Ghosts of Gauntcliff: Chapter Two

[ewancummins]

THE RUINS
Melmoth turns to leave.

Rain drops continue to fall, faster now, and heavier...

[RocEter]

"Well besides some loose stones here and there, I don't see any real traps." Thom says to everyone. As the rain begins to pick up Thom nods in agreement with Premiero. "Yes I do think it is time to return to chateau." He says.

With out waiting Thom joins Melmoth out by the mules and puts his wide brimmed hat back on his head.

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

"I am agreeing, we should be returning soon. I am not liking the idea of leaving whatever spectre lurks in that pit, but I'm liking the idea of facing it in twilight even less. At the chateau, I'll search for any lore I can find on the creature, or whatever else may be locked behind that door."

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Sancerre laughs.
"Of course. Cleaning a cavern? That is not women's work."

"You are content to have slipshod cleaning done, then?" Everline asks in a droll tone of voice. "While I am no fan of cleaning work, myself, it has been my observation that the average man likes it even less. You would need to offer goodly incentive, and hold regular inspections."

[Adam]

"I am agreeing, we should be returning soon. I am not liking the idea of leaving whatever spectre lurks in that pit, but I'm liking the idea of facing it in twilight even less. At the chateau, I'll search for any lore I can find on the creature, or whatever else may be locked behind that door."

"I'll help you," Benn agrees, "I'd suggest no one go off alone until we know more about what's going on." He strokes his mustache in irritation. "I'd like to check in on my family, as well."

[Ail]

"Let's go then" Eustace says. "I'd rather walk an hour in the rain than spend the night here, to be honest. Wisdom is the better weapon against the night, and wisdom tells we must pick the battleground to our advantage. Let's go at once."

[ewancummins]

THE BATH CAVERNS

Sancerre laughs.
"Of course. Cleaning a cavern? That is not women's work."

"You are content to have slipshod cleaning done, then?" Everline asks in a droll tone of voice. "While I am no fan of cleaning work, myself, it has been my observation that the average man likes it even less. You would need to offer goodly incentive, and hold regular inspections."

"Oh, for this area I use my special cleaning crew. Falkovnians. Very efficient, very thorough."

As she follows Denys into the next cavern, Everline finds herself growing warm. Her long hair sticks to the back of her neck.

"Here we are..."

Denys steps ahead into the widening gap, and holds up his lantern.

Through the pink haze, Everline beholds a cavern large enough to hold a cottage. The walls glitter with dozens of small mineral deposits, clumps of violet and orange crystals encrusted in the rippling flowstone. Thin, waxy stalactites hang from the ceiling like drippings from a chandelier. Half the bowl-like floor is taken up by a central pool of steaming water.

The air in the bath-cavern is very warm and humid. Everline feels her pores open, and soon her thin dress is plastered to her body.

Denys sets his lantern down on a mound of living stone.

"The waters are very warm, but they won't scald you."

He loosens his tunic at the collar and sleeves.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"I shall take your word for it, Monsieur Sancerre," Everline says, her voice serene as she looks around the cave with apparent interest, her hands still folded at her waist (and their deadly contents still safely hidden). "As I have said before, I do not plan to bathe right now. We are neither related nor wed, after all.

Hmm. I assume you had the stalagmites removed?" Everline nods at the stalactites, which seem to lack rising counterparts. "And such colourful crystals! Have they been identified? I am no rockhound, myself, but I do have an eye for beauty."

[ewancummins]

Bath cavern

Denys looks around the cavern.

"Yes, it is very pretty, isn't it? The crystals, I haven't identified them all yet. Some are quartz. We removed several stalagmites. A pity to thus mar the cave's natural beauty, but safety and comfort required it. I had them mounted in my private library, at the chateau."

He tugs at his collar, exposing a patch of reddish chest-hair.

"As for a bath, I wasn't suggesting that you strip to the buff! That would hardly be proper. You are younger than..."

His eyes suddenly water, and he turns away from Everline.

" I meant just a foot dipping. I find it quite relaxing."

He kicks off his shoes and walks over to the pool. After rolling up his trousers, he slides his feet into the water.

''Ahhhh....That's nice.''

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"A private library?" Everline repeats, and she claps her hands together in artless delight. "My dear Monsieur, I am afraid you have just called down the thunder. I am a great fan of books -- proper books, mind you, not this The Dead Travel Fast-tripe. Might I ask you for an opportunity to view your collection?"

[ewancummins]

"A private library?" Everline repeats, and she claps her hands together in artless delight. "My dear Monsieur, I am afraid you have just called down the thunder. I am a great fan of books -- proper books, mind you, not this The Dead Travel Fast-tripe. Might I ask you for an opportunity to view your collection?"

''Of course. Just allow me some time to hide my The Dead Travel Fast tripe."

Denys chuckles, shaking his head.

"You know, for a while there, I'm sure I had you spooked, mademoiselle. That was not my intention...
Okay, maybe I played up the drama a wee bit. My mischievous side might have peeked through. I was quite a prankster as a boy, before I grew up to be a serious old businessman."

He splashes his feet in the water.

''These caves are a special place. It was here I first began to truly feel young again, happy. I wanted to share that with others."

[steveflam]

Juergin ponders both choices and frowns. Thinking to himself Better to come back with more time to explore tomorrow. I would really like to go visit the library and see what I might find there.

Putting away his belongings, he begins to walk out, whispering to himself "I wonder what is behind that door unt vwat the strange scripture on de walls was?" (This is presuming that Benn or anyone else hasn't told him what they meant, of course.) Once outside, he turns to Thom. "I will begin asking questions this evening about the Abbey unt this dead girl Maggie. With luck I should get some good information. Haff you any advice for me seeing as you are more accomplished than I at getting information from people. Like I said, being young lad I might get better results than perhaps an adult, Herr Thom."

[Ken of Ghastria]

"Very well, then," says Primeiro agreeably. "Back to the chateau to explore Monsieur Sancerre's library and, considering the oncoming chill, his wine cellar. After you, gentlemen." Primeiro waits until the others have left -- he looks in the direction of the pit, his rapier still held in a deceptively loose grip -- and then he sheathes the weapon and joins the others by the mules.

[ewancummins]

Primeiro feels the small hairs on his neck rise as he watches the opening of the pit. For a fleeting moment, he sees- or imagines- two spots of bright yellow light in the black circle, like a pair of feral eyes staring at him. Then, everything is 'normal' once more.



Melmoth has moved the mules to a nearby cave mouth,screened by a stand of cypress; where he insists on waiting out the rainstorm.

''Won't last long. Mules could use the rest. You too, maybe. Nasty fall, huh? You can clean up here. Don't want to worry the womenfolk, or my boss, right?"

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"A commendable striving, Monsieur Sancerre," Everline says, and she nods to the older man. "I might even go so far as to suggest that you keep a small cave private for yourself and any close friends who might visit you; it should help preserve the mystery and the joy of the place."