Ghosts of Gauntcliff: Chapter Six

[Adam]

He grunts and drops it back to the floor before returning to his desk.

[ewancummins]

Jeurgin's room-

Dorgio thinks he sees something move in the shadows under the bed. Whatever it is, it looks much too big to be a mouse or rat. Could be a housecat...

[ewancummins]

Benn's room

He grunts and drops it back to the floor before returning to his desk.

Benn hears a muffled cough from the direction of the bed, followed by the press of feet on the floorboards. Charlotte comes up behind him and lays her bandaged hands on his shoulders.

"Will it be soon, dear?"

Her voice is stronger today. Last night she sounded like a frightened little girl, almost hysterical.

[Ken of Ghastria]

Denys' cool composure flickers for just a second.

''It knows you? A former servant of your father, you say? Now that is interesting."

The big man sets down his wine cup.

"Hmm-- I don't recall meeting any servants named Frederic or Redrick or anything like that. Perhaps I did meet him, but never learned his name. Or maybe I missed him. Perhaps he left your father's service years before I met you father. You say he was dismissed when you were a boy? Just how long ago did he leave?"

Primeiro pauses to consider this. "I would hazard that happened fifteen years ago, give or take a year. Some time after that, he apparently ended up on Gauntcliff. How he gained this power after death -- assuming, of course, that this is an undead spirit -- I don't know. Still, considering everything that's been done so far, i find it hard to believe that he didn't have mortal assistance. Else why would a spirit tie and gag Benn's child?" He again watches Sancerre's face for a reaction.

[ewancummins]

THE TERRACE

Denys' cool composure flickers for just a second.

''It knows you? A former servant of your father, you say? Now that is interesting."

The big man sets down his wine cup.

"Hmm-- I don't recall meeting any servants named Frederic or Redrick or anything like that. Perhaps I did meet him, but never learned his name. Or maybe I missed him. Perhaps he left your father's service years before I met you father. You say he was dismissed when you were a boy? Just how long ago did he leave?"

Primeiro pauses to consider this. "I would hazard that happened fifteen years ago, give or take a year. Some time after that, he apparently ended up on Gauntcliff. How he gained this power after death -- assuming, of course, that this is an undead spirit -- I don't know. Still, considering everything that's been done so far, i find it hard to believe that he didn't have mortal assistance. Else why would a spirit tie and gag Benn's child?" He again watches Sancerre's face for a reaction.

''A spirit would not tie and gag a child, most likely. Although..."

Denys frowns and rubs his forehead.

" I have read at least one account of a ghost that could manifest in fleshy form. I have no idea if such things are real, or merely legend. I'm not an expert on ghosts, not by any means. Benn and Dorgio know a lot more about that subject."

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Dorgio blinks hard at whatever is under the bed. A cat, perhaps...but then what of his gold?

He turns to Juergin then. "My friend, something strange is going on here. I am sensing I am not being told the entire truth...and there is something in here with us...something unnatural. I am thinking it would be best for you to be letting me know what is going on."

[steveflam]

Juergin blushes, but says nothing. He looks at the floor, unsure but sure at the same time. "Listen, Dorgio, I might have told you a little white lie about Gruz and Smezel. Promise me you won't do anything and remain calm, otherwise I say no more."

[RocEter]

VIEW CONTENT:

A short while later, at sea...

Petrie leans on the oars, resting as the wind fills the sails.
''Well, Thom, the wind is blowing in the right direction, and it's a fine lovely day. Aye, and would you look at that..."
He turns his face back toward Gauntcliff, where the receding dunes and scarps lie half-hidden in a veil of pearl gray sea-mist.

‘’So, what do you know about our destination? I’ve never visited it.”

Looking back at the receding dunes of Gauntcliff Thom says nothing, he admires the scenery for a bit and than turns his attention back to Petrie. "I haven't been there myself, so I only know what I heard and the little I have read. Which is to say, I don't know much at all. I will say this though, we'll be glad Sancerre gave us plenty of food." He tells Petrie.

"I just we can find something to help the others out."

