Ghosts of Gauntcliff Chapter Four

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

THE SIDE PARLOR

"The sleep, it was not visited by monsters, not like Everline's. But sometimes when I sleep, three men visit me. Two living as far as I know, one long dead, all named Miklos. All men I've failed at some point."

He recounts again what they said, about children needing to be saved and the darkest road being the path they should take. "They more I am thinking, the more I am beliving the darkest road is whatever lies beyond the portal in the sanctuary ruins. Whatever lies beyond that, I am fearing we will have to travel there if we are wanting to see Benn, Jonas, and Jeurgin again. If there is any seeing them again."

"But before that," he continues, lowering his voice to prevent the servants from overhearing. "There is the matter of the murdered girl," he says, alluding to his desire to conjure her shade. "We should do that tonight, find out what we can so we won't disturb those who know nothing of the next world."

[Adam]

Bennedict coughs and rolls up to a seated position. He dusts off his trousers and sits up straight, trying to recover at least a small amount of his dignity.

He shoots a quiet glare at the cyclopian midgets before turning to the robed figures. "Damaged or not, I think you'll realize I'm a fine product," he says, trying to keep his voice free of bitterness, "Assuming, of course, you have use for me outside of food or brute labor. I'm an educated man, and a spellcaster. I would be happy to offer you my services, if you require them."

[PathOfDreams]

Petrie shoulders the chest of shiny goods back to the chateau with little or no discomfort; indeed if any was felt it did not show in his jovile visage. Once they reach the chateau Petrie parts from Thom to attend to his cleanliness. Petrie slides the chest into a corner of his room until he and Thom can figure out what to do with the windfall. After staring at it for a few seconds he covers it neatly with the folded sheet from his bed to make it appear as a corner table of sorts. Finally, he adorns the covered chest with his gear bag and lays his spear against it.

After stripping his soaked and stinking leathers, he rinses his hair and face free of sand and sweat in the washbasin. Now refreshed and presentable, and with sword in its scabbard, Petrie attends the meeting of guests in the side parlor.

SIDE PARLOR

Addressing the lot after the comments made by Thom and Primeiro, Petrie speaks up, "Aye... 'tis a sore day fer them, the pirates I mean." He continues to chew on the half eaten yeast roll he snatched when he sat down. "Mmphf... I think patrolling sounds as gooda plan as any right now. I, like Mr. Primeiro, would be of little 'elp confering 'bout magics or the like. I'd be glad to rove the grounds with ya Primeiro," he swallows hard to get the roll down. "After a wee spot of supper of course."

[RocEter]

The Side Parlor

"Interesting. I am thinking you may be correct Dorgio, about having to go through that passage. That seems to be the only logical choice left." Thom says about Dorgio's dream and his interpretation. "I have a theory about the attacks, but before I go into I have a question about the girl." He says. "Denys how old was the girl that died? Close to Everline's age or perhaps younger?"

[ewancummins]

BENN, IN THE CROOKED TOWN

Bennedict coughs and rolls up to a seated position. He dusts off his trousers and sits up straight, trying to recover at least a small amount of his dignity.

He shoots a quiet glare at the cyclopian midgets before turning to the robed figures. "Damaged or not, I think you'll realize I'm a fine product," he says, trying to keep his voice free of bitterness, "Assuming, of course, you have use for me outside of food or brute labor. I'm an educated man, and a spellcaster. I would be happy to offer you my services, if you require them."

One of the cloaked figures--which one Benn cannot tell-- replies, "You may prove useful to us, scholar."
Another of the three commands the one-eyed monsters, "Release him. Your payment..."
The robed being tosses a full purse at the ugly little brutes.

The small monsters cut Benn free and then scamper off into the nearest alley, laughing like wicked children.

[ewancummins]

The Side Parlor

"Interesting. I am thinking you may be correct Dorgio, about having to go through that passage. That seems to be the only logical choice left." Thom says about Dorgio's dream and his interpretation. "I have a theory about the attacks, but before I go into I have a question about the girl." He says. "Denys how old was the girl that died? Close to Everline's age or perhaps younger?"

''Everline is about, what sixteen? Maggie was twelve."

[ewancummins]

JUERGIN, IN THE CHILD-GAOL

"No, you shut up, bastard."

