Mists over the Musarde, Chapter Two

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

With a fresh bundle of herbs and salves under his arm, Dorgio knocks on the door to the Sancerre residence. Once inside, he will greet Denys with a tired smile. "Ah, hello my friend! Have the others arrived yet?"

He walks in, and sees the others. He greets the ladies with a low bow, then turns his attention to Jon. "Keep this salve over the wound," he tells the ratcatcher, "and press these leaves over the salve. They should draw out the sickness. Let me know if it prevails."

[ewancummins]

Evangeline smiles slightly at Jon's display of good manners. She replies in a formal, but friendly fashion-
''I'm delighted to have made your acquaintance, monsieur.''

She tells Norzak-

''I've been well. I trust it is the same with you, Norzak?''

Denys says to Dorgio-

''I don't know if the others are coming. The formal luncheon is to be held tomorrow- but of course everyone is very welcome to visit anytime! ''

The young girl, Marie, approaches Jon and Norzak.

'' When are you going to come to take me back to my maman and papa?''


About this time, Hannah, the older servant woman, enters the room and announces-

''Monsieur Smythe is here.''

[ewancummins]

Once the greetings and pleasantries have been exchanged and everyone is gathered together [save for Cirdan and Benn, who are absent], Denys announces-

''I'm glad that you have all come to visit. I regret to say that business will be taking me away from my home for some time today. I'll need to leave in a little while.''
''
You may all stay here as long as you like, of course. Don't allow my absence to spoil a good time, eh!''

''Oh, as for taking Marie home- you may use my coach and four. I'll have Ambrose bring it 'round. That's much faster than walking to her parents' farm, I'm certain.''


''I hope to see all of you tomorrow at the luncheon. If you see Sir Cirdan and Bennedict, please make certain they come, as well- if circumstances permit. Thank you, friends.''

[JMaytr]

Jonathan takes the salve from Dorgio and applys it to his hand.

"Thank you friend." Jonathan smiles at Dorgio. The salve was cool to his skin. "I will tell you if anything happens. I've been meaning to ask you, how is it that you are so learned in the ways of healing? I have heard of men called priests, the miricle workers of the gods. Are you such a holy man? I have never been to a church. Bennidict is at the Ezra temple archives now, I so wanted to see the inside of that place."

Jonathan liked the surroundings of the Sancerre estate. He looked forward to comming back.

[Le Noir Faineant]

Giving you another suprising sensation of how he might have entered the house while you all were here,
Cirdan suddenly stands in the door.

He and Denys exchange a look, then both nod and smile.

"Hello alltogether, sorry for the delay, I had some affairs to settle."

You might notice that the elf doesn't carry the treasure chest around any more...

[ewancummins]

Evangeline begins to rush towards Sir Cirdan- the stops in her tracks. She blushes. After an awkward moment standing in the middle of the room, she resumes walking towards him at a more dignified pace.

''Sir Cirdan, I'm very happy to see you. I do hope you are well enough to accompany me today. I've decided to go along with Marie, when your friends take her home. ''

She turns to her father with a smile and asks,

''That's alright isn't it father?''
Denys laughs and says-
''Well, so long as you've a proper escort. I trust these men to keep you safe. Hannah can go along ,too. ''

Evie thanks her father-

''Oh, thank you, father! It will be so lovely to see the countryside. The autumn is my favorite time of year, you know.''

Denys adresses the party as a whole-

''How many of you will be escorting Marie to her parents'
farm? If you need a second coach, I can have Ambrose arrange it.''

He adds-

''And if you are eager to see the archives, Jon, why not ride in comfort? My coach can convey you there after you return young Marie to her family.''

[steveflam]

"I's been fine, lil missy. Glad ta see yer doin' okay. You too Charlotte."

"Yeah, Marie, we's takin' ye home to ye ma n da like I telled ye I would."

Once Sancerre had finished arranging for coaches, he looks to the others. "Well it looks like Marie gonna arrive home in style, bubs! Thanks Denys, I's sure Marie's ma n da will be mighty appreciative 'o yer generosity. So y'all ready? Why don' we get 'er back home, shall we?"

He stands and begins heading towards the door where Cirdan stands. He waits for the half elf to move before passing through, just nodding to him.

