The Trial of Angelique

[SunlessNick]

It is true that a single silver bullet was of little effect against the beast's unnatural resistance to harm; but would continued use of such, in greater amount, be of greater use? One can only speculate.

With the beast's speed and savagery, such an effort would require several armed men, concealed in such fashion as to be able to surprise it simultaneously. When he is able, Nathan will try to convene a meeting with himself, Reverend Trask, and the town constables (should his own injuries be too great to permit participation in a second vigil, he may still assist in stragising and offer his recollections).

[SunlessNick]

"I pray for myself, kind lady. Inquire no further, for my heart is full of sin, and I fear that I am doomed to perdition." He winces a bit as he speaks this last word, clutching at his chest. "Forgive me. An injury. It is nothing." He bows his head and takes his leave.

"It cannot be thus, sir. All hearts are burdened with sin, but God hears us all if we cry out to him with true intent. I shall add my prayers to yours if it is not too presumptuous."


As a frequent participant in the care of Barnabas at the New Manor, Millicent also has an opportunity to hear of Nathan's injury and visit him in his own sickroom. "I heard of your exploit of the previous night, Na- ... Lieutennant Forbes. It does my heart good to see that thre was truth after all to the manner of man you represented yourself to be. I pray for your swift rcovery."

Nathan laughs shortly, provoking a cough. "Even after?"

"What is past must remain past. Only God can know if you repent your actions; I must hold my own faith close and forgive."

"That is kindly said," says Nathan. "But some things are past mending. You have a charge already, Miss Collins, and should save your devotion for him."

Spoiler:

Seducing Millicent again is certainly a tempting challenge, though it does battle with a few scraps of conscience. But gossips would not react kindly to, unless he took it slowly. So for now he has given the mot honourable answer he could think of in the moment, knowing it will stir her romantic heart.

[SunlessNick]

Josette is reassured by the testimony of the elder Mrs Collins and starts to breathe easier.

[Mr. Handy]

When he hears the news of Nathan Forbes being wounded by the beast, Reverend Trask asks the court to recess again and goes to visit him. "From your account, I believe you did harm the werewolf at least a little," he says. "The fact that it fled after being shot bears this out. It knew that you had the power to hurt it, so it took no chance in continuing to fight. Werewolves spend much of the time in human form, and from the locations of the attacks, I can deduce that the creature lives in the area. The damage caused by silver does not heal quickly. You must rest and recover, but I and the rest of the townsfolk can gather and examine everyone to see who has an injury in the same part of the body where you shot the beast. Then we shall have our werewolf. We could not have done this without your brave action."

[Mr. Handy]

Victoria also goes to visit Nathan Forbes and use her medical skills to treat his wound.

[SunlessNick]

You must rest and recover, but I and the rest of the townsfolk can gather and examine everyone to see who has an injury in the same part of the body where you shot the beast. Then we shall have our werewolf. We could not have done this without your brave action."

"My thanks, Reverend. The bullet struck here." Nathan indicates the place on his own body. "The flesh knitted before my eyes, so there may be little external sign. Which means the bullet may still be in him."

Victoria also goes to visit Nathan Forbes and use her medical skills to treat his wound.

Spoiler:

Intelligence 9
Rolled 1D20: 11, failure.

Nathan accepts Victoria's ministrations with thanks, wondering aloud where she learned such skills.

Spoiler:

This means that Victoria can attest that Nathan had no fear of receiving medical treatment from her, which he surely would had the suspicions he has fostered been honest ones.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

It cannot but be noticed that Miss Winter's ministrations are more than commonly effective, albeit most peculiar. The local physician casts scorn upon such nonsensical notions as forbidding bloodletting and the frequent cleansing of the wounds with spirits, which causes the patient to suffer no little pain. "Still," he admits, "I cannot argue with success." He has many a story to tell of these eccentric methods of healing, perhaps a bit exaggerated, as he slakes his thirst at the Eagle tavern.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

When he hears the news of Nathan Forbes being wounded by the beast, Reverend Trask asks the court to recess again and goes to visit him. "From your account, I believe you did harm the werewolf at least a little," he says. "The fact that it fled after being shot bears this out. It knew that you had the power to hurt it, so it took no chance in continuing to fight. Werewolves spend much of the time in human form, and from the locations of the attacks, I can deduce that the creature lives in the area. The damage caused by silver does not heal quickly. You must rest and recover, but I and the rest of the townsfolk can gather and examine everyone to see who has an injury in the same part of the body where you shot the beast. Then we shall have our werewolf. We could not have done this without your brave action."

