Ghosts of Gauntcliff: Chapter Five

[steveflam]

"Thanks Smezel, I go now. Any advice for when I arrive there?"

The little creature blinks. ''Um, what 'advice' mean?"

"Heh, advice is something you tell me that will be helpful to me."

[Ken of Ghastria]

Primeiro

"Ah," says Primeiro, "you've finished your conversation with Elliana so... quickly." He keeps one hand near the unlit lantern and another on an adjacent shelf. In the darkness, he wants to know what's behind him. He knows that he can call his rapier to his hand in an instant.

"I'm actually glad that you're here, monsieur," he continues. "Perhaps you'd be so kind as to point out the scepter that you don't have. Whatever your reason for keeping such secrets, I have no interest in revealing them to the others. I had been planning to miraculously 'discover' the scepter." A pause. "Unless, that is, you're not interested in helping us explore ways to eliminate these 'dream demons.' That, of course, would be a problem."

[ewancummins]

PRIMEIRO-

''Elliana? She only wanted to ask if I would send my servant Diggory to help her move some furniture. She’s a ridiculous woman, but charming in her own fashion.”Denys walks around Primeiro and strikes a match in the dark. Moving his hands slowly, the big Richemuloise lights the oil lamp.

“I didn’t tell you about a magical ‘scepter’ because I don’t own any such thing. I have discovered nothing remotely like a scepter here on Gauntcliff. Would you like to steal my ceremonial mace, given to me by the Right Honorable Guild of Clothiers in Pont-a-Museau? “
He waves a meaty hand towards a silver-chased and clearly not martial mace that rests on a shelf against the back wall.

“Or perhaps my Ghastrian burglar prefers to pilfer one of my Lamordian walking sticks? At least one, that shorter piece with the rock crystal knob, is fancy enough for a boy to imagine that he is a prince when he holds it.”
He points to a tall round basket on the floor, from which protrude a number of fancy walking sticks and canes.

Denys shifts his body to face Primeiro face-on.
“You have done me a great wrong, monsieur. It is not the broken door that upsets me- but my broken trust. You are a guest in my house, and yet you skulk about and seek to steal from me. Worse, you seem to insinuate that I am acting against Benn Gehrman, a man for whom I would gladly risk my own life. He is a dear friend to me. Perhaps you do not grasp that concept, friendship. If I had discovered any magical scepter , stick, or goddamned twig on this island, Dorgio and his friends would already possess it from my hand, freely.“

[ewancummins]

BENN-

Retching, Benn backs up from the water's edge. He pulls a handkerchief from his pocket, first putting it to his nose then wrapping it around his face to block out whatever had turned his stomach.

Poison Lake, he thinks, I had hoped it was just a euphemism.

He looks wistfully between the shore and the caves he can clearly see on the other side. Perhaps I can lash together a raft, he thinks, scanning for any likely looking lumber.

Benn finds some fallen hollow trunks, dead branches, and thick vines suitable for making a raft.

Later....
Benn slumps down to rest, wheezing from his exertions and from the choking vapors of the dead lake. The sun, just a hazy spot in the gray sky, hasn't moved, although he must have worked on the raft for hours. His crude project is finished; a simple platform of logs lashed together with vines.

[Ken of Ghastria]

Primeiro--

Primeiro meets Denys' gaze. "Your assessment of me is meritless, monsieur. Had burglary been my motive in coming here, you'd be burgled. You may be correct in one respect, though. If you reward your friend by inviting him to be your guest on an island you apparently haven't explored for a relaxing weekend of fighting for his life, then truly I do not understand your definition of 'friendship.'

"Now, if you want to assist Monsieur Gehrman and his family, do not begrudge me for wanting to explore every option and for not seeking your permission at each turn. To be blunt, monsieur, when it comes to the mysteries of this island, you've demonstrated that you're no more knowledgeable than those of us who just arrived. And social etiquette must step aside for survival. Rest assured, though... I shall arrange to pay for a new door once I'm on the mainland. Assuming we live."

He looks at the mace. "From the Right Honorable Guild of Clothiers, you say? Impressive. Though, clearly, their creativity begins and ends at designing clothes." He looks back at Denys. "May I inspect it, monsieur?"

[steveflam]

JUERGIN IN THE NIGHTMARE TOWN

"Listen to me. I will go, but I want to be able to find my two good friends later. Here. Can you promise me you'll wait for me here for when I return with the fat human Benn?"

[ewancummins]

PRIMEIRO-


"Of course you may inspect the mace. Indeed, you may carry it around and wave it in the air, for all the good it will do you. I'm not concealing anything. It's not from this island, and I've no reason to believe it has anything to do with the Abbey. Take it if you wish.
As for your boasted prowesss at burglary, you might try picking the lock next time. I heard you break the door and came out of my office to investigate. "

Denys' harsh expression softens to a weary smile.

"But I percieve that you are in earnest. I forgive your trespasses. You are trying to help, as am I. You need to learn to trust me, son. "

He lays his right hand on Primeiro's shoulder.

"Don't worry about the door. It's nothing that can't be replaced. Let's work together to help our friends."

[ewancummins]

JUERGIN IN THE NIGHTMARE TOWN

"Listen to me. I will go, but I want to be able to find my two good friends later. Here. Can you promise me you'll wait for me here for when I return with the fat human Benn?"

Both creatures agree to wait for Juergin.

[steveflam]

The lad nods at both Gruz and Smezel, squeezing their shoulders gently with affection before turning and heading out.

Juergin moves off where the utensil pointed, not totally comfortable with his decision, but knows they mean well. He whispers "Move on ahead, Dark One. Find me the place we need to go."

The young Lamordian keeps to the alleys and dark alleys, moving silently and sneaking about. The odd tower soon looms before him.

[ewancummins]

Childe Jürgen to the Dark Tower Came

Jürgen approaches the massive, scarred hardwood double doors at the base of the tower. The boy sees no windows or other doors. The double door might be barred from within, but it doesn’t appear to be locked or chained shut. A heavy brass knocker in the shape of a serpent’s head hangs a couple of feet higher than the boy's height.

Dark one whispers, “There is something wrong about this place, more than even the rest of this strange city. Be careful.”

[steveflam]

Juergin nods. "Can you get inside and scope out the place? I'll try to get in and find Benn afterwards."

[ewancummins]

Juergin nods. "Can you get inside and scope out the place? I'll try to get in and find Benn afterwards."

''I can, but should we seperate again? Last time I was trapped without you. You could have died."

[steveflam]

"You're probably right. Okay. I'll try to open the door or get in through the window."

Juergin looks to see which would be easier: Get in through the window or door.

[ewancummins]

"You're probably right. Okay. I'll try to open the door or get in through the window."

Juergin looks to see which would be easier: Get in through the window or door.

He finds no open windows, only a few spaces that might have once been windows but were filled in with masonry.

[steveflam]

"Well, here goes nothing, Dark One." And Juergin tries the door.