Mists over the Musarde, Chapter Four

ewancummins · Post by **ewancummins** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:34 pm

Wat , with help from Cirdan, rolls the slain beast onto the dragging frame and lashes it in place.

''We can take turns dragging it. When we come to obstacles, we should be able to all grab hold of the sides and carry it over the top. ''

Wat and Cirdan begin to slide the travois through the woods, grunting with effort as they struggle to get it moving. The heavy laden frame crushes the underbrush, leaving a flattened path in its wake.

steveflam · Post by **steveflam** » Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:38 pm

Norzak keeps an eye out for Van Dieks. As well he has his shadow keep an eye out for the villain. "Jon, keep an eye out fer Van Dieks, jess in case. I is too."

ewancummins · Post by **ewancummins** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:08 pm

Cirdan informs Wat of the missing body, and the woodsman becomes most agitated by the unexpected news.

''This talk of a missing dead man frightens me. I will look for signs in the cabin and in the yard about it, when we have returned.''

The hike back to the cabin take much longer than did getting to the kill site from the cabin, because having to drag the huge pig slows the party's progress. It is mid-afternoon when you all finally get back and drag the slain animal into the small yard, placing it in the shade of an elm.

Wat stops to look at the huge, dead boar. Fat and lazy summer flies are settling on the carcass, now that it is stationary once more.

''Jon, have you ever butchered anything? Norzak tells me you are handy with your knife- maybe you can help him clean and dress the meat. We need to get it ready for cooking or smoking soon, or the heat may spoil it. I must go now to search for signs of the dead man... ''

Brock Marsh Runoff · Post by **Brock Marsh Runoff** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 5:05 pm

Dorgio is quiet most of the way back, walking with his head down, lost in though. What will Van Diecks do now? Would Van Diecks strike out at him and his comrades? Would he attack the people at the moot house again, assuming he was the killer? Would he return to Wolutha? Would he return to Jon?

"Jon, we must be speaking soon, when we are done with the boar."

Wat wrote: We need to get it ready for cooking or smoking soon, or the heat may spoil it. I must go now to search for signs of the dead man... ''

"I can be helping with that, if you like. Also, when Jon and I were away, we saw a strange thing in the forest. A pit with burned rocks buried in it, and lumps of burned wood all around. Maybe it is just a cooking pit, but I am wondering if it is not connected to the thing that took you, the being of fire."

JMaytr · Post by **JMaytr** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:53 pm

"I'm afraid." Jonathan tells Dorgio while staring at the large dead boar.

"I thought we killed Van Dieks. He is sure to come come back and have his revenge on me. On all of us. We have to get out of here."

Jonathan moves to stand by Norzak, never taking his gaze from the carcass before them.

"Promise me you won't abandon me to Van Dieks."

steveflam · Post by **steveflam** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 8:56 pm

Norzak hears Dorgio speaking to Jon. He looks at the priest of the Morninglord with a serious face, speaking "Ye be wantin ter talk bout the lad's infection, aint yer? I wanna be there with the lad, fer support, Dorgio.

I promised 'im I'd protect 'im an I be takin me word seriously." He ruffles Jon's hair affectionately and eyes the dead boar. "I knows Van Dieks is free, but we should get at eatin some 'o this here pig. It'll go bad, like Wats said. I's no cook but one o us should start the hearth fire to cook this beastie. See the wound in it's head? Tha was me runnin up 'its back and plantin me short in it's head.

JMaytr · Post by **JMaytr** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:40 pm

Jonathan looks to the wound Norzak points out with some curiosity.

"I am terribly hungry."

steveflam · Post by **steveflam** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:57 pm

Norzak turns to Jon "I ain leavin yer ta no sick bastard, lad. This time I'll cut 'is ead off and feed it ta his behind if I got to."

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 11:34 am

"As I said, I saw no indication that he got up and walked out of the basement. It is possible his body was simply spirited away to foil our attempts at escape," Bennedict sighs, shaking his head, "Though I doubt we are that fortunate."

He turns in curiosity to Dorgio. "I would be interested to see this pit you were mentioning. It could have some manner of ritual significance. Also, I know a thing or two about were-creatures, so if you require a scientific opinion to help with the boy, I am of course available."

JMaytr · Post by **JMaytr** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 12:03 pm

Hearing Benn's offer Jonathan tears his eyes away from the dead creature before them.

"You know things? Can you help me? Can you rid this thing from me? What do you know that could help?"

Jonathan speaks quickly, the words nearly colliding into each other as they come out.

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 2:47 am

Bennedict turns a wary eye on Wat's back before dropping a comforting hand on Jon's shoulder. "Best not to speak of it now, lad. We don't want to alarm our host." He drops his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "I don't want to get your hopes up, but I have done some study on the subject. There are a number of stories of people reversing this condition. The answer will present itself soon enough. Give me some time to think and I will let you know what I come up with."

Brock Marsh Runoff · Post by **Brock Marsh Runoff** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:12 am

Dorgio nods in agreement with Benn. "We will not be letting Van Diecks get the better of you, Jon. Or any of us. I am agreeing that we must leave this place soon, but I am suspecting we will not be leaving until we find the killer." Barely a pause. "Until we find Van Diecks."

Dorgio then reaches into his pouch and produces the handful of scorched gravel. "We found this at the site, Benn. It is not much to be going on, but if anybody is to be knowing what to make of it, it's you."

JMaytr · Post by **JMaytr** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 10:59 am

"I have a feeling Van Dieks may strike us first."

steveflam · Post by **steveflam** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 11:41 am

Norzak spits on the ground. "Then less' make sure we is ready. I kin put me shadow on alert to move aroun' 'n watch tha place." He turns to Jon now "So once we got us some free time, mebbe we can discuss with Dorgio an Benn about you, if thass okay with the fellers here. Important now is to git Van Dieks then git outta 'ere. Ay Wats, I want me a souvenir 'o me hunt. Tusks could be a good souvenir, I be thinkin'."

Brock Marsh Runoff · Post by **Brock Marsh Runoff** » Sat Sep 12, 2009 11:51 am

"Yes, he may. And the rider may, too. But we have defeated Van Diecks before, and the rider now may know we are a match for his mistress." He lights a cigarillo, noting how few are left. "For once, we are having the mental advantage." Judging by his tone, he almost even believes it.

"But the night is dark, and full of terrors, and there are ways we may yet be brought low. That is why we must be speakin soon." He inhales a ragged lungfull, then turns to assist Wat.

"My friend," he asks Wat, "Let us be checking for signs of Van Diecks. And by the way, you wouldn't be knowing where a man could be finding tobacco, do you?"

Café de Nuit

Welcome, friends, to our establishment.

Mists over the Musarde, Chapter Four