BlackBerry sat at the table and with a strange sense of not-quite-deja-vu. He watched and listened to Lizbeth as she went over the letter again in Abyssal with the dawning realization that he had been in nearly exactly the same position that Lizbeth was now in; a young child with knowledge they shouldn't have and without a clue as to how.
Lizbeth said she didn't know how she knew Abyssal, and BlackBerry believed her.
The initial shock had now worn off and he was able to keep his face locked into one of mild but calm concern. His leg bouncing frantically betrayed him however, and his thoughts scrambled in his skull trying to slot this new piece of a puzzle into place while at the same time trying to work out how to calm Lizbeth down. Bravely she was trying to keep a brave face but BlackBerry could see the gaping holes in her mask. She was scared.
"Well. Well that is quite alright, Lizbeth." He kept his voice low, quiet, as soft as he could. He pulled the offending pages across the table towards him. Folding both the offending pages together and held them up. "In Any case we shall get to the bottom of this."
Pinched between his fingers the offending letters hung in the air. He hoped he could inspire at least some comfort in the poor girl. But the first instant he got BlackBerry planned to question Madame L'Rose about the sort of man her father-in-law had been. Something rotten was going on around here and BlackBerry was going to get to the bottom of it, one way or another.
"If I may try to lessen at least one worry, Lizbeth. I have been in almost the very same position that you find yourself; knowing a language you have no knowledge of ever having gained." BlackBerry paused for a moment to chew his cheek wondering if this was really the right thing to do. He plunged forward and in the Abyssal tongue spoke. "I also haven't a clue why I can speak Abyssal. I simply remember waking up one day and found the words sitting on my tongue. Y'know I was so scared that I just stopped talking. For years I didn't say a single word. Practically mute, some even thought I was deaf."
BlackBerry leant across the table and in a stage whisper behind his hand, trying to make light of the situation, asked in the common tongue, "Can you perhaps guess then, what happened when people found out?" He waited a beat for Lizbeth to wonder or answer, before he gave a shrug and leant back in his chair. "Nothing. Admittedly they were shocked, of course, who would not be? But in the end it made no difference to those who knew me that I could speak such a language."
This was not, of course, the whole truth and BlackBerry hoped that Lizbeth would not see through his half lie. BlackBerry could no longer remember what it was he as a young child had been found reading, whether it was a scrap of parchment or a bound tome he had stumbled upon, but he remembered the shock and fear that had rippled through the Monastery. While Brother Rorvil and several others had come around to the fact without a second thought, it had taken the rest much longer. It had been a lonely period for BlackBerry. Even now, an old rumour that he had survived that storm by a devils kiss would occasionally resurface.
But Lizbeth didn't need to know that. If BlackBerry could take away or soften the blow of even one of the many questions and fears that accursed letter had dumped upon the poor girl, then the lie was worth it.
"But onto more important matters." The letters disappeared under his poncho as a smile appeared on his face. BlackBerry put some faith into the old saying 'out of sight, out of mind'. Slapping the table enthusiastically he did decree, "Tea! A marvellous idea indeed Victoria. I for one could do with something warm before some shut eye. We are all simply exhausted and no good ever comes from making rash decisions especially after a night of hard work and no sleep. Actually, now that I think about it I do believe I may have some biscuits stashed away somewhere to go with. I may not look it but I can make a marvellous spread of treats myself. We can fill in the other two on what we have uncovered about this 'Farndip el famal cabbage al hazard', once they get back in from...whatever it is they are doing."
BlackBerry stood up and headed towards the kitchen to find the promised treats. A second after entering the kitchen, his head then reappeared around the door frame.
"And Lizbeth. You are of course more than welcome to sit and rest here for a while. Either myself, or perhaps even Kosara or Victoria can walk you back once you are ready."
BlackBerry had to admit that Kosara raised an interesting point on their way back to the Coach House with their Guests no doubt enjoying scenery from the back of the wagon.
"Do you suppose, Kosara, that given the timing of us finding those in the Distillery and our Guests arriving that perhaps the two are related?" Walking alongside Old Boy, BlackBerry followed the road and the thought. "We now have two appearances of undead, not counting dear Morty of course, and you know what they say; 'Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Thrice is a problem.' Now then. If you do not mind, I shall leave our Guests in your caring hands you two while I put Old Boy to bed and then make us all a hot drink if Victoria and Lizbeth have not done so already."
After positioning the cart close to the empty workers rooms for the two woman BlackBerry then unlatched Old Boy from the wagon. The mule didn't need any encouragement back to his stable where the very instant BlackBerry had removed his equipment Old Boy gathered some hay beneath himself and lay down for a well earned rest.
"We have returned. Oh, Good morning again Young Lizbeth." BlackBerry announced through a yawn as he came into the Coach House. "Lady Kathryn and Kosra are seeing to our Guests. Let me get the fire going again and we can finish off the last of the marvellous drink from fast night."
