

"That is a good thought," says Henry. "I lack the strength for my work, but my servant Ivan certainly has it, and so does my daughter Eliza. If they are willing, they can assist."

[SunlessNick]

"Certainly I shall," says Eliza, overcome with sudden curiosity as to how these men will react to witnessing her strength.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

There is much amazement at the feats of strength performed by the three volunteers, and the boulder is soon reduced to gravel of the proper size. The men haul it away in large sacks, to be laid upon the road. Whilst engaged in this labor, one of the workers spies a small reptilian creature that has emerged from the depression in the ground left behind by the removal of the boulder. It is a lizard-like beast, with curious star-shaped markings upon its back.

"What's this, then?" The fellow, evidently of a curious nature, bends down to get a closer look.

[jp1885]

“Be careful, yesno?” warns Lepus, shambling closer to the fellow so that he is ready to assist. “We know not its nature.”

Mayhap the effects of his detect evil spell are still lingering?

[Mr. Handy]

"Fascinating," says Henry, studying the reptile from a safe distance. "I've never seen a creature like this." He racks his brain for anything similar he knows from nature, trying to classify it.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

“Be careful, yesno?” warns Lepus, shambling closer to the fellow so that he is ready to assist. “We know not its nature.”

Mayhap the effects of his detect evil spell are still lingering?

There is no sense of good or evil to be detected near the creature; a result to be expected from one of Nature's dumb beasts, who act only as their Creator has seen fit to direct them.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

d20

Although not directly familiar with such an animal, Doctor North is able to notice a certain resemblance to a curious reptile, reported in a manuscript from a Spanish missionary (and amateur naturalist) which is said to dwell in the most desolate places in the southwestern region of the New World, and to which he has given the name lagarto monstruo.

[jp1885]

“‘tis no basilisk at least,” Lepus announces, peering curiously at the lizard. “But be cautious nonetheless.”

To satiate the beast, Lepus tosses it a scrap of food.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry tells the others about his analysis of the creature. "The real curiosity is not its existence," he says, "but how it came to be here, so far from its natural habitat. Perhaps it came here in a similar manner to us."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The creature shows no interest in the bit of food, displaying no response at all, as if it does not recognize it as edible.

One of the workmen bends down to examine the strange animal more closely. In response, flames erupt from the stars on its back, completely covering the creature. The workman jumps back, his beard smoking until another hastily beats it out, burning his hands in the process. The reptile scurries about, setting the grass aflame. Soon this spreads, threatening to engulf the nearby woods. The sacrifice of the workmen's bucket of ale diminishes this risk somewhat, not without complaint for those most fond of beer, but not to any great extent.

[Mr. Handy]

"Fire needs oxygen to burn," says Henry. "Overturning the empty bucket and covering the creature with it would keep it from igniting anything. Of course, it needs oxygen to live, so that would also kill it. I've never seen a creature with these properties before, and it would be a shame if it died. On the other hand, I would be able to dissect it and learn more about it in that case."

[jp1885]

“Make an air hole in the bucket mayhap,” Lepus suggests.

If the fire still looks threatening, he’ll ask the quarry men to fetch a broadcloth to smother any burning patches.

[SunlessNick]

Is there water nearby?

[Mr. Handy]

"Making a hole in the bucket defeats the purpose of using it," says Henry. "If air can get in, the reptile can ignite fires."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

This point being debated, the bucket that once held common ale is placed over the creature, with some difficulty. Meanwhile, the smoldering patches of grass are extinguished in one manner or another. There is a source of running water at some little distance away, and sufficient containers of one form or another to secure a modest supply. (The workmen being well aware that ale is far safer to drink than water, the latter subject to contamination with injurious substances that the former is not, do not normally rely on water to quench their thirst, and so carry none.)

Wisps of smoke emerge from the rim of the upturned bucket, it being of rough make and therefore not absolutely flat, so that there are tiny irregularities where it stands upon the ground. The wood of the bucket itself begins to char.

[SunlessNick]

"Would throwing water on it end this reaction?" Eliza asks, readying whatever amount remains from the stream.

[jp1885]

“Aye, sad that it might injure the beast, but ‘twould dowse the flames,” says Lepus.