Ghosts of Gauntcliff, Chapter 3

[steveflam]

"Um, well to be honest, I like this side of you better. I am not much of a fan of nobles, but that is just my opinion. My Pa and his father berfore and before and before all were hard working men and I plan to keep on that tradition."

[PathOfDreams]

Petrie is surprised to see a half-man, not that one has never been in his presence, but simply that he did not expect to see one. It is quite obvious to him that this stout figure is the gardener. "Sorry lad if I gave ya a start. I figured I'd settle down for a comforting meal by my own... do some thinking ya know."

Between mouthfuls of tender hash, he engages the gardener again, "Tis a rare beauty you've made of this here courtyard. I imagine when the sun is overhead it be a samrt look... the kinda place to bring a fair maiden to deflower then eh?" He issues a deep chuckle at his own comment.

Petrie stands and approaches the man. "Care for some fresh bread, there's more than enough. I know you've work to attend, but I'd like to hear your take on a bit of a mystery... I coulda swore to the realms beyond that I come upon a figure near the mulberries yesterday. It was cloaked in a ragged fur of sorts and darted when I payed it notice." He forks another pile of hash into his maw and continues while chewing, "I bet ya be tendin' to plants outside the walls as well lad; what you think, I'm not seein' things then am I? Come across somethin' like that ever, 'ere on the island I mean?"

[ewancummins]

The garden courtyard

Petrie stands and approaches the man. "Care for some fresh bread, there's more than enough. I know you've work to attend, but I'd like to hear your take on a bit of a mystery... I coulda swore to the realms beyond that I come upon a figure near the mulberries yesterday. It was cloaked in a ragged fur of sorts and darted when I payed it notice." He forks another pile of hash into his maw and continues while chewing, "I bet ya be tendin' to plants outside the walls as well lad; what you think, I'm not seein' things then am I? Come across somethin' like that ever, 'ere on the island I mean?"

The half-man takes a hunk of bread and crams it into his wide mouth. He chews slowly and then swallows.

"Yummm...thanks. Name's Penda. Take care of the plants, in and out of the house. Don't know about the creature you saw, but I did find some strange tracks in the dirt, last week. Gone now, rain. You said something about a cloak? My cloak is missing. If you find it, let me know."

[ewancummins]

The Terrace

Benn's eyes narrow at Everline needing Charlotte's assistance. "What happened to Frauleine Everline anyways? Surely she is capable of handling a simple illness?"

After listening to Benn's question, Denys turns to face Dorgio-
"Yes, what exactly is wrong with her? Should I send my herbalist? Your prayers have not helped her, I take it?'

[ewancummins]

Everline's room-

Charlotte sticks her head through the door.

"Everline...Oh, Juergin, hello."

The black haired beauty looks about the room, and gives Everline a good once-over.

"I was told you could use some help. Not feeling well today, dear?"

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Dorgio nods when Denys gives his conditions for the exhumation, "we shall see to the poor girl's remains in the night then, so as not to upset the workers. It is not something I'd ask if I didn't think it necessary, I'm thanking you for understanding that."

"As for Everline, I think she is more spooked than anything else. She has been on edge ever since what happened in the caverns during a wizard's conclave near a year ago," he said, truthfully enough. "I'm thinking she is just needing time to collect her thoughts."

It wasn't quite a lie, not all of it. After all, Eustace had said whatever was affecting her may have been mental, had he not? And Everline had been acting somewhat off ever since the conclave, had she not? But still, Dorgio finds himself hesitant to tell Denys of all his suspicions.

[ewancummins]

The terrace-


"Ah, it sounds like a nervous case. There is an island hospital that Captain Griffith sometimes visits, to drop off supplies. She might go there if things get too bad.''

[RocEter]

"I'll be happy to accompany someone back to the ruins, gentlemen," says Primeiro to his fellow guests after Charlotte leaves. "I don't like to leave a mess behind. I have little experience in fighting spirits or shadowy creatures, however. Those with whom I've crossed swords have been a little more... fleshy."

"Ah yes, about the ruins. I won't be going with you, I have half the mind that we may find answers elsewhere on the island. I planned on taking Everline with me and that big lad, Petrie is it?, and doing some exploring other parts of the island." Thom says. "Though given her current state I may reconsider.. But then again maybe the fresh sea breeze will do her some good." He says shrugging. "Either that is my plan."

"As for Everline, I think she is more spooked than anything else. She has been on edge ever since what happened in the caverns during a wizard's conclave near a year ago," he said, truthfully enough. "I'm thinking she is just needing time to collect her thoughts."