Given Nathan's testimony as to the unnatural strength and vitality of the beast, the constabulary assembles a posse comitatus (as it is understood in English law) to track down and destroy the monster. At first, this appears to be premature, as the predations cease for a time.

Many of the men of the town are ready to bear their chests, in order to prove that they do not show any such wound as is thought to appear upon the creature whilst in human form. It must be admitted, however, that others do not, for a variety of reasons. Some dismiss the whole idea as superstitious nonsense, despite the plain evidence that contradicts their opinion; others consider their position in society to be such that they will not lower their dignity in this manner; a few simply cannot be located, drifting as they do from one place to another. Whatever the case may be, as of yet the search does not reveal a positive result. The idea occurs to some the werewolf may be of the female sex, although it did not appear to be dressed in an appropriate way, and thus it cannot be thought of to apply the aforementioned examination.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

After a few more casual meetings with the melancholy gentleman, upon one such occasion he makes so bold as to press a note into your hand, rushing off immediately thereafter.

I fear I can trust no other human soul save the only one who has spoken a kind word to me. If my hope be not misplaced, pray appear at the Eagle upon the morrow and make inquiry for me. Do not appear after sunset! With haste, Jennings.

[SunlessNick]

Spoiler:

Millicent certainly has no wish to be abroad at night. She chooses the early afternoon to visit the Eagle, hoping that most of the lunch time custom will have departed. She explains to the proprietor that she wishes to speak a Mr Jennings, whom she believes is a guest here.

[SunlessNick]

Josette thinks it unlikely that Nathan could pose a threat to Victoria while in the confines of the Manor, but is relieved to see her again nonetheless, and asks after her well-being.

[Mr. Handy]

Spoiler:

"You're quite welcome," says Victoria when they have some privacy. "I am well educated, as a governess must be. I learned my skills in New York, where I grew up. You are a brave and honorable man. I do not know why you said things about me on the witness stand that were untrue, but I believe you were doing so against your will. You know they can't be true, or you would never have trusted me to treat you. What hold does your mistress have on you, aside from you simply being her servant?"

[Mr. Handy]

Reverend Trask makes a note of the names of everyone who has refused to be inspected. "While we have not yet identified the werewolf," he says to the gathered townsfolk, "we have narrowed down the potential pool of people who could be the beast and eliminated many from consideration. All of you must pay close attention to your neighbors and those you see in your daily lives. If you have noticed someone who is injured in that location, or if you should do so in the future, please speak up."

[SunlessNick]

Spoiler:

"You're quite welcome," says Victoria when they have some privacy. "I am well educated, as a governess must be. I learned my skills in New York, where I grew up. You are a brave and honorable man. I do not know why you said things about me on the witness stand that were untrue, but I believe you were doing so against your will. You know they can't be true, or you would never have trusted me to treat you. What hold does your mistress have on you, aside from you simply being her servant?"

Spoiler:

Nathan frowns at Victoria's words. "What you say rings true. In my heart, I must believe you innocent, in spite of... But I also believe the accusations against my mistress are driven by little more than prejudice against her former station and how she has risen above it. Ben Stokes, in life and death, spoke of "she," but never a name. She is condemned by her knowedge of physic, the same skill you have just shown with myself and my master. We are expected to believe that she is cunning enough to have worked a spell on Miss DuPres through that music box, yet so foolish as to have allowed everyone to witness her give it. No, if I have indeed retained my honour through my recent troubles, then I must see her acquitted if it is within my power to do so. I know the Reverend is a good man, but he sees his witch and refuses to look further, so others must." He leans forward and clutches at Victoria's arm. "If you truly do not recall the incident of which I spoke, then I can only fear for you, Miss Winters. If my mistress hangs and these unnatural travails persist, where will suspicion turn next? You are in danger even if you do not see it."

