Mists of Winter: Chapter Three

[VAN]

Sara tightens her cloak in order to protect her guns and powder from the rain. Looking back at the trapdoor for a moment says:

"We should close as better as we can the trapdoor from outside as well. I know that Jenny can easily get out from another exit but at least nobody else will get inside by mistake. I agree that we did what we could today, we should better go back and make a plan for tomorrow. I doubt Jenny will leave so quickly she has won that round and I doubt she considers us a threat, more likely she will be preparing for our return...So we need a good plan to succeed the next time."

[alhoon]

"We learned a lot about her though. That she is tricky, that she breathes underwater, that she can turn invisible too much... and that she doesn't seem to be particularly sharp-eyed. Next time we could be better prepared."
He sighs.
"And a less eager to shoot at anything that comes at us. We should at some point, look for that young man and give him a proper burial" Raen suggests.

[VAN]

"We need to add the mind games and the charming ability and we have a pretty good idea of her powers I think."

[Adam]

"I'm concerned about those dockworkers that guided us here," Benn says, "She could take her anger out on them, if they're still waiting for us near the entrance."

[ewancummins]

Vlad walks over to Benn.
''Thank you.''
He nods towards Kat and Franz, each in turn.

To the gathering, he says,
''Benn is right, We must be warning the men at the docks. And the elf is right, he must be looking after the men who were with him.''

He looks across the muddy fields. north toward the city.
"It's not that far. We could go on foot, leave now. Too bad we've got no horses."

[alhoon]

Raen nods. "Let's go"

[RocEter]

"I do not think, this Jenny, will stay. Her lair has been compromised, she is too intelligent for that." Galandel says. "I would like for someone to return with me, I am sure Baronet Sicart would like to know more. Clearly I have happened onto a more dangerous hunt then I thought."

When Galandel asks for some one to accompany him, he looks towards Benn and Dorgio.

[kintire]

Kat looks at worst mildly irritated by the rain, perhaps because after wading into the flooded tunnel after jenny she cannot get much wetter, but still remains alert.

"I can go and warn those dockworkers if you like. I don't know how intelligent this Jenny is, but I bet we are better off now that she's short one giant! Still, she strikes me as the vengeful type. I'd abandon swimming as a hobby!"

She turns and begins to squelch back towards the city, scabbarding her rapier and tugging her cloak around her shoulders

[Adam]

"I do not think, this Jenny, will stay. Her lair has been compromised, she is too intelligent for that." Galandel says. "I would like for someone to return with me, I am sure Baronet Sicart would like to know more. Clearly I have happened onto a more dangerous hunt then I thought."

When Galandel asks for some one to accompany him, he looks towards Benn and Dorgio.

"Of course," Benn responds, "We need to get Vlad somewhere dry anyway."

[steveflam]

Kat looks at worst mildly irritated by the rain, perhaps because after wading into the flooded tunnel after jenny she cannot get much wetter, but still remains alert.

"I can go and warn those dockworkers if you like. I don't know how intelligent this Jenny is, but I bet we are better off now that she's short one giant! Still, she strikes me as the vengeful type. I'd abandon swimming as a hobby!"

She turns and begins to squelch back towards the city, scabbarding her rapier and tugging her cloak around her shoulders

"I vill accompany you, Frau Kat," Franz says and moves off in her direction, keeping pace.

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

"Yes, we need to be sealing this cave off and warning those nearby, both the dock workers and Galandel's allies. When we hunt her again tomorrow, there are measures we can take. Prayers to help us control the flow of water in a place like this. They may come in quite useful."

He pauses to run a hand over his mouth, wringing water from his mustaches. "there was something esle I saw as well, the man we killed, floating in the water, then snatched by something unseen. What it portends, I not not, save that Jenny has future plans for the body."

"Benn, you found tarokka cards on that body, yes? I am wondering if they may prove useful..."

[ewancummins]

LATER...

KAT AND FRANZ, THE SOUTHEAST WATERFRONT
Kat and Franz have been soaked to the skin, despite their cloaks, by the time they cross the outlying fields, pass the old city wall, and reach the south docks along the boardwalks.
Swift water hums under the boards; the river rides higher than Kat has seen it in years.
And still the rain falls.
Kat spots the Portmaster’s men seated under the awning of a nearby shop, on the street above the boardwalk. They sit facing out, cloaks muffled about their bodies, watching the swollen river.
Munchen barks, running along the zigzag wooden steps and ramps, up the steep upper floodwall and onto the street.
When Franz and Kat follow and reach the top, they find the men waiting for them, out from under the awning. One man feeds Munchen a flitch of bacon.
The sergeant, cigar long since chewed to a nubbin, waves Kat and Franz closer. “We thought you’d drowned! Went down on the bank for a look, but the water was too high, so we had to give it up.” He looks about, scowling.
“Where are the others?”