Thom eats a little more of his breakfast and washes it down with some tea. "Not just the caverns mind you, she and I were nearly burnt alive! Though I don't find it surprising that she been on edge after the caverns at the conclave. I had the worst nightmares for months, some days I still thought I was under effects of that fungus. Its a miracle only one of us lost their sanity.." He says, last bit referring to Alain.

[ewancummins]

The Terrace-

"Fungus and madness, eh? You'll have to tell me the whole story later, Thom." Denys rises. "For now, you must excuse me. I'm off to consult with Claudas. He's been planning a masquerade ball. It will be held not long after the next ship arrives with the other guests. I do hope that you will all be able to attend."

Denys makes it halfway to the door to the stairwell, and then stops and turns.
"Oh, Dorgio, you were always good with the young ones. Later , I'd like to pick your brains for ideas about a children's party. At least three of the families are bringing their young sons and daughters." A wistful smile forms on the big man's florid face. "It will be good to hear the laughter of children again." With that, Denys steps through the door.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Everline's room-

Charlotte sticks her head through the door.

"Everline...Oh, Juergin, hello."

The black haired beauty looks about the room, and gives Everline a good once-over.

"I was told you could use some help. Not feeling well today, dear?"

"Spot o' bother durin' the night, I fear," Everline says, not bothering to hide her commoner's accent -- nor the weapons dangling from her belt. "Ma'am -- Charlotte, if I may? -- I'm sure th'others are after tellin' Benn all this, soonest, but I'll warn ye now: I got attacked in dreams. Somethin' that... covets women, if'n ye know what I mean. I got 'urt, an' I need some help fixing meself up the way I were yesterday."

Everline grimaces as she flexes her fingers. "Nothin' works completely proper. I need some help gettin' me armour on an' me knives hid when I put on the dress. ... An' I suppose ter comb me hair, too. Would ye mind awfully?"

[ewancummins]

Everline's room-

Charlotte sticks her head through the door.

"Everline...Oh, Juergin, hello."

The black haired beauty looks about the room, and gives Everline a good once-over.

"I was told you could use some help. Not feeling well today, dear?"

"Spot o' bother durin' the night, I fear," Everline says, not bothering to hide her commoner's accent -- nor the weapons dangling from her belt. "Ma'am -- Charlotte, if I may? -- I'm sure th'others are after tellin' Benn all this, soonest, but I'll warn ye now: I got attacked in dreams. Somethin' that... covets women, if'n ye know what I mean. I got 'urt, an' I need some help fixing meself up the way I were yesterday."

Everline grimaces as she flexes her fingers. "Nothin' works completely proper. I need some help gettin' me armour on an' me knives hid when I put on the dress. ... An' I suppose ter comb me hair, too. Would ye mind awfully?"

''No, I wouldn't mind at all, Everline. I used to help my mistress with her hair and clothes."

Benn's wife sniffs. Her pretty face darkens with emotion, and she turns away for just a moment.

"Juergin, would you please go check on my son, Jonas. He's with a maid in my room. Tell her I sent you. If there's something bad going on around here, I would like a strong fellow like you watching over my family. My husband and I would very much appreciate your help."

[steveflam]

"Yes, Frau Charlotte. Would you like me to bring him to you? I am not parent but I might feel better if my child was near me with what happened to Miss Everline."

[ewancummins]

"Yes, Frau Charlotte. Would you like me to bring him to you? I am not parent but I might feel better if my child was near me with what happened to Miss Everline."

"Yes, but please knock first. I'll be helping Everline get dressed."

[steveflam]

Juergin nods and exits, closing the door behind him. He walks cheerfully to Benn & Charlotte's room, knocking on the door. "Hello, it is me Juergin. I come with Madam Charlotte's permission to bring young Jonas to his mother. Miay I come in?"

[ewancummins]

Benn and Charlotte's room-

Juergin nods and exits, closing the door behind him. He walks cheerfully to Benn & Charlotte's room, knocking on the door. "Hello, it is me Juergin. I come with Madam Charlotte's permission to bring young Jonas to his mother. Miay I come in?"

A mousy brunette in a black maid's dress and white apron answers the door. The young woman smiles at Juergin.
"Oh, Mistress Charlotte sent you? Come in. I'm just cleaning up a bit."

The room is larger and perhaps fancier than Juergin's own chamber (not that Juergin's room isn't the nicest billet he has had in years).

On the floor, Ben's young son is playing with a wooden mouse about the size of Juergin's foot. The carved statuette looks as if it was whittled with a knife.

Juergin would probably guess that Jonas is two years old.

The maid asks Jeurgin, "Are you enjoying your time on Gauntcliff, young master?"