"This fog has such a way of making everything difficult. It always seems to come at the most unwelcome time! I suppose the best we can do is guard the entrances and make sure nothing comes in the compound. May the Dawnflower protect those innocents!"
"We might want to go and check on both groups. I'd suggest heading to the church first, then coming back to the compound. I don't like this fog one bit, who knows what we might walk into. But staying here all day sounds just as bad an idea."
The allies leave the barn and travel through the mists to the church. Nothing seems amiss. Some folks are still maintaining a vigil, watching out the windows, while others break their fast. According to Mordecai, the night was quiet with no signs of trouble.
After ensuring the church folk are safe, the Drearians head toward the Tull compound. There they also find nothing amiss. Everyone is alive and there are no signs of danger.
Our heroes stand amid the swirling mists hard by the vaguely discernible silhouette of the barn, debating what to do. Though their sight is occluded, their other senses aren't. They hear the muted crackle of a cheery fire and the mist carries a hint of the rich smell of smoke.
Then there is a roar and the cheery fire sound takes on the angry urgency of a maelstrom. The sun's dull glow is outshone by the bright, flickering yellow light of a bonfire somewhere in the western portion of the town. It is coming from somewhere well beyond the Tull compound.
After a long, quiet, anxious night, Jak’s nerves are on edge. The roaring sounds create a much-needed outlet. ”Was that the opening bid, first signs of bluff, or just noise from the bar?”
"It's worrisome." Ezekiel grinds his teeth, not liking the options. "Not really sure if we can chance it. We said we'd help the people, I think we best head back that way for now."
Jak rushes up to the roof, venting some excess anxiety in the physical exertion, then stands straining against the distance and mists.
From the barn roof, above the mist, the fire's position is much easier to guess, particularly with the column of smoke rising through the fog. It appears the Pegason house is thoroughly ablaze. Looking around, Jak also notes that a more modest trail of smoke is rising from the East and there is a hint of of firelight from that direction as well. At a guess, the Waveharp house has been set afire.
"Pegason's house and Waveharp house!" Jak barks down. "He's either very thorough or we're being baited. Can we make sure everyone's still at the church? The Tull house may be a target soon, but I guess we knew that."
He slides down the ladder, "Not to be harsh, but I think we prioritize the lives of the townsfolk over their houses at this point. If we can keep them in that church and try to keep the fires from spreading, maybe we can avoid additional deaths.... deal-makers notwithstanding. Let's touch base with Galt and Mordecai; make sure they know what's happening... and then head over to the Tull compound."
"Sounds like a plan to me. Belonging's can be replaced, loved ones cannot."
Jak nods and — unless there are objections or better ideas suggested — heads to fill in Galt and Mordecai. When he arrives, he pulls the two men apart from the people they're protecting, and quietly fills them in. "We need them calm and we need them safe. Whether you tell them what's going on... I'll leave that up to you. You know your folks better than we do. We should expect the other deal-makers' houses to go, as well. Should we be concerned about fires spreading from any of those? Or that people might have skipped out of here and are in one of those homes?"
He hikes a thumb in the general direction of the Tull compound, "We're going to go wait with the mayor and the Tulls. If things get dangerous, it's most likely to do so where they are. If you have any blessings or prayers, now's the time."
If they have nothing else, Jak nods solemnly to the two men, smiles encouragingly to the townsfolk with a thumbs-up sign, and heads back towards the Tull compound.
Galt and Mordecai do a quiet head count, and find that no one is missing. It appears the innocents are staying put, for the moment. The smell of smoke raises some concerns but Galt informs them about the isolated fires and reassures folks that they are safe in the church and anything destroyed can be rebuilt. You would say his hold over his flock is still pretty strong though some folks watch anxiously out the windows for any signs of spreading fire.
Galt conveys