BlackBerry beelined for the hearth at the end of the room and got to work clearing away the ash from the surviving smouldering embers, and make room for new material. Yes, he mused, we shall have a roaring fire again in no time and hot cider to warm us all. Lady Kathryn dashing through only to help herself to another helping of the 'Reclaimed Brandy' promptly earned a sour look. Gods knew what her or Victoria were thinking drinking that stuff.
It was when he was plucking fresh tinder and wood from the pile that his attention turned (without his permission as eavesdropping was rude) to the conversation going on behind him. He turned and his eyes locked onto Lizbeth. Colour drained from his face. He knew that language. He knew the words she was saying. Where Victoria stumbled over the guttural sounds and twists of the throat, Lizbeth would repeat, correct, carefully moulding the sounds into words and then repeated in the common tongue.
How?
"Lizbeth." BlackBerry's voice crawled along the floor. "How do yo-" A muted shattering noise from somewhere outside cut him off, and replaced tension with bafflement. He went to stick his head out the door to see what all the fuss was about. "Nothing to worry about. Lady Kathryn and Kosara appear to have everything under control."
The door clicked shut. Turning towards Victoria and Lizbeth he held a finger to his lips. "Now, where were we?" In the ensuing silence he recaptured the thought. "'Al Hazred'" The word tumbled in his mouth with unfamiliarity. "'Al Hazred'. Yes, I do believe I read about in a book concerning the Necromantic Wars; a place somewhere to the south, a desert perhaps? The clothing our Guests are wearing does put one in mind of Kosaras own. With any luck the name might mean something to her."
He now stood at the table with Victoria and Lizbeth, His eyes fell upon the letter, and the written fruits of their labour. He picked up the Letter that their Guests had handed to them and, now that he knew what he was looking at, suddenly felt very foolish indeed. Perhaps he was simply that tired to have missed the clues, or perhaps he had not wanted to see them?
He folded the letter with a heavy sigh and placed it back on the table. "I see you both have been busy as well. Yet more pieces of this very strange puzzle. Lizbeth." Looking down at the girl, BlackBerry felt as if he were about to step onto very, very thin ice. "May I ask, and I will accept if you do not wish to answer, but how is it that you know Abyssal?"
When Victoria went to peel a layer of clothing from one of the Attendant Guests BlackBerry stuck out his tongue, and wrinkled his nose in clear disgust. Granted, it probably made no difference to the Guest themselves but he could hear years of filthy stickiness fighting to keep the fabric in its grasp. The only saving grace in this moment was that Victoria chose to magic the fabric clean with her trusty Prestidigitation. Sadly, that did not extend to help the faint smell wafting from the stripped Guest.
"Gods. They do remind one of an onion, do they not?"
He did trust Victoria's assessment though that for all the Guests smiling and standing, they were just puppets. Nothing more intelligent than lumps of very, very expired flash made to prance about to do their masters bidding. But then who was pulling the strings?
He could feel the headache he sensed earlier now finally arriving. Wiping his face BlackBerry came to fully understand how tired he was, but a look towards Lady Kathryn made him realise he could be feeling a whole lot worse; the knight looked nearly dead on her feet. He tucked his arm back under the poncho in an effort to reclaim any shred of heat he could. Alongside Lady Kathryn he waited with baited breath as she reeled off a few languages at their Guests without being granted even a hint of a reaction. At her suggestion he nodded and stepped up to the largest figure.
In Draconic he spoke. "Alright. Morning, Name's BlackBerry. Not trying to be rude but who am I actually speaking to?" The Guest didn't move or even so much as move a single rotten muscle. Despite feeling a bit foolish BlackBerry continued. "Hello? Is there something else you're wanting to do or can you just...leave?"
No reaction. Pinching his chin he then wondered if maybe Undercommon might do it. He had heard from the adventurer who taught him that Undercommon was used more by the subterranean people, and corpses were supposed to be underground.
"Hello. My name is BlackBerry." His Undercommon speech was markedly slower, and for a few moments he paused to try and figure out the words. It had been a while since he had last needed. "Why are you here? Can you leave?"
Again no reaction.
Clicking his tongue in frustration he addressed Lady Kathryn, in common once again. "This is ridiculous."
Looking back at the estate it was all calm and quite....for now. If more people turned up and the corpses were still here it could really cause some panic. A part of him sitting on his shoulder suggested following Victoria's lead and just leaving the Guests to their own devices. If they were really puppets and had done all they needed to then they weren't any harm. But they were clearly the result of necromancy, and even BlackBerry after the exciting events of last month and being around...Morty, still had the inbuilt sense of dread and disgust at the mere suggestion of the act.
"Oh." He stared at the sky hoping one of the gods would give him the strength he so sorely needed at this moment. "Oh, hang it all. A pox on this damn thing and all." BlackBerry instinctively flinched hunching his shoulders over his ears after uttering the curse. Somethings habits just never died. "Well...well, well well. We can not simply leave our Guests out here in the cold, or in sight of decent company now can we?."
Oh yes we could. Said that part of him again which longed to be inside with a warm drink and his feet up by the fire. We very much could.