[Adam]

Bennedict frowns thoughtfully at the incident report. In his mind, he recalls the stories from the North Country, where children were locked away in chambers as sacrifice to the plague god. He jots a quick series of notes onto a scrap of paper to this effect, with a reminder to cross reference later.

He then tears another blank strip from the back of the journal, writing down a quick list. The paper reads "Topics of Interest: City Sewer Records (especially from before occupation of the city), Incabulos, Druagr,Wolutha" as well as a reference to the boy from the records he discovered. Ringing a bell, he summons a lay priest. "Be a good lad," he says, "and give this to Brother Willen. He knows the archives better than I, and he'll be more likely to find something." Once the play priest leaves, he waits a moment, and then starts scanning the shelves quickly and discreetly, looking for any sign of scrolls or prayerbooks which may contain incantation of power he didn't already know. It would be a shame to waste the opportunity he thinks, and it's not like they're doing anyone any good down here gathering dust.

[JMaytr]

"Ah Sir Cirdan! Norzak and I prepare to leave, but I was curious as to the uh...goods we recieved from Louie. We should like to gain our cut now please. I know I could use some more food and perhaps boots with no holes in them."

Jonathan looks to the knight, waiting for his payment.

[ewancummins]

Once the play priest leaves, he waits a moment, and then starts scanning the shelves quickly and discreetly, looking for any sign of scrolls or prayerbooks which may contain incantation of power he didn't already know. It would be a shame to waste the opportunity he thinks, and it's not like they're doing anyone any good down here gathering dust.

Benn finds a number of scrolls and a couple of prayerbooks that look promising...

[OOC- Check your PM box]

[ewancummins]

[the archives beneath the Cathedral]

Benn is busily copying sections of the texts into his notebook. As he scribbles, something distracts him- a small, swift shadow moving just at the edge of his field of vision.

[Le Noir Faineant]

''Sir Cirdan, I'm very happy to see you. I do hope you are well enough to accompany me today. I've decided to go along with Marie, when your friends take her home. ''

Cirdan politely bows to Evangeline, and without a word, takes her hand up and kisses the fingers.

"I would give my life to protect you... All of you, my friends."

"Ah Sir Cirdan! Norzak and I prepare to leave, but I was curious as to the uh...goods we recieved from Louie. We should like to gain our cut now please. I know I could use some more food and perhaps boots with no holes in them."

[Batman laughter:] "Hahaha... Everything at the appropriate time, comrade!"

[steveflam]

"Awright, well I's promised Marie she'd get home, so less go 'n' tek 'er 'ome. Thanks agin fer the coaches, Denys. Nice ta 'ave the lassie arrive at 'er 'ome in style. She earned it. Marie, are ye comin', Lass?" The dwarf moves to Marie and takes her by the arm, moving towards Cirdan and the way out.

"Jon, let's go. The elf is honorable, lad, he'll give out the shares for the chest in private, not in front 'o' others, ok?" He doesn't even look at the half-elf as he passes him with Marie on his arm. The dwarf moves past Cirdan and exits the manor, waiting for the others. "Ye'll be home soon enough, lassie" he tells her reassuringly. "I telled ye I'd get ye home safe."

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Dorgio pauses at Jon's question—the priest looks genuinely surprised, as if he'd expected none of them to ask about his religion. "My friend, I do not know how holy I am, but I do have certain talents, works I may perform for the Morninglord." He gestures to the tattoo on his left hand, which depicts a rising sun. "Benn, he has the talent too, though I am thinking he is not quite a man who follows a faith.

"And perhaps we should stop by the archives and see what Benn has turned up, after we have seen Marie to safety." He looks at Marie and then smiles, almost apologetically. The gruesome images of the murdered girl at the brothel must haunt her dreams as surely as they do his, he thinks.

[ewancummins]

at the archives-

Getting up from his chair to look around, Benn is able to satisfy himself that he is quite alone in the room. Holding up the oil lamp which provides the only illumination for the room, he peeks into the alcoves and behind the stacks of books and scrolls. He sees nothing unusual- just dusty stacks of books, old furniture, and bare walls. The oil lamp seem to be running very low on fuel, for its light is growing dimmer by the minute.

As Benn is about the turn back towards his chair at the table, he becomes aware of a noise coming from somewhere behind him- a shuffling, scraping sound accompanied by heavy breathing.. Just then, the light from the lamp fails, plunging the underground library into compelete darkness.