Juergin waits until the last possible moment before faking a dive one way, then tumbling right where he would think the speakers feet are.

25 Tumble roll

Juergin smashes into his enemy, knocking the creature to the floor. He can't be sure in the dark, but it feels as if this creature is smaller than Juergin. The creature punches or bludgeons Juergin in the face, bruising the boy's mouth.

[Adam]

BENN, IN THE CROOKED TOWN

Bennedict coughs and rolls up to a seated position. He dusts off his trousers and sits up straight, trying to recover at least a small amount of his dignity.

He shoots a quiet glare at the cyclopian midgets before turning to the robed figures. "Damaged or not, I think you'll realize I'm a fine product," he says, trying to keep his voice free of bitterness, "Assuming, of course, you have use for me outside of food or brute labor. I'm an educated man, and a spellcaster. I would be happy to offer you my services, if you require them."

One of the cloaked figures--which one Benn cannot tell-- replies, "You may prove useful to us, scholar."
Another of the three commands the one-eyed monsters, "Release him. Your payment..."
The robed being tosses a full purse at the ugly little brutes.

The small monsters cut Benn free and then scamper off into the nearest alley, laughing like wicked children.

He stands, dusting off his trousers again.

"I thank you. Those brutes were very nearly the death of me," he moves his hand up to what was left of his ear. "Perhaps I could offer a brief demonstration of my abilities? I could use some of my healing magic."

[steveflam]

Juergin attacks the smaller creature with his lock pick.

[ewancummins]

BENN, IN THE CROOKED TOWN

Bennedict coughs and rolls up to a seated position. He dusts off his trousers and sits up straight, trying to recover at least a small amount of his dignity.

He shoots a quiet glare at the cyclopian midgets before turning to the robed figures. "Damaged or not, I think you'll realize I'm a fine product," he says, trying to keep his voice free of bitterness, "Assuming, of course, you have use for me outside of food or brute labor. I'm an educated man, and a spellcaster. I would be happy to offer you my services, if you require them."

One of the cloaked figures--which one Benn cannot tell-- replies, "You may prove useful to us, scholar."
Another of the three commands the one-eyed monsters, "Release him. Your payment..."
The robed being tosses a full purse at the ugly little brutes.

The small monsters cut Benn free and then scamper off into the nearest alley, laughing like wicked children.

He stands, dusting off his trousers again.

"I thank you. Those brutes were very nearly the death of me," he moves his hand up to what was left of his ear. "Perhaps I could offer a brief demonstration of my abilities? I could use some of my healing magic."

One of the robed figures says,

''Physician, heal thyself."

[ewancummins]

JUERGIN

Juergin attacks the smaller creature with his lock pick.

The steel pick twists in his hand as he stabs it into the creature's body.

''Yeeow! Me give up, me give up! Don't kill me, nice boy!"

[Adam]

Bennedict takes a deep breath and tries to clear his nerves and the harsh bite of fear from his mind, channels the eldritch words of magic to heal his wounds.

[ewancummins]

Bennedict takes a deep breath and tries to clear his nerves and the harsh bite of fear from his mind, channels the eldritch words of magic to heal his wounds.

All of Benn's injuries vanish (although his mutilated ear does not regrow).

''Impressive. Take your things."

The hooded figure on Benn's left raises a pallid, withered hand to indicate a sack left behind by the one-eyed creatures.

"Follow us."

[Adam]

Bennedict picks his satchel up, slinging it over his shoulder and lifting his cane. He flips open the bag to idly check that all of the contents are still there as he follows the robed figures.

"My name is Bennedict," he says, satisfied that he has his possessions. "May I inquire as to who my owners are?"

[ewancummins]

Bennedict picks his satchel up, slinging it over his shoulder and lifting his cane. He flips open the bag to idly check that all of the contents are still there as he follows the robed figures.

"My name is Bennedict," he says, satisfied that he has his possessions. "May I inquire as to who my owners are?"

The three figures reply almost at once, their hollow voices echoing one another,
''Names have power. You may call us the Exiled Princes. You will assist us in recovering something that we have lost."

Benn finds that all his missing things, except his pocket money, are in the sack. Even his stick is there.