Book the Second, Chapter the Eleventh: A Lengthy Trek

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Book the Second, Chapter the Eleventh: A Lengthy Trek; Or, Eastward, Ho!

The arcane divinations of the hedge wizard make it clear that, as Fate would have it, the three adventurers find themselves on the extreme western edge of the island of Britain. To be precise, at the tin and copper mining area known to locals as Wheal an Giver. Given the familiarity of Lepus with the environs, he is able to communicate the information that, upon the main road leading southward lie a series of villages, followed by the considerable community of St. Just; in a southeasterly direction, a lonely path to the great harbor city of Penzance; and directly east, a curious pair of ancient stone structures known as Chun Castle and Men-an-Tol. Elsewhere, of course, all roads lead to the ceaseless churning of Neptune's realm.

It is a strange fact that Wheal an Giver, heretofore known as a place of active, if primitive, industry, appears empty of all human habitation.

[jp1885]

"'tis strange: the place be normally full of busy folk," mutters Lepus. "Be it a Sunday and they'll all a-church?"

[Mr. Handy]

"That is possible," says Henry. "We should visit the church. We must also consider the possibility that we have traveled in time as well as space, but let us hope not."

[SunlessNick]

"Will the knockers allow us to return if this is so?" Eliza asks.

[Mr. Handy]

"I think they would," says Henry, "but it may prove unnecessary. It is odd, however, that the mines do not appear to be active. Still, there may be some other explanation."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

It requires some searching to locate the single small church of the mining village. Along the way, the adventurers discover several modest cottages, none of them currently occupied. The same might be said about the smith, the fishmonger's stall, and other such necessities of life. The church itself is devoid of worshippers. Only the cries of seabirds, the whistling of the wind, and the crashing of waves disturb the silence.

[jp1885]

Lepus grumbles with puzzlement, before shrugging. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he yells:

“HALLOOOOOOO!”

[Mr. Handy]

"At least the village is still here, even if the people aren't," says Henry. "They must have gone somewhere. Let's look around for tracks. "

[SunlessNick]

Eliza looks through a few windows to see whether the villagers' belongings are present, and in what kind of order.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Lepus grumbles with puzzlement, before shrugging. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he yells:

“HALLOOOOOOO!”

The shout echoes hollowly from the surrounding cliffs and hillsides. The sound also arouses the interest of a few goats, who bleat in an entreating manner.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"At least the village is still here, even if the people aren't," says Henry. "They must have gone somewhere. Let's look around for tracks. "

Investigation reveals a miscellaneous collection of crisscrossing footprints in areas where the adventurers have not already disturbed the ground with their own tread. They do not appear to lead in any particular direction away from the village; rather, they are indicative of the normal goings to and fro of workmen and their wives, with the marking of barefooted children apparent as well.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Eliza looks through a few windows to see whether the villagers' belongings are present, and in what kind of order.

In one modest dwelling the single small table bears a bowl of porridge and a mug of ale, unconsumed. In another, a candle is nearly burnt down to the wick, although the tiny bit remaining still bears a flame. There is no evidence that brigands have disturbed the belongings of the villagers, not even the few coins found upon a merchant's shelf.

[Mr. Handy]

"Most curious," says Henry once they compare notes. "It's as though they all just vanished in the midst of whatever they were doing at the moment. Whatever happened, it must have been recent, or the candle would have already burned itself out. Perhaps the goats saw something. Can you converse with animals?" he asks Lepus.

[jp1885]

“I know not,” Lepus replies. “But I will find out.”

He wanders over to the nearest goat and bows, opening his senses, both mundane and magical.

“How goes the day? Pray tell, what has transpired here?” he asks.

[SunlessNick]

Eliza keeps her distance from the goats, aware that her presence sometimes has a discomfiting effect upon beasts. (It occurs to her that the same was true of Georgina and her infant, of whom she has oft heard the word "innocent" - it is a disquieting thought that those in a state of innocence or nature should see ill in her).

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

As one might expect, the goats prove to express themselves in a less than eloquent manner. Their actions suggest a high degree of domestication, showing no fear of these human strangers, nuzzling at them in a friendly way and bleating in a way that suggests they expect something from their guests. Upon closer consideration, they prove to be a trio of kids, and a single milch-goat. It soon becomes quite apparent that the latter is suffering from the effects of not being milked recently.

[Mr. Handy]

"We ought to milk the goat," says Henry. "It's not only good for the goat, but we could use some nourishment. Fresh goat's milk is very healthy."

[jp1885]

Lepus scouts around for a bucket and a stool.

“Old Lepus has milked more than one goat in his time,” declares the wanderer, grinning.

[SunlessNick]

Eliza watches curiously as Lepus works.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

This common chore performed, the goat's distress relieved, and the fresh milk consumed -- it has a salty tang, no doubt due to the closeness of the sea -- the milch-goat and her kids head in easterly direction at no great pace, stopping frequently to turn their shaggy heads and bleat at the adventurers in an impatient manner. It seems evident that they are used to being led back to their grazing ground after the morning's milking is done, and are somewhat dismayed by the lack of human guidance.