Ghosts of Gauntcliff: Chapter Six

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Juergin's Room

Dorgio nods as he listens to Juergin's story. He never interrupts, but there is a slight frown on his face the whole time, as if he can't quite believe what he's hearing.

"Ghosts and ghouls I have dealt with, but these one-eyed goblins? Strange indeed. I've never seen a truly intelligent being smaller than a gnome. Still...gods are knowing I've seen stranger things. What happened to this Gruz and Smezel? They were staying behind, yes?"

"And the Lost Princes...and the Dodds, they are different people? What did they look like? Were you noticing anything else about them?"

[Adam]

Benn stands from his chair, lifting the crossbow as quietly as he can. He scans the room, walking over to check the closets and checking behind curtains, looking for anything out of place.

[RocEter]

VIEW CONTENT:

Early morning in the harbor of Gauntcliff
Thom and Petrie have checked and rechecked the supplies in the skiff. It’s all tallied and secured; enough food and fresh water for a week at sea.
Petrie remarks, ‘’We ought to make port in a day or two if the wind treats us fine, Thom. “
The big man lashes his fishing spear to the mast. ‘’Just in case any sharks come calling.”
Denys and Melmoth stand on the pier near the post where the skiff is tied.
“Good luck, and may the Lady watch over you both”, Denys says as the two voyagers climb into the small vessel. The stout merchant shakes a little windblown sand from his rose colored robes. “Mind you keep those victuals hidden while on Ghastria. Some of the local thugs might knife a foreigner for a good cheese or some fine wine.”
Melmoth grunts, not quite a laugh. The laconic hireling raises a hand in a wordless farewell, and then turns to walk back up the planks towards the dunes’ edge where two mules stand saddled.

"Will do." Thom says in regards to Denys advice. He waves farewell to Melmoth and Denys.

Turning his attention to Petrie, "Right, lets be off then young man." He says to him.

[ewancummins]

Thom

"Will do." Thom says in regards to Denys advice. He waves farewell to Melmoth and Denys.

Turning his attention to Petrie, "Right, let’s be off then young man." He says to him.

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.”

[ewancummins]

BENN'S ROOM

Benn stands from his chair, lifting the crossbow as quietly as he can. He scans the room, walking over to check the closets and checking behind curtains, looking for anything out of place.

The black stain in the closet floor has vanished, but the floorboards in that area are scratched and marked with deep reddish-brown splotches--possibly blood.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Everline looks at Sancerre, then at the bottle -- and sits down.

"Ye're worried this place'll come ta naught, ain't ye?" she asks, bluntly. "Oh, I appreciate the kind sentiment," she says, waving her hand in a placating manner, "but let's talk turkey. This place is far more dangerous than ye ever imagined, an' is gettin' worse."

[ewancummins]

THE TERRACE

Everline looks at Sancerre, then at the bottle -- and sits down.

"Ye're worried this place'll come ta naught, ain't ye?" she asks, bluntly. "Oh, I appreciate the kind sentiment," she says, waving her hand in a placating manner, "but let's talk turkey. This place is far more dangerous than ye ever imagined, an' is gettin' worse."

"Indeed, I was caught unawares by the danger--as were my guests."


Denys sips his wine.

"Thom and Petrie have gone to find help. They sailed out in a small vessel this morning. I would have wakened the rest of you, but you all looked half-dead last night. "

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"Too bloody true," Everline says.

She glances at the manservant. "'Scuse me, squire. Might I trouble ye fer some walk milk? Boilin', if'n ye got any. I'm a bit parched."

Turning back to Sancerre, Everline asks: "Where exactly are they off ta find help, out here in the middle'a the ocean?"

[ewancummins]

"Too bloody true," Everline says.

She glances at the manservant. "'Scuse me, squire. Might I trouble ye fer some walk milk? Boilin', if'n ye got any. I'm a bit parched."

Turning back to Sancerre, Everline asks: "Where exactly are they off ta find help, out here in the middle'a the ocean?"

''Why--an island, of course."

He smiles just a little.

"Now, as far as this business last night, what exactly happened? Melmoth said that some of the supplies were stolen, and that you and the other explorers ran into some kind of trouble in the ruins. Did you actually see this ghost or demon or whatever it is? Is it real?"

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"It's real," Everline says. "We fought it. Nearly died fightin' it. Its touch causes confusion, almost madness -- an' horrible visions, at that. It's hard ta hit wid' normal steel. The blighter had a workshop behind that big door; we trashed it. It had li'l Jonas down there, an'there was some box we left behind ta git the li'l one back to his Mum an' Pa."

Everline's blue eyes harden to sapphire. "The bastard yet lives. I'd like ta change that, ye can imagine. As fer what got nicked -- a barrel o' pitch. 'Less'n the shadow-ogre cin lift things physical, that means 'e's got a helper wit' hands an' feet on this island, or else there's somethin' else happenin' what don' deserve the light o' day. In any case, I'd appreciate it if'n ye have yer people patrol yer premises; keep buckets'a water an' sand handy, too.

Someone may try ta set the place alight 'fore long."

Everline allows this thought to sink in before she continues: "Shadow-ogre's bound ta come agin, too. Filthy bastard's up against a wall, now. We got weapons what can hurt it, an' we know it's there. I dunno what kind'a help ye send Thom an' Petrie fer, or where ta git it, but I'd sure as sure like to know."

[ewancummins]

''They wanted to go and make whatever inquiries they are able... "

He looks to make certain the serving man has left.

''...and just in case we who remain die here, I'd like to warn others about the island. They'll see to that, if it becomes necessary. Someone ought to get out alive. I only wish I could evacuate my staff, but I cannot. Not all of them. I plan to pack as many people as I may aboard the passenger ship when it arrives. The evacuation will have to be fast. I won't even let the ship tie off at the pier. The ship's boats can ferry the departing persons aboard. I am certain that a place could be made for you, mademoiselle."

[steveflam]

Juergin's Room

Dorgio nods as he listens to Juergin's story. He never interrupts, but there is a slight frown on his face the whole time, as if he can't quite believe what he's hearing.

"Ghosts and ghouls I have dealt with, but these one-eyed goblins? Strange indeed. I've never seen a truly intelligent being smaller than a gnome. Still...gods are knowing I've seen stranger things. What happened to this Gruz and Smezel? They were staying behind, yes?"

"And the Lost Princes...and the Dodds, they are different people? What did they look like? Were you noticing anything else about them?"

"I am sure they are okay where they are. As for these Dodds and the Lost Princes, maybe they are different. Benn might know more than I. He spoke to the shadowy ones more than I did, I believe. I am just glad I am gone from that Nightmarish place."

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Everline freezes for a moment.

When she speaks, her tone is civil, her words sound educated, and her face is calm. But oh, the look in her eyes...

"I should rather like to see that shadow-beast dead."

[Ail]

"It is I, Primeiro, Eustace. I would like to share some words with you before we talk to Sancerre. May I come in?"

[Ken of Ghastria]

Primeiro's room

"Of course," says Primeiro. "One moment." He secures his writing materials and then opens the door. "Good morning, Eustace. I would ask if you slept well, but that would seem a silly question. Come in." He motions Eustace toward the chair that he had just been sitting in, while he sits on the edge of the bed.

"Now, I believe I know what you wish to discuss, but please go ahead." His tone is amiable.