It was unfortunate the Victoria had already excused herself from the situation, and even more unfortunate she had taken Morty and his wagon with her. He trusted Victoria's judgement on the matter of the Guests, she was the resident expert of the group after all on such matters, but he doubted Madame L'Rose would be willing to see it that way. Better safe than sorry after all.
"Come. Let us get Old Boy and bring our Guests inside. We have plenty of room and better to keep an eye on them until..." He waved his hand in the air, fishing for an idea of how to end the thought. "Until we figure out what is to be done with them."
With that he stomped his way back to the coach house but refrained from going in side so as to not disturb Victoria from her own work trying to translate the letter. With any luck by the time he once again returned, and put away the Guests somewhere secure and out of sight, Victoria would have finished translating the letter and greet them all with the answers to all their questions. But a little flag was waving as his mind turned back to the letter written in that old script, a bell in his mind rang with warning dread. He ignored it as just another sign he was tired. The letter had been delivered by undead that had seemingly just appeared in the middle of the night, if he had any other feeling than dread he wouldn't have been in his right mind.
With that reassuring thought keeping him energised, BlackBerry got to work setting the wagon up and convincing Old Boy crawl away from his comfy stable for one last task. The Mule was not stupid however, and only stopped trying to bite after BlackBerry promised him all the sugar cubes and tasty fruit he wanted for the next three months.
"And there we are." BlackBerry proclaimed with the last of his enthusiasm when he returned to the hill with Old Boy and the wagon. "Let us get them all loaded and back to the Coach house."
BlackBerry traipsed his way through the snow, back up the hill to the others and the visitors, arriving just in time for Kosara's suggestion of their guests. He Pinched his chine and tilted his head at the idea, and the subsequent thoughts that followed it that made him grimace in distaste.
"As I said Kosara, it is an old Dialect. Myself I have only seen it written less than a handful of times, and very little of it at that. Whomever they are representing I am at a loss as to why they would communicate in such a way." Lost in his thoughts, he failed to notice Kosara's staring contest with their most-leader-like...visitor. BlackBerry continued. "Did I hear correctly, Victoria, that you could translate it? If you need some assistance I would be more than happy to help in any way I can."
His attention now on Victoria he noticed Kosara trying, or more accurately failing, to hide behind her. Alarm bells rang. In one swift movement, BlackBerry spun round to face the bodies in a fighting stance ready to retaliate.
As before, nothing happened. The stoic statues simply stood silently together smiling at them all.
"They moved." BlackBerry took a step back, drawing level with Victoria but kept his eyes locked on the visitors. "When did that happen?"
This observation did not bode well at all. They were all tired, unequipped and woefully unprepared for a fight should it come to that. His thoughts then turned dark wondering how the Estate might fair should they fall to these visitors. But then again, other than looming menacingly in the distance, their visitors had done nothing untoward as of yet. If they meant any harm then surely they could have done so during the night when everyone was busy working and often barely in sight of each other. But instead they had simply waited, the tracks proved they had just moved to the top of the hill sometime during the night, assuming they hadn't been appearing here-there-and-everywhere beforehand.
Undead dressed in desert clothing, now leagues away in Avonshire, with a letter written in 'Olde Draconiq'.
Giving the Guests another once over; all human, he then suggested. "I could try talking to them?" BlackBerry didn't sound convinced. "It is possible they may understand modern Draconic." Dropping his voice to a low murmur he leant towards Victoria, and Kosara. "We can not leave them here. Either let us take them out now or someplace we can keep an eye on them all."
Dragon Born, Monk (Astral self), Level 05 HP: 40 / 40 Armor Class: 16 Conditions: Exhaustion (1) Location: Fields near the Estate House -> Corpse Party on the hill Action: Survival (20) Bonus Action: N/A Reaction: N/A Ki: 5/5
BlackBerry gladly let Jon take Old Boy from him. The mule had become ever more intolerable as the night had wore on from being just as cold and tired as BlackBerry was. In his mind the pair could do with not seeing each other for a while or at least until they had had a chance to sleep away their sour moods. Kosara quickly stepped past him and strode confidently ahead, straight to the strange figures still standing resolutely still atop the hill above them.
"Good gracious. Already on the move and one to take the lead as always Kosara. Do wait a moment would you. Ah never mind." Worry nagged at his tired thoughts. There was something strange about those figures and he bit his lip at the idea of Kosara being there on her own. Quickly setting off after her, he slowed down and hopped sideways just long enough to quickly say towards Lizbeth. "Worry not Young Lizbeth, we shall return before you know it. Best you go and rest up after last night, you appear frightfully exhausted. Oh! And do check on your Aunt as well!"
Sparing not another thought he spun back around and trudged up the hill after Kosara. BlackBerry kept his eyes downturned and focussed on the ground in front of him, focussed on keeping his legs steady and tired feet landing in Kosara footsteps so he wouldnt have to push through any snow drifts himself. Shortly after Kosara, he arrived to the same awful, macabre sight of the undoubtedly dead bodies. They were human, that much was still obvious, and BlackBerry couldn't help but think of Kosaras own clothing when he saw the silk garments and threads waving lazily in the breeze.
