Chapter 3: The Enemy Within

[Marcy]

"I suppose I could get back in that Flame-cursed cage and pretend to still be a captive," Charis muses, her nose wrinkling in distaste at the thought. "Though there is the damage to the bars to account for; perhaps we could camouflage that somehow. Anyone at the manor expecting a "shipment" might not look too closely, even if it is delayed, precisely because it's what they expect to see."

She fingers the silver brooch at her throat as she ponders. "But I fear it will be slow going; it might simply be easier to find the manor and infiltrate it through...other means."

[Darren]

"I'm with the pretty lady," Kal says with a grin. "We find it, do some surveillance, then decide on a plan. Until then, it's all just speculation."

[Jeremy]

Goran, still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, emerges from the background. He's just caught the last bit of conversation and a little of the "interview" with Relith. His voice is full of sleep.

"Anything from our...other...captive? I could hardly understand what little I heard. Anything useful? If it's at all like most of our interviewed captives, the information and a copper will buy you a flagon of watered-down milk in any good tavern. Are we really thinking about heading back to that accursed place?"

He gives a grin, wiping his hand across his mouth, muttering.

"A bit of food would go down proper."

[Jeff]

In the early morning, the last of the food is gathered together for breakfast.

With breakfast out of the way...

Even so, Goran is able to scrounge for the remaining scraps from breakfast.

[mike]

"Until then, it's all just speculation."

"Agreed," says Torhak. "I would just prefer to be prepared for any possibilities that come up when we reach they manor. "

"I prefer my fights to be direct, but if we are prepared to be more stealthy, or perhaps disguised ... it gives us the best chance of finding what we need to know, and slaying our enemies."

[Josh]

"I can't imagine how a party as diverse and equipped as our own would be able to effectively disguise itself. I think a cautious, observant approach will be our best bet. I'm hoping we still have the advantage of being unexpected, but there's no way to know.

"Well, shall we go?"

[Joe]

Streko listens in and shrugs. "Point the way and I shall go there. I trust in Kalarian's tactical and strategic skills and will do what my meager abilities allow." Streko smiles at the group.

[Ken]

"Sounds good to me," says Belarin. "Stealthy infiltration is better than my idea of posing as an Emerald Claw pincushion. Not as challenging, mind you, but better.

"Say, I have a question before we go: I know Malov wants this book you're carrying, but do you know for certain that he's ever possessed it?"

[Darren]

Kal studies Belarin a moment. "We don't know for certain, but we have a pretty good guess that the changeling we got the book from stole it from Malov. Why do you ask?"

Kalarian walks over to Goran. "Before we head back to the obelisk, let's look at that map again."

____________
Jeff, if you have that graphic, can you just put it up here again? I was looking for it, but I can't remember where it is.

[Ken]

May 29, 2008 12:26:04 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kal studies Belarin a moment. "We don't know for certain, but we have a pretty good guess that the changeling we got the book from stole it from Malov. Why do you ask?"

"Theories, theories, theories, Lord Kalarian .... they whisper in my head often, and every now and then, one of them even makes sense," says Belarin, now pacing excitedly. "When we get back from this morning's fun, I'd like to examine that book, if I may. I know quite a bit. I wouldn't even mind company ... perhaps the little dragon! He could be very helpful." He clasps his hands, back in the moment. "But that's for later. Ready to leave."

[Darren]

Kalarian chuckles at the words "little dragon". "Yes, the little dragon has examined the book already. He claims to be the world's foremost scholar in...well, everything. He knew the book was instructions for creating gateways between planes. Or something of that sort."

Kal examines the map. "I'd be willing to bet that this is a map of Shadowcrest Manor. Let's find it and see, shall we?" Kalarian motions for everyone who is travelling to move towards the ground.

On the way out, Kal stops Amal with a hand on his shoulder. He holds out the finely crafted Deneith longsword he had been carrying. "It seems you are in need of a proper weapon, my friend. A weapon befitting a warrior of House Deneith. I'm not sure what we're facing up ahead, but I know you will fight as a soldier should."

[Jeremy]

Goran nods at Kal's suggestion, and leans over the map, studying it carefully.

"Forest of Secrets...hmm." I must admit I feel as though that should ring a bell. But...I don't know. That black spot is clearly the point of interest on the map. The idea that it's a gate somehow, or one of a pair of gates, keeps coming to my mind. Perhaps there is a matching gate in this Forest?"

---

Jeff, is there any chance that the Forest of Secrets is a title that Goran might recognize?

