Ghosts of Gauntcliff: Chapter Six

[Rock of the Fraternity]

"Sancerre," Everline says to the master of the estate. "Ye still got servants. Ha' ye also got rasps? Files? Metalworking tools? If so, cin ye set 'em ta filin' down silver coins inta dust? Shadows know how many times more we'll all be wantin' fer sanctuary, an' some silver seems like a light enough price fer security an' peace of mind."

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

"The scrolls, they should be with Eustace. We were in his room reading them when Jonas was taken. And the spectacles, Benn, you are having those correct? I am wondering, maybe they will be useful in spotting the creature from the Shadows."

Dorgio frowns when the others mention the creature's accomplices. "I think I am knowing why. Juergin, he brought two creatures with him from wherever he and Benn went. I had just learned of it when the ship wrecked; there was no time to be putting it all together. But those things may have been what kidnapped Jonas in the first place."

He fishes a cigarillo from his pouch and lights it. "Whatever this thing is, it's attacking once...but why not again? Is it trying to herd us into one place? Goad us into attacking it somewhere else?" He shakes his head. "I am thinking, maybe we don't have he luxury to be waiting until the sun is up to end this."

[Ail]

"Two creatures, he? Now that's bad news."
Eustace frowns.

"Plus, I haven't seen him anywhere after I and Primeiro saw him... eh... with his new teeth. I wonder where he's gone."

"Well Dorgio, I suggest we start fast. Do you have any protective or offensive magic that you can call on us tonight? We should plan now, not to react later."

[ewancummins]

Jürgen

Jürgen makes the three of them as comfortable as he can. "Gruz and Smezel. From here, can you lead me to the Chief? I want to stay away from the fat ones at all costs, my friends. Smezel can you do your magic to get us back to the Chief?"

Smezel tries the magic several times, but to no avail.
“All the doors is closed.”

Gruz and Smezel lead Jürgen to a cave in the dark, rain-soaked hills, midway between the chateau and the Old Abbey ruins. As the boy makes his way up a steep ridge to the opening in the rocky hillside, the sun sinks low behind the pink and orange mists.

Not far into the mouth of the cave, the Chief and nine or ten other one-eyed goblin-men squat in a circle around a pile of foodstuffs, clothing, and assorted small items. As Jürgen enters the cave, the creatures look up at him, their big eyes shining in the gloom.


The Chief waggles a stick at Jürgen.
''You!”


Jürgen’s questioning of the stupid little brutes reveals nothing. They cower and crawl away whenever he flashes his shark’s teeth at them.
After Jürgen has spent some time at this tiresome effort, Dark One finally says,‘’These foolish beings know nothing useful to us, boy. They are too stupid. Only with a master directing them can they be of any service.”

The little monster-men fall back to arguing amongst themselves, leaving the boy to think through his problems...


Jürgen freezes at the sound of a deep voice coming from his back,
“I just knew you’d want to play with me again, little boy.”

[ewancummins]

The private bar


Denys answers Everline,''Yes, I'll set some men to work filing silver."

He turns to Dorgio, the blood draining from his usually florid face,
''I've meant to ask, what did you learn from your necromantic rites? From Maggie? Did the poor girl's shade reveal anything of use?"

[steveflam]

Jürgen

The boy ponders his problem. Dark One is right, however. These stupid monsters are useless unless they are led by someone.

Then he hears the voice and freezes a moment. He slowly turns around. This was who he wanted to see and get answers from and now was the best time as any.

"Listen," and Jürgen grins real big at who he supposes is Dodd, "I came to you looking for some answers. I don't mind helping you, but I will not involve children of any kind. I don't care if you are responsible for the boat crashing. I need to know what has happened to me." He taps his teeth carefully, not to draw any blood.

"Does this mean I will swim like a shark as well? I had salty taste in my mouth just before it happened. I am Jürgen. I presume you are Mr Dodd?"

[Adam]

Benn taps the spectacles currently resting on his face and nods. "I have them right here. They've been quite helpful thus far."

He will then endeavor to get the scroll from Eustace so he can begin transcribing the spell.

[ewancummins]

Jürgen
With the sun down, only weak moonlight and starshine illuminate the opening before the boy..

The shadowy figure in the cave mouth slides closer, making no sound as it approaches. Jürgen squints and the picture becomes a bit less murky; a pale-skinned man with lank, dark hair, a drooping mustache, and angry red welts on his face and across his bare arms and chest. Everything about him but the welts looks as if it were painted in flat charcoal tones. His legs are hardly visible in the darkness, little more than a blurry outline below a ragged swatch of cloth wound round his thin waist.

‘’Yes, I am Fredrik Dodds. It’s nice to be remembered, isn’t it? ’’
The Dodds smiles as he creeps closer yet.
Jürgen hears the one-eyed creatures scuttle away behind him, whimpering.
‘’I control this island. There is no escape, unless I will it. You can never ever leave unless you bring me what I want, boy. Bring me Primeiro! Bring me the little bitch, Everline. “

He leans in close.
“I’m not unreasonable. I can see you are friendly with creatures of the shadows. The dwarf shadow is your companion. You are his friend; why not be mine? Help me and I’ll help you. I’ll help you understand these changes that have come over you. I’ll protect you from the grownups who want to hurt you. If you like, I’ll let you leave Gauntcliff and you can even take Gruz and Smezel with you. You aren’t my type, not now. I’m sure we can make a deal. “

[steveflam]

Jürgen

VIEW CONTENT:

The boy listens and remains silent a moment. "What is it you desire, exactly? Why did you need Jonas? Why do you wish Everline or Primeiro? Why them? I am willing to discuss and come to an arrangement with you, Fredrik Dodd. I do know I have done some bad things, but never have I brought harm to those I know, ever. What kind of guarantee can you give me that I will know of my teeth?