"Well...I daresay this is less than reassuring. I dread to think we had an unknown audience during the night." His thoughts turned to the bodies they had found in the hidden distillery not long ago. He saw Kosara scrunch her nose in thought "Copper for your thoughts, Kosara?"
That grim feeling of unease took its usual spot in his stomach, which then did an impressive backflip when Kosara plucked the ribbon tied letter from the standing corpses hand. BlackBerry snapped into a defensive pose, snow crunching under his feet, and waited for an attack. Several seconds past without a sound or movement from the gathered corpses.
But nothing happened.
His glare was dawn away from the bodies once Kosara had finished reading the letter. For a moment he had thought she had read something on it. BlackBerry, tiredness testing his patience, didn't hold back the disgruntled sight which he immediately regretted.
"May I see? Please."
Tied eyes struggled to focus on the squiggles on paper that was handed to him and he turned so the sun lit it better. His eyes grew to the size of dinner plates and then were promptly crushed by eyebrows slamming down. He read the letter. He read it again, and then a third time. BlackBerry lifted himself out of the letter with a heavy sigh and a troubled look.
"Well this is....this is very surprising. I believe it might be written in Draconic, or some form of it at the very least. Do give me one moment." He sounded uncertain however, and squinted again at the paper. "Yes...yes, definitely Draconic. However, It seems to be a very old dialect. I must admit it makes little sense to me." BlackBerry's voice was quiet, subdued, trailing off as he handed the paper back to Kosara with his eyes turned downward. His fingers began to tap, tap, tap against his thumb.
Into the silence he cleared his throat and seemed to quickly rally himself. "Well. I suppose have yet another mystery on our hands. And to add one more to the pile I, for one, would like to know just how these..." He waved his hand at the direction of the bodies. "...corpses got here." Following that train of thought like a lifeline he crunched his way through the snow around the upright corpses, careful to keep out of their assumed reach, towards their rear. "Ah ha! Here, there's a trail of footprints leading away from them." Tired as his eyes were they still worked, and he pointed into the shallow dents in the snow of obscured footprints leading in a straight line away from them.
Captured by this clue and eager to make himself useful BlackBerry followed the trail, careful to walk alongside it rather than in it, down the other side of the hill. He continued to follow the trail until it stopped so suddenly that he overshot it by several steps and had to double back to find it again. Anyone watching the shiny blue dragon born would see him looking at the ground and then this way and that, and even a full spin.
"Bloody buggers came out of nowhere." BlackBerry called back up to the others. "Popped out of the ground like daisies or something like. Good spot I must say. No sign of the watch tower or the house from here." He continued shouting back at the other as he was already stomping his way back up the hill.
BlackBerry's teeth chattered madly despite his best efforts and Master Urmdrus' tea. While thankfully his toes had stopped hurting, this was worryingly because couldn't feel them anymore. He stomped the ground several more times just to be certain and was rewarded with only the dull sting on each impact. BlackBerry closed his tired eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Standing beside Old Boy he took a deep breath in of the icy air, stinging his nostrils, and then let it all out again in a long cloud of fog. It had been a very long night. If Jon so much as breathed with a hint of a complaint at him, BlackBerry was going to start biting. The first rays of morning sunshine struggling to climb over the horizon brought him a sense.
He would need to find some warmth soon, and a gentle huff from Old Boy suggested he wasn't the only one. Taking the reins in hand, he urged the tired mule on towards the Estate House were the promise of a kind word and a hot drink awaited.
The pair walked with a slow trudge of the very tired and only half aware of the frosty ground crunching steadily beneath their footsteps. He could see in the fields on either side also making their way back to the Estate House, like a flock of birds converging upon their nests, now that the work was done. He let out a sigh mixed equal parts pride at a job well done, and desperation for a long sleep and a hot bath.
He occasionally caught sight of Lizbeth dashing across the fields in the same manner of Kosara and Victoria tirelessly lighting fires and placing braziers. It was surprising how much energy the young squire in training had. He made a mental note to make sure she got some rest as well. No doubt at some point the dear would hit her limit and it was going to hurt.
Nearing the Estate house, he caught sight of something in the corner of his eye. He stopped and turned to look towards the east where a hill stood holding the rising sun atop its crest, and the silhouettes of five individuals. Confused, he shielded his eyes and squinted up at the figures in a fruitless attempt to pick out any details from them. Ever looking to help someone in need, he let go of the reins for a moment to wave up at the figures.
"Hello there!" He called as loud as he could hoping they would hear him across the fields. "Are you lost?...Hello?" BlackBerry stopped waving. The figures weren't moving. Even if they hadn't heard him he would have expected some movement. "Strange." He mused to Old Boy. The mule simply flicked an ear.
He reclaimed the reigns and moved on once again towards the Estate House to find Victoria, Morty, and a few others standing around just before it. He drew Old Boy to a stop and gave a friendly wave to them all.