[Darren]

"I believe the Forest of Secrets is the very Whisper Woods in which we stand, and that the Pillar of Shadow is the obelisk dedicated to the Shadow which we found last night. I would guess that the obelisk marks the path that will lead to the manor, and I would guess that this drawing is a map of the manor itself. This circular area, for instance," he says, tracing a finger along the bottom of the map, "is likely some sort of tower. The black square may be an area of particular interest, and should we find that this picture lines up with what we find when we arrive, I suggest we head to that spot, first."

[Marcy]

May 29, 2008 16:42:48 GMT -4 Darren said:

"The black square may be an area of particular interest, and should we find that this picture lines up with what we find when we arrive, I suggest we head to that spot, first."

Charis leans over to get a closer look at the map. Then she straightens.

"I agree. We should get moving soon; surveillance and infiltration will be much easier if we can find the manor during the daytime. And as the black area appears to be one of the manor's exterior rooms, we might even get lucky enough to find it has a window."

She looks about for Ralsor. "Speaking of which, Captain, I don't suppose you'd happen to have a set of lock picks on board? They will probably come in handy."

[Darren]

"I think there may have been a set amongst Pel's belongings," Kalarian says, his voice holding a bit of sadness.

[Jeff]

"Right," Ralsor says merrily. "Not my sort of business."

"And I have a set as well," Mist says simply, but makes no offer of it.

Grafth does indeed recall that Pel had a set of lockpicks.

[Marcy]

May 29, 2008 18:16:01 GMT -4 Jeff said:

"Right," Ralsor says merrily. "Not my sort of business."

Charis cocks an amused eyebrow at that, clearly unconvinced.

She looks to Kal. "Perhaps we could borrow them for this excursion, then?"

[Joe]

"We should also ensure that our possessed friend cannot wriggle out of her bindings. It would be quite unpleasant to deal with a being who can physically mimic any one of us, especially should Malov wish to eliminate us one at a time."

Streko looks ill. Just the thought of injuring his friend makes him want to wretch.

[Darren]

Kalarian gives Streko a sympathetic look. It's clear that he, too, feels sadness over Pel's sacrifice. "I am sure that Pel would want us to use whatever we need to see Malov brought to justice. As for her security, I am certain that Mist and Ralsor will make sure she stays where she is." He looks to Ralsor and adds, "And make sure she doesn't know WHERE she is. If she discovers our location, it means Malov will know we're here, and that's the last thing we want."

[Ken]

May 29, 2008 15:53:34 GMT -4 Darren said:

Kalarian chuckles at the words "little dragon". "Yes, the little dragon has examined the book already. He claims to be the world's foremost scholar in...well, everything. He knew the book was instructions for creating gateways between planes. Or something of that sort."

"'The foremost scholar' ... why, does he now?" says Belarin, a wide grin across his face. "That's simply precious. Well, I look forward to comparing notes with him later." He moves toward the hatch, ready to descend as soon as everyone has what they need. "Captain, could you please make sure Relith gets some food and water? He could still be useful, and he's a better conversationalist when he's conscious."

OOC: As mentioned in the other thread, I may be unavailable until Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, but I'll try to pop in a couple of times beforehand.

[Jeremy]

Goran looks at Kal, unable to conceal the fact that, for once, he's impressed with the Deneith's guesswork.

"I'd suspected it might be this forest, but I had not connected that obelisj with this map, not for a moment. It did have a sinister power to it, no denying."

He tightens his belt.

"Ready when anyone else is. I suggest we plot out a specific direction before we penetrate the forest for any great distance, and that I lead when we do, with Grafth beside me, where his nose can be of the best use...Kal should be in the rear so we have some muscle back there, with Streko, and the others in the middle where they can help out as needed. That's my two coppers, anyway."

[Darren]

"Good thought, Ranger," Kal says. "Plus, with Tangat with me in the back, his keen senses should alert us to danger before it's too late." He gives his canine friend a friendly, but withering, glance. "That is, of course, if he can keep himself from chasing rabbits, again." Kal laughs as he scratches the dog behind the ears.

[Jeremy]

Goran leans down to Tangat, and gives him a good scratch behind the ears. He pulls a scrap of meat from inside his jacket.

"I was saving this for later, but I think perhaps it might persuade him from chasing rabbits?" he gives the slip of meat to Tangat.

Goran stands, wiping his hands and looks at Kal.

"Just be ready with that inner voice of yours, if you see anything behind us. Your sharash may be needed in front as well as behind the party." The half-elf seems strangely thoughtful.