Spoiler:

The part where Nathan outlines how he views the suspicions against Angelique are, ironically, quite true, even if this is not guiding his actions.

[Mr. Handy]

Spoiler:

"The things you testified about me did not happen," says Victoria. "I don't think my memories have been altered, but how do you know yours have not? I know for certain that there is a witch. She cast a spell over the courtroom, but we managed to break it through prayer. If Angelique is not the witch, who is she? And why would she be trying to help Angelique be acquitted?"

[SunlessNick]

Spoiler:

"The things you testified about me did not happen," says Victoria. "I don't think my memories have been altered, but how do you know yours have not? I know for certain that there is a witch. She cast a spell over the courtroom, but we managed to break it through prayer. If Angelique is not the witch, who is she? And why would she be trying to help Angelique be acquitted?"

Spoiler:

"I might as easily ask how sure you can be," says Nathan, releasing Victoria's arm. "Who is "we?" You mean you and Reverend Trask broke this spell? It could not have been meant to compel my testimony then. What if it was to prevent it?"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

The innkeeper, with a sly wink and a chuckle, leads you to the room where Jennings is staying. As he leaves you at the door, he remarks "Ye be a sight prettier and cleaner than most gals a-visiting me rooms of days. First time I ask no fee, but from now on, one-tenth of yer payment, and I'll keep a blind eye turned. Fair's fair."

Once he is out of earshot, you knock on the door. Jennings gestures you in. His clothing is in disarray, and he appears to be in some distress.

Without preamble, he indicates a set of heavy iron chains and manacles near the bed.

"Before the sun goes down, you must lock me securely in these chains. After dawn, you must unlock them. I am unable to do it myself, and there is no one else to whom I feel I may speak. Even if you think me mad, you must do as I say, if there be any hope for me at all!"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Reverend Trask makes a note of the names of everyone who has refused to be inspected. "While we have not yet identified the werewolf," he says to the gathered townsfolk, "we have narrowed down the potential pool of people who could be the beast and eliminated many from consideration. All of you must pay close attention to your neighbors and those you see in your daily lives. If you have noticed someone who is injured in that location, or if you should do so in the future, please speak up."

Spoiler:

VictoriaSilverwolf rolled 2d6:
1, 1

Well, that makes matters simpler.

After the general populace places additional pressure on their townsfolk of the male sex to prove they bear no such wound, almost all agree, even if grudgingly. In fact, only two still refuse. There is, first of all, Joshua Collins, whose freethinking philosophy leads him to dismiss the entire procedure as nonsensical, and whose status as the patriarch of the most important family in Collinsport renders him, he believes, above suspicion. There is also a certain Mister Jennings, newly arrived in town, who excuses himself from examination, pleading a delicate nature which forbids such intrusion upon his person. This immediately raises the suspicions of the village, many of whom express a desire to storm his room at the Eagle, and force him into submission.

[Mr. Handy]

Spoiler:

"I know for a fact the spell had no bearing on your testimony," says Victoria. "Reverend Trask, Josette, and I all prayed to break the spell, but it was very powerful. We only succeeded at the start of the third day. That means that your initial testimony that was stricken was given while the spell was in effect, but your final testimony was given when it was not. The spell must have had some other purpose. I know not what it was, but it is lifted now. Clearly the memories of one of us have been altered, but if it were mine, then Josette's would have had to have been altered as well, for she also knows these things did not happen. It is less difficult to alter one person's memories than two."

[Mr. Handy]

"Let us get the magistrate to sign a warrant and bring the constable to his room to serve it," says Reverend Trask. "We must of course follow the proper legal process. The constable can compel him to show his chest."