In the classic way of someone summoning the last of their energy from the dregs of their reserves, BlackBerry took a deep breath in and smiled tiredly to everyone gather. "Ah! Well good morning everyone! Well would you look at that, we all survived and not a grape lost I dare say. See there, just as I told Madame L'Rose; the fields are warm as anything as I said they would, and in good time too." The energy of the message was somewhat lost under the frantic chattering of his teeth. "Could I be a bother and ask someone to take care of Old Boy for a spell? Perhaps take the thing back to the Coach House even. I spotted some people up on the hill just over there, and planned to go investigate. To Make sure none of the villagers had lost their way or become turned around in the dark." He threw his thumb over his shoulder back towards the hill.
Under the fog of tiredness in both body and mind, a little red flag appeared. He head turned back towards the hill, towards the figures in their strange position, four bowing to the fifth standing proud amongst them. They still hadn't moved.
With a frown, BlackBerry asked. "Am I right in thinking that there were no scarecrows or such like in that direction yesterday?" He squinted again at the figures. "I am quite unable to tell from this distance."
Well hey there! Hope you dont mind, I know the apply status says but I was wondering if you might be willing to squeeze in one more player?
Concept wise I am thinking another investigator rather than a battler BUT being more of a Miss Marple inspired character; little old lady who goes around solving murders, reporting on news events, and generally well known for her articles in one of the big pokemon news organisations. Happy to draw up a proper CS but wanted t odouble check first if you were open to the idea :)
BlackBerry felt a rising sense of pride as everyone rallied behind his words and dashed off to their assigned tasks quick as they could. A smile spread across his lips and he gave a self satisfied nod. Lady Kathryn had dashed off towards the store house, Victoria set off back towards the Coach House, and Kosara...in not so many words, brightened up the place.
While Victoria was away still retrieving Old Boy and Morty BlackBerry joined Lady Kathryn in her efforts to move equipment into the nearby fields under Cecily's direction. It was here, after placing a brazier for Madame L'Rose to light, that he was reminded of the reality of the situation the L'Roses now found themselves. He followed Madame L'Rose's gaze to the empty darkness and empathised her frantic impatience. He let out an sigh which promptly turned to fog in the freezing chill. Even with the whole crew lending a hand they were still running low on hands and if they didn't work quickly and efficiently it could all still be for nothing. BlackBerry bit his lip and began tap, tap, tapping his thumb on each of his fingers in worried thought.
As brother Rorvil would say; don't count your chickens before they hatch,
"Do try not to worry, Madame L'Rose." He tried to reassure her with a pat on the arm. "We shall have this all sorted by morning just you wait and see. Kosara and Victoria are excellent spell casters, with the pair of them working this whole field will be warm as anything. Just you see."
He set back to work until he spotted Victoria arriving with the animals and rushed over to meet her. "Marvellously done, Victoria." He said through chattering teeth as he took the reigns "I do hope Old Boy did not slow you down all too much. Come along, be a good chap. We have work to do."
BlackBerry took a few steps forward before the reigns pulled taught and he nearly ended up on his ass. He turned around to glare at Old Boy, and the Ass simply glared back. The mule had his ears flicked backwards in clear disgust after being woken up and dragged out into the bleak, cold night.
"Now, Now, Old Boy. Be a Good mule." BlackBerry tugged and pulled the disgruntled mule one begrudging step after begrudging step towards the storage shed. By the time they had arrived the pair were steaming simply from the effort of fighting each other. Thankfully some of the time lost dragging the damn mule was clawed back when BlackBerry spotted a Brazier politely into the wagon, followed by a few buckets, a shovel, and even a decent amount of fuel as well. BlackBerry gave a thumbs up and a cheerful, "Much Obliged Kosara!" towards the shining tiefling. Unfortunately, much to BlackBerry's annoyance, Old Boy wasn't any happier heading back. Those working near to the path along the field would a series of unrepeatable insults from the monk, that could turn the air almost as blue as he was.
"Fine. There." BlackBerry snapped at Old Boy, and looped the reigns around a fence post with added force for good measure. "I dare say it may have been quicker to simply carry everything here myself. Madame L'Rose has done you the great service of a dry hay and oats. And this is how you repay her in her time of need? Disgraceful." Blackberry sneered at Old Boy who simply snorted dismissively.
BlackBerry then set to work, after slinging one more insult towards the creature, dragging one of the braziers he had claimed out of the wagon and then down the small slope toward the field. His path only somewhat illuminated by the gathering frost reflecting the ever increasing number of fires sitting in neat rows throughout the field, and following the pattern he found the next spot. Lighting the fire with a stray tinderbox he had found in the shed was a bit of a hassle with only one arm but he made do. Back and forth he scurried, setting down braziers, buckets or digging pits for fires, and while he worked he sang a song.
