[
Private to Eike; Goliad Brawnlimb: Goliad approached the obelisk beside Eike where both of them pricked their fingers with the thorny flower and let a few drops of blood fall on the stone. They watched in shock as the blood disappeared into the stone instantly, soaked up as though the pillar were a sponge. Both of them felt a tingle in their bodies, but it hardly equaled the buzz from a shot a whisky; it vanished a few moments later. It was clear to both of them that, if they wanted to gain what this pillar offered them, they would have to offer more blood, a lot more – a body's worth. . . and that it didn't have to be their own. . . But what was it exactly that the pillar offered? Even this much they didn't know.
Something caught Eike's eye in the moss-covered rocks that littered the base of the pillar, and he picked up a dagger from the dirt, one whose blade and hilt had been rusted beyond all recognition. This, too, tingled in his hand, bearing some kind of unknown power.
They glanced at each other, then at the pillar. They did not wish to kill each other – this much was obvious – to discover what this pillar did; and so, knew they did not have what the pillar wanted, at least at this time. With nothing more to be done, they decided to leave and return to their companions. But just as they were about to exit the clearing, Goliad remembered the blue flower, which he had unconsciously dropped a second time; he turned and looked for it and found it near the base of the pillar, except that it now looked nothing like it once did – it had died, its petals dry, brown, and withered.
So he left it there, wondering what kind of magic was at work here. Catching up with Eike, they left the obelisk together, wondering who built it, what purpose it served, why it was built – and in asking every question, they always knew in the back of their minds that there was only one way to find out.]
***
As Imbellem and Zoltan regained consciousness, their worst fears had been confirmed – Goliad had returned. Eike and Goliad, approaching from the woods, re-entered the campsite. Imbellem immediately dived for something to plug his nose.
"
Do not worry, friends," said Goliad assuringly. "
I have no more gases for this morning."
Imbellem ceased rifling through his sleeping bag and, hesitantly, decided to trust him on this.
"
Enjoy your walk?" asked Zoltan.
Eike and Goliad exchanged glances.
"
Yea," said Eike. "
It was fine." He left it at that.
They spent the morning packing their things, dismantling the campsite, and getting reading to start the day once more.
"
Well, all that remains now is to wrap up this mystery once and for all," said Zoltan. "
Manual Keirch is counting on us to find justice for his brother Henri's death. And though it's a good bet the Baron's responsible (not to mention he's got ties to Vaterland invading the north), we don't have any proof. It's up to us to get that proof."
"
And that proof," continued Eike, "
is waiting for for us in Baron von Auspitz's manor."
"
Yes, that is right my friends. Then what are we waiting for? Amazing adventure awaits!" cried Goliad.
Gathering their wits and their things, they headed back to the town of Varna. To their relief, the town gates were open and unguarded, like they typically were during the day. No mob waited to lynch them. No assassins waited to snuff them. No doubt the excitement of last night was passed of as some of the usual ruccus. And since the town of Varna, being a quiet place, didn't have any official townguard at all, there was no one to watchout for – except perhaps Ol' Phil, the gatekeeper they had seriously pissed off last night, and of course, cronies of the Baron.
They walked through town, seeing the townsfolk bustling along the street with their usual business. Passing by the General Store, they glanced inside and saw the shopkeeper was in an exceptionally good mood, sweeping with gusto (his date last night must have gone well). They continued through the main part of town and turned onto the road leading to the mine. There, half way to the mines, they saw the side road which led to the Baron's manor, its spires and high windows peaking out of a large copse of trees.
They went down it, continuing through the fields, then through the copse. Only after they had passed through a thick veil of pine did they see the manor. It was big, easily the largest building in town, and definitely the most stylish: Four stories high, antique architecture, freshly painted, gargoyles on the corners, a large set of doors in front, surrounded by garden, all encased by a wall of forest for privacy, yet able to see the whole town from its upper towers. The Baron knew how to live.
Out front a couple gardeners toiled, one in the flower bed, another in the hedges. Smoke rose from a chimney in the back, probably from the kitchens. Somehow, the adventurers knew they had to get inside. But how exactly? That was left up to them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:10, Sat 06 Aug 2016.