"A foresight is upon me, friends. I sense we are about to get ourselves into more than our customary amount of trouble, and that's always been more than enough for any of us. You've done well enough leading us, Deneith, let's hope this direction proves fruitful. My heart tells me it will be...if we survive it."

With that Goran turns to his blade and his bow, to be sure all is right and ready. Kal and anyone else in earshot could tell that Goran was not merely being dramatic with his choice of words.

[Josh]

"It could be possible that this drawing is of the very place we are headed, Shaadowcrest Manor. Could things truly fall into place so snugly?"

The shifter pauses, considering something internally. "I've been thinking about the book. We're in an unfortunate position. It's probably not best to bring t directly into what could be the enemy's headquarters, and yet, with Pel in her current state, I'd hesitate to leave it here. In either case, there is a good chance of accidentally delivering the very thing we've been keeping from Malov."

[Joe]

"Grafth, as long as we keep it hidden in the scry-safe box, no one will know that we even have it. Should Malov or one of his associates attempt to search us, they will find we don't have it. Perhaps then, they will leave us alone, although that is probably just wishful thinking. Still, I would rather find a safe hiding place on board this ship for the damned thing rather than risk taking it with us. I will, however, defer to more strategically minded individuals in this matter."

[Darren]

"I do not believe it is fair for us to burden Captain Ralsor with stewardship of the book, especially not while we may be so very close to those who want to take it. And while I agree that we may be accidentally bringing it to them, I think it is safer with us than anywhere else. Be mindful, my friends, of what we carry, and everyone keep an eye on the ranger. We must begin to work as a single unit, to watch eachother's backs, to fight like brothers. We work with a single purpose now." Kal looks around a each member of the party, assessing them, appraising them, feeling confident in their ability to work as a team. "Let's go," he says.

[Jeremy]

Goran nods again at Kal's words.

"If I fall, be mindful immediately of what I bear in my pack. You should decide amongst yourselves now, or while we walk, who will take over carrying it so there is no disagreement."

Goran sniffs the air, and takes a moment to immure himself in his element once more. He bends down, running his fingers through the grass, and mutters a bit.

"Taking to the air is fine for some, but give me the earth beneath my feet.' He inhales deeply once more, and turns to the others.

"Be ready, we hit the ground running...as it were."

---

Jeff, what more detail can you tell me about the landscape...details that Goran would find salient?

[Jeff]

Gradually Ralsor brings the Thunderhead down from its lofty height. As it nears the sight of last night's battle, you don't see anything from above that looks conspicous. It would appear nothing's changed, and no one has come to retrieve the now-burned up corpses. The warforged still lie inert. Even Charis's cage is precisely where she left it.

Twenty feet from the grass, Ralsor and Lever open up the hatch in the cargo deck, tossign down the rope ladder. When Goran makes it to the ground, he falls into his ranger's survery of the land, searching for anything that's different...

Ralsor, Mist, Lever, Fherina, and Misha regard your "field crew" as you ready to join Goran on the ground. "Is there anything we need to plan? Contingencies? Signals for help? I'm not sure I want to bring the Thunderhead into view of this Shadowcrest Manor...but if I'm available to come soaring in to your rescue—should you need a speedy escape—it might be good to agree on a method." He looks sidelong at Charis. "I know I'm going to spend much of my day looking for signs of that other airship. I'm really not equipped for such an aerial fight, and I don't have the manpower for it. Fortunately, she's a fast ship." He stamps his foot on the ground affectionately.

It takes a few minutes, but Goran only notices one thing new in and around the area: there seems to be a new set of tracks: a lone person with soft boots who seems to have circled around the area during the night.

The "pillar of shadow," the black-rock standing stone*, still looms over the scene.

__________________________

Is Grafth going to retrieve Pel's lockpicks to give to Charis? Or anything else from her gear that he would like to bring along?

Is there anything I'm forgetting? I've been scatter-brained lately.

*It's rough and irregularly shaped, by the way. An obelisk is something else, a more precisely shaped four-sided structure.

[Jeremy]

Goran sniffs a couple more times, then turns to the others when they get off the ladder.

"Someone's been here. Someone's checked out this camp. Briefly, I think, but carefully. These tracks are fresh."

---

Jeff, can Goran where the tracks came from, and/or where they went? Thanks.

[Marcy]

"The necromancer, perhaps?" Charis asks, worried. "If he gets to the Manor before we do, we haven't much hope of surprising whoever waits there."

---

IfGrafth does not offer, Charis will ask again for the lock picks.