It had started as just a small hum with a few words but it soon grew as BlackBerry remembered the tune;
For winter comes, aye winter rides She comes to us 'pon frosty tides So batter down the the hatches And clear away the fields
His song rose above him in little frosty clouds as he got to work in the frigid night air. His fingers quickly began to sting with chill despite his efforts hiding then under his poncho, and then under his arm pit trying to cling onto any semblance of warmth. Taking him completely by surprise was another voice joining his own, and then another would jump n from another part of the field, only for another to then lend its strength for a few words.
To the cold and the dark By fire light we still laugh For nights will be clearer Our loved ones draw nearer all under the harvest moon
It was going to be a long and busy night; even if they got all the braziers out in time to save the crops, BlackBerry could easily see them all still out to the early hours just keeping the fires fed. He took another breath and added his voice back to the song. They were all in this together.
BlackBerry charged down the path after Lizbeth. in the fields on either side he saw he pools of fire raging wildly. It was easy enough to see her her silhouette scrambling ahead of him, even through the falling fat flakes of snow whisking past his face. He was thankful that she didn't suddenly veer off into the fields on either side but instead continued straight on towards the Estate House, then came to a stumbling stop in front of an equally flustered looking Madame L'Rose.
Now this is curious. BlackBerry thought when came to a stop as well before Madame L'Rose. He had expected her to be in a panic, worryingly asking what was the matter in horrified shrieks. While there was still some panic in her voice it was more like that of someone with an arrow pointed to them rather than someone with an arrow in them.
Listening to Madame L'Rose and Lizbeth explain the situation he took another look at the fields around them to see the same pools of fire which he had thought were raging, were actually in fact very controlled atop braziers or in small buckets with the occasional silhouette of a farm hand blocking them from view. If he focussed hard enough he could just make out some of the farm hands scurrying in the fields, some made easier by torches they carried, as they all frantically worked away.
Then came Lizbeths plea for help, for them to do something, to use some fabulous skill or spell or what have you to make the whole situation fix itself. Neither of them may have said those words but the meaning was clear and Lizbeth was undoubtedly at an age, of good natured naivety to think such magic was possible. BlackBerry restrained a nervous grimace.
When Victoria spoke BlackBerry nearly jumped in surprise, so consumed by his own thoughts of pre-emptive guilt he hadn't heard her or Lady Kathryn approach, but it had the wonderful effect of clearing space in his mind for an idea to take root. He clicked his tongue a few times with a shake of his head in mock-disappointment at Victoria.
"Nonsense Victoria. There are still plenty of skills you have we can draw upon. And the same goes for the rest of us. We are The Ones Who Answered, and we never let a cry for help go unanswered even if it means simply putting in some 'hard graft' or a 'bit of elbow grease'." The idea was starting to grow into a plan, and with each word his voice took on another level of bravado. And volume even if the sentence did leave him towards the end.
"You heard Young Lizbeth everyone. Time is off the essence so here is an idea, but we must decide quickly if it is worth the effort." He drew all present company closer, the L'Rose's included. Addressing Victoria first he began to explain his plan. "Victoria, let us get Morty and Old Boy fitted to their wagons quickly to help equipment and supplies out onto the field. Morty's should fit between the trellises, if I am not mistaken, while Old Boy and myself can circle the perimeter. However I will admittedly need an extra pair of hands if possible. But I do already see a few spots the staff has started work on, where some more fire would prove most useful." Added with a quick look towards Kosara, in his mind the pair of them were likely speedy enough to get anything done in record time.
"Lady Kathryn." He snapped his fingers at the very well insulated knight. "We could use your impressive strength getting all the supplies up onto the wagons. Afterwards we should do well to handle setting everything up ourselves or otherwise helped by the farm staff already on the fields. However, between it all anything else you can do to aid the staff closest I dare say wouldn't go amiss." There wasn't time to waste any...well...time.
He paused for a moment to finalise the last of his thoughts and to gauge the reaction of the others. Would they think this was a good idea? Perhaps with a bit of luck either Lady Kathryn or Kosara might have some imaginative, genius solution hidden up their sleeves. The time it would take them to get Morty and Old Boy setup was the flaw in his current plan where perhaps only one of the two animals would be enough for the work, but he hoped the benefit of having the two animals working would offset this flaw. As it was he couldn't see any of the workhorses out, either they were out of sight in the darkness or the hands simply couldn't be spared to lead them.
Hands. He poked his head up from the huddle to cast another long look over the fields. The fires he could see didn't extend anywhere close to the estates edges. Even with Victoria and Himself leading the charge setting up equipment...how could they hope to keep everything going with so few staff.
"Madame L'Rose, Lizbeth. Are there any others of whom you could call upon to help? I fear even with us helping you are still several hands short"
Several days had passed since Jon had given Blackberry some...friendly advice to giving Old Boy some exercise. Thankfully it had only taken one early morning visit from Jon, banging on the coach house door before dawn to find BlackBerry already half dressed for another days work, to make sure the dragonborn was following his advice. The sight of BlackBerry taking Old Boy for meandering walks around the L'Rose Estate or even walking with the other stable hands and their charges through the empty fields to put Old Boy through his paces. Towards the end of the week, pair could even be seen heading out of the estate, though who lead who could easily be up for debate. BlackBerry of course followed Victoria's advice to keep away from Southmoor itself, but once she had given the all clear he had gone to run a few errands; namely buying yet another set of clothes and sending off letters. The price for sending it all had not been cheap, and anyone other than BlackBerry would have balked at the price.