THE OTHERS, THE MANOR HOUSE
Following Galandel overland, cutting through some light brush and hiking through a muddy field, the party soon comes to a handsome old manor home, dead ivy clinging to the ancient masonry walls.
Lights glow behind the shuttered windows. Gal knocks, the door opens.
And elderly serving-man rushes the party within the house and slams the heavy door behind them.

The old servant takes their cloaks and seats the wet travelers in the side parlor. Warmth radiates from a potbellied iron stove in one corner of the rustic little sitting room.


No sooner than the cloaks have been doffed and put away, a lean man dressed in hunting gear, neat gray beard and handsome aquiline features, steps into the chamber form the hall. A hunter’s short sword dangles from his belt.
“Galandel! It’s good to see you. I was organizing a search party, but it seems now that won’t be necessary. Thank goodness”

He turns towards the others and says,
“I am Baronet Sicart. Welcome to my home. Would anyone like some brandy?”

[Adam]

Bennedict stands to greet their host. "I am Bennedict Gehrman. Pleased to make your acquaintance. He bows. "And brandy would be wonderful to take away this chill, thank you."

He gestures towards the elf. "We are former companions of Galandel's, and it is interesting circumstance that we should meet back up today. May I ask what brought your group here?"

[ewancummins]

BARONET SICART'S PARLOUR



The Baronet retrieves an amber bottle from a wall cabinet and pours brandy for Benn, himself, and anyone else who cares to partake.
''There, this out to put the fire back in our stomachs."

The gentleman sips his liquor, sighs, and settles into an overstuffed arm chair near the door.
"Now, then, Monsieur Gerhman, you asked how my group came here. Well, as you can see, this is my home. I've had reason to believe someone has been stealing supplies from my storehouses, maybe poaching on my lands. Galandel looked into the matter for me, and discovered signs of a break-in at my millhouse--which stands idle these past weeks of cold, icy weather. Nothing to grind. He tracked a trespasser from near the millhouse towards my north pastures. But, how was it you said, Galandel-- the tracks vanished after signs of a struggle. Hunting further..."
The Baronet squints as if concentrating.
''He found an empty boot on the ground. And near that, a trap door set under the old boundary fence of my property. He went into the passage and found a man on the floor, you fellows engaged in a battle with some sort of eye-devils. Ghastly things! I stared right into-- but I'm getting ahead of myself. Galandel, maybe you'd better tell the rest of this. You were there and I wasn't."

[steveflam]

KAT AND FRANZ, THE SOUTHEAST WATERFRONT
Kat and Franz have been soaked to the skin, despite their cloaks, by the time they cross the outlying fields, pass the old city wall, and reach the south docks along the boardwalks.
Swift water hums under the boards; the river rides higher than Kat has seen it in years.
And still the rain falls.
Kat spots the Portmaster’s men seated under the awning of a nearby shop, on the street above the boardwalk. They sit facing out, cloaks muffled about their bodies, watching the swollen river.
Munchen barks, running along the zigzag wooden steps and ramps, up the steep upper floodwall and onto the street.
When Franz and Kat follow and reach the top, they find the men waiting for them, out from under the awning. One man feeds Munchen a flitch of bacon.
The sergeant, cigar long since chewed to a nubbin, waves Kat and Franz closer. “We thought you’d drowned! Went down on the bank for a look, but the water was too high, so we had to give it up.” He looks about, scowling.
“Where are the others?”

Franz eyes each man, including the sergeant with a scrutinizing glance. Having been a soldier under the Talons and their rigorous training permitted him to do so. Besides the sergeant, he wasn't too impressed with the rest of the men.

"Tank you for deiner snack for Munchen" he acknowledges the man who offered Munchen the bit of bacon. Looking to the sergeant he smiles.

"Ve are not dead. Dey are elsewhere unt safe for de moment, pursuing other avenues uff investigation. Both the Fraulein unt I haff come to varn you, unt your, uh, men about dis Jenny. She had a, vell a Ginat I guess is de best vurd, helping her from vut ve learnt. Ve haff just come to varn you to be careful. She might target you unt your men. De Giantt is now deceased."

Franz' demeanor to the Sergeant about the mans men are subtle, but the Falkovnian can tell the man will note it. He has deducted that the man is experienced and trained well enough and will deduct the same thing about Franz and his experience.