[Adam]

Benn gingerly lays his hand over Charlotte's injured fingers. "I've sent a letter to Herr Sancerre expressing our desire to depart immediately. We'll be gone as soon as we can, dear."

[Ken of Ghastria]

THE TERRACE

" I have read at least one account of a ghost that could manifest in fleshy form. I have no idea if such things are real, or merely legend. I'm not an expert on ghosts, not by any means. Benn and Dorgio know a lot more about that subject."

"True," says Primeiro thoughtfully. He is silent for a few moments. "And I trust that there were no other attacks or bizarre occurrences last night... aside from the theft that your man Melmoth reported, yes? Odd business, that. Stealing pitch? Well, now that we have a slightly better idea of what we're facing, we should take steps to deal with it permanently, while the light is on our side."

He looks at Everline and Eustace. "Do you agree?"

[ewancummins]

Benn's room

Benn gingerly lays his hand over Charlotte's injured fingers. "I've sent a letter to Herr Sancerre expressing our desire to depart immediately. We'll be gone as soon as we can, dear."

''Good, that's good, darling. This place is lovely on the surface, but it's dangerous and evil beneath. As if it were made as a trap...''

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Dorgio folds his arms over his chest and gives Juergin a skeptical look. But his expression softens, and he nods in assent. "I am promising I won't be doing or saying anything rash. You've got my word I'll listen to you, so go on my friend, I am listening."

[steveflam]

The young lad swallows hard."Well, here goes nothing" he says to himself.

"Gruz and Smezel. Gruz and Smezel. Come, come meet my friend Dorgio. He has more gold for you and will not hurt you, I promise. Please, he is nicer than the fat one Benn as you call him. Come out. And he knows about the magic clothes I wear." He looks at Dorgio and shrugs, unsure what his little friends mean about that then grins sheepishly at the priest.

He gets off the bed and stands in between Dorgio and the bed. He talks back to Dorgio "They are very shy and afraid of anyone except for me and Benn, I think. Just be patient, Dorgio. Maybe you can help me with them. They mean well but I will not let anyone harm them or do them bad deeds."

[ewancummins]

THE TERRACE

" I have read at least one account of a ghost that could manifest in fleshy form. I have no idea if such things are real, or merely legend. I'm not an expert on ghosts, not by any means. Benn and Dorgio know a lot more about that subject."

"True," says Primeiro thoughtfully. He is silent for a few moments. "And I trust that there were no other attacks or bizarre occurrences last night... aside from the theft that your man Melmoth reported, yes? Odd business, that. Stealing pitch? Well, now that we have a slightly better idea of what we're facing, we should take steps to deal with it permanently, while the light is on our side."

He looks at Everline and Eustace. "Do you agree?"

Denys says,
‘‘No, no trouble last night for us. The chateau was quiet. "


He looks out over the railing, examining the hillside and the vista of land and sea beyond it. Thin white fog hangs over the sea and the dunes, and even creeps into the brown hills of the island.

''It looks as if we may have moist weather today. Good, I hope it rains. My plants are thirsty."

[ewancummins]

A short while later, at sea...

Petrie leans on the oars, resting as the wind fills the sails.
''Well, Thom, the wind is blowing in the right direction, and it's a fine lovely day. Aye, and would you look at that..."
He turns his face back toward Gauntcliff, where the receding dunes and scarps lie half-hidden in a veil of pearl gray sea-mist.

‘’So, what do you know about our destination? I’ve never visited it.”

Looking back at the receding dunes of Gauntcliff Thom says nothing, he admires the scenery for a bit and than turns his attention back to Petrie. "I haven't been there myself, so I only know what I heard and the little I have read. Which is to say, I don't know much at all. I will say this though, we'll be glad Sancerre gave us plenty of food." He tells Petrie.

"I just we can find something to help the others out."

Petrie nods.
"Sure."

The big man adjusts the sails, muttering "That looks about right."
He sits down on the rowers' bench after trimming the sails, and begins prepping a fishing line with colored glass bait and a hook.

"No reason we can't make the rations last longer by eating some fresh fish, eh, Thom? "

(OOC spot check for Thom, please)