But right now the warm and comfortable evening in the coach house had take a sudden turn with Victoria's outburst and retreat from the group. Even from Blackberry's spot by the fire, wrapped up in a poncho and his feet up to on another seat to enjoy the heat, felt the temperate in the room figuratively drop. He watched Kosara take point at the window to see how Lady Kathryn would go and reassure their friend. He waited, watching Kosara leaning out of the open window to something he couldn't quite hear himself. He let go of a breathe he didn't know he had been holding when Kosara hopped off the window with a smile.
"They will be quite alright. It would appear victoria has had a...ah, a bit of stressful time in Southmoor given the recent events." He turned to face Lizbeth. He put down his own mug of wine to try and wave away the girls worries. "Lady Kathryn will be able to turn Victorias frown upside down. Just you see." Blackberry pulling the sides of his mouth down and up for emphasis. "Best we do not crowd the poor thing in any case. Sometimes a kind word from one is better than from many. Oh do go on Kosara, we may as well, If you will teach me. But close that blasted window first before we catch a cold." With his worries now somewhat put to rest he felt ready to relax a bit more. "Though I will be the first to admit I am unsure of any dances. I am quite the novice."
He would follow Kosaras lead in whatever dance she could think of. But he kept his own several layers of clothing on. As they moved back and forth around the tables and chairs, a question burned in BlackBerry's mind demanding to be spoken. A few times he opened his mouth, the question clawing at his throat, but the question was for Lady Kathryn and Victoria as well, and best done without anyone else present. Banishing the question he instead asked things like "Am I doing this right?", "Which way do I move my foot?", "I put my hand here? Correct?", sometimes even humming a little tune and clapping his hand on his chest to an unheard beat. It was a fun little distraction while it lasted.
Then there was a noise under their own sounds of laughter and traipsing around the room. BlackBerry paused and, tilting his head towards the window, listened intently for it. It was a bell. It took BlackBerry a few moments listening to the bell ringing madly to understand what it was. Years of life experience took hold and in an instant wound every muscle and nerve tight. He was right on Lizbeths heels when the girl pulled the door open. His feet skidded through the snow in the courtyard when he came to a stop, snapping head this way and that, then spotting the distant flames.
"A fire?" He blinked several times several times and shielded his eyes from the fat, fluffy snowflakes trailing past. "In this weather? surely no-" Lizbeth then sped past him and out onto the path towards the fire with her winter cloak bellowing behind her. BlackBerry swore. "Lizbeth, hold on!" BlackBerry swore again. He dashed back to the coach house door and called in. "Kosara hurry. Several fires have broken out on the fields. Lizbeth has gone charging off on her own."
With that he turned again and sprinted across the courtyard and onto the path, haring after Lizbeth without even checking to see if Kosara had followed after him. He tore down the path towards the Estate House after the Lizbeth hoping to spot her either ahead of him or of the path already in the fields. With any luck he would run into either her or Lady Kathryn and Victoria. He could only hope the other two weren't in any danger.
The first letter is wrapped in a separate envelope addressed to Brother Rorvil, with the date of writing in the top right.
Dear Brother Rorvil
I hope this letter finds you in as good health and fortune as it leaves me.
My apologies as well for how long it has been since my last letter but I must admit since then there has not been much of note until recently, and it is only just now I have found myself in one place for long enough to sit down and put thoughts to paper. While I long to hear back from you I must admit I doubt this will reach you in good time and I will have moved on before this letter reaches you, and I have yet to plan out my next destination.
I find myself now for the season upon the L'Rose Vineyard estate which if I believe you had mentioned some years ago for some reason I no longer recall, though likely in regard to their marvellous wines gifted from a traveller. I now find myself as part of another Adventuring group, to whom our most gracious host Madame L'Rose has offered accommodation for the season, after our work clearing up a spot of bother in the Avonshire Township concerning an errant pack of were-rats lead by none other than the townships own sheriff! The ruffian had been partaking in various acts which I shall not sully paper to describe but will simply say the world is much better without. You may be surprised to hear I am taking the opportunity to learn from the resident Senior Stable Master, a most knowledgeable man named Jon, all that I may in such a time as to horse care. You see we have acquired a mule and I have grown somewhat fond of Old Boy, for that is his name.
As for Madame L'Rose she is as already mentioned very generous and a most wonderful host even after the number of hardships she has endured recently so I only hope we are been as courteous to her as guests. As luck would have it she has a daughter, just a few years older than Melody though very much like her but perhaps a tad more daring being more for for going out having adventures than to simply sit inside reading about them.
The adventurers and myself have been dubbed; *The Ones Who Answered* by the locals. I bit of a mouthful but apparently it refers to letters the others had received calling them to arms against the situation in Avonshire. The adventurers themselves are three who I shall describe to you in turn thusly.