If I do help you, they must not be able to see my teeth. Primeiro and Eustace already have and I am sure now the others all know about them. How can I trick Primeiro and Everline? They will probably not trust me."

[ewancummins]

Juergin, in the cave



The master of Gauntcliff answers, ''My name ends with an S. Are the teeth giving you some trouble speaking?"

[steveflam]

"No, I just thought seeing as you are one person, it was Dodd. The teeth will take some getting used to. Now, I did ask you a few questions. Please do answer them for me."

He turns back to the little one eyed creatures who are afraid. "Don't be afraid. Stay close to me. Mr Dodds won't harm you, I believe we have an understanding." He looks pointedly at the Dodds.

[ewancummins]

"No, I just thought seeing as you are one person, it was Dodd. The teeth will take some getting used to. Now, I did ask you a few questions. Please do answer them for me."

He turns back to the little one eyed creatures who are afraid. "Don't be afraid. Stay close to me. Mr Dodds won't harm you, I believe we have an understanding." He looks pointedly at the Dodds.

Dodds leans so close that Jürgen can smell a barbequed, hot iron stink rising from the thing's skin.

''Until you prove that you are my friend, why should I tell you anything else? Don’t try to trick me, it won’t work. Go and get me what I want. I made a fair and generous offer. Do you accept it or do you not? If you agree, say so. Then, go and fulfill your end of the deal. I will keep mine. Your surety is that I will allow Smezel and Gruz to go with you, instead of punishing them for failing me. We both know I don’t have to let anything living leave this cavern, if I don’t want to do so."

Smezel and Gruz whine and grovel on the dirty cave floor.


Dark One whispers in the boy's ear.
''He means it, I am certain. He'll kill you, or do worse, if you don't agree."

[steveflam]

"No, I just thought seeing as you are one person, it was Dodd. The teeth will take some getting used to. Now, I did ask you a few questions. Please do answer them for me."

He turns back to the little one eyed creatures who are afraid. "Don't be afraid. Stay close to me. Mr Dodds won't harm you, I believe we have an understanding." He looks pointedly at the Dodds.

Dodds leans so close that Jürgen can smell a barbequed, hot iron stink rising from the thing's skin.

''Until you prove that you are my friend, why should I tell you anything else? Don’t try to trick me, it won’t work. Go and get me what I want. I made a fair and generous offer. Do you accept it or do you not? If you agree, say so. Then, go and fulfill your end of the deal. I will keep mine. Your surety is that I will allow Smezel and Gruz to go with you, instead of punishing them for failing me. We both know I don’t have to let anything living leave this cavern, if I don’t want to do so."

Smezel and Gruz whine and grovel on the dirty cave floor.


Dark One whispers in the boy's ear.
''He means it, I am certain. He'll kill you, or do worse, if you don't agree."

VIEW CONTENT:

The boy thinks a moment and then looks at the man. "I understand. I am willing to help you, but I am telling you that they will not trust me. I do accept but I will need some kind of edge to help me is what I am telling you.They seem to be really concentrated on the Abbey recently and the Shadow beast there. Maybe you can give me some information about it that would make them trust me?"

[ewancummins]

THE CAVE


‘‘That’s a wise choice, boy. Okay, listen closely to me: The shadow beast is only my servant, and after they badly damaged it last night I lost control of it. Now it is hiding in the shipwreck. It must have used its powers to confuse the steersman and wreck the ship in the fog. I raised the mists, of course. Perhaps it was trying to escape? Foolish creature. If your friends go there now, to the north shore, they can destroy it by using their magic. I’ll sacrifice it to help you. Without it, I won't be able to attack them in their dreams. Of course, that will be only a temporary setback for me. I can make another shadow-servant, but I will be busy for three nights as I paint it. Tell them you were running away, looking for supplies to make an ocean trip in your small boat, when you saw a living shadow creeping near the wreck. Lead them there. When the shadow attacks, they can destroy it with their magic. That should make them trust you. Wait three days and nights, and then bring them here to this cave. Make up a reason to go this way, or let them think doing so is their idea. I will hide in the back of the cave. Don’t tell them I am here. I will disable Everline and Primeiro with your help, and the others can go free. We’ll scare them, but we need not hurt them. Let them go. I don’t want them messing about on my island."


He motions towards the opening at his back.

''You may go. Do what you must do. I will keep faith as well as you keep it."

[Adam]

Bennedict accepts the scroll from Eustace and sends some servants to gather up a writing desk, chair, and candles for light. He sits down when they are gathered, pours himself a cup of tea, and pushes some tobacco into the bowl of his pipe. Lighting it and puffing away, he sighs and flips open his leather notebook, scrawling away.

This is going to be a long day.