Firstly, there is Lady Kathryn, a knight of stupendous skill with all manner of weaponry and one I can say from experience could hold her own against any foe brave enough to face her. Despite her intimidating size and strength she is as sweet as a lamb, really a most agreeable sort all round. She hails from the county of Arcanapple and more than happy to bend anyone's ear to all manner of tales of the place, or even of her own adventures before receiving her letter.
Secondly, there is Kosara who is either a wizard, or a warlock, or simply magically inclined. I forget the difference so must remember to ask at some point. Regardless, she is a most chaotic individual though I must stress she is not of a malicious nature, more so she appears to act upon nearly any impulse. But even such moments are interspersed with moments of equal insight and care for all others around her. Overall I am often left unsure what to think of the woman but she does keep things interesting.
Last but by no means least is Victoria Belmont. I would describe Victoria to possess as much shrewd cunning as she does musical talent, which is to say I would not wish to cross her in either sense. She is a bard but moreso of the magical sort such as we would have stop by the monastery on occasion. While I admit we two do not see eye-to-eye on certain subjects I would trust her to take all things into account before making a decision.
As to progress for my journey. I ask you keep this to yourself, are at the very least out of Melody's thoughts at all costs. I have made come to an impasse for you see the aforementioned Sheriff was working under instruction of another, one I suspect to be demonic or otherwise supernatural. Upon the sheriffs defeat myself and the others were offered power and knowledge by this being if we would only work for it. Before you worry yourself, no I have no accepted its offer, in fact the creature has made no further attempts to make contact since then. But it knew about my past, said it knew about the creature and that it was still out there just as I know in my bones it is! The being also seemed to know things about the others, for whom I shall respect their privacy and not put anything to paper but would wager all ring true. I'm uncertain of the others decision, if even they have paid it any further thought, or even if or how to broach the subject. Admittedly I am uncertain of my own decision. Uncertain if this is a test from the Gods or the saving grace I am so desperate for.
Please give my best to everyone and wishing you all good health, I will write to you again when I can.
Yours faithfully, BlackBerry.
The second letter is addressed to Melody, also with the date of writing in the top right corner.
Dearest Melody
Hello there my child, I do hope you are well; eating all your food, doing you chores and all that sort of thing while I am away. I am sorry it has been some time since my last letter but until very recently I have not been able to find time to put quil to paper.
My journey has taken me ever further from you over hills, through valleys and townships filed with all manner of people. While I do long to be home soon it has been a rather exciting adventure being able to see new places and meet new people. Upon one road I came across a travelling book shop manned by a very interesting gnome, and in another I swear to you was a troll demanding I pay a pleasantly reasonable toll to cross his bridge, and then some excitement in a small hamlet I aided in fighting off rats the size of Scruffy if not larger!
Right now I'm staying at a wonderful place called the L'Rose Estate in Avonshire well off far to the eat of our little home, you should ask one of the Brothers to find a map to show you where it is, and it is a very charming and beautiful place. I have even managed to make a few new friends on my travels, and we are all staying for the season at the estate. I think you'd really like them; there's Lady Kathryn, who is a most marvellous knight and could throw even a horse, but she is much to kind a soul to even dream of such a thing. Then, there's Kosara who I feel you would enjoy the most for your shared love of adventure and excitement. She could spin you a tale such that you would scarcely believe and with cook up such wonderful treats from her home in the desert which is a very far away place where this is no snow and rarely ever rains. Can you imagine such a place? And Finally, Victoria, a most ingenious bard, a very refined and proper woman, so very different from most of the adventurers you will have seen. Not only a bard, but also possessing a talent for magic as well! She is able to summon a horse, and even a bird she can see through the eyes of. How marvellous is that?
Our little group has already made a name for ourselves as The Ones Who Answered. Perhaps news of our exploits will have reached you before this letter? In any case you need not worry as I am quite well, and the terrors of evil have been vanquished! For you see there had been a spot of bother in the Avonshire Township where the local Sheriff and Constabulary had turned against the people, causing fear and mayhem throughout what should have been an enjoyable Harvest Festival. But of course, their wicked ways were no match for us and were promptly dispatched of and peace returned to the Township.
How I wish you could have been there to see the festivities for I am certain you would have enjoyed them all greatly. There was such wonderful music and delicious food which we do not have back home, they eat a lot less fish away from the shore and some I have spoken with have never eaten oyster before let alone know what it is. There is also a lot more snow even so early in the season as it is and I of course neglected to pack proper warm clothing. I have even had to buy shoes! Not the wrappings I normally end up wearing on occasion but proper shoes with soles and laces. While the shoemaker has done his best I must confess they are surprisingly uncomfortable. You must write sometime to tell me how you go about wearing these things day in and day out.
I really must go now though before I fill up another page with my ramblings. I must admit not much else has happened on my journey other than above but as soon as anything else happens I shall write to you as fast as I may and hopefully, with a bit of luck, I shall be able to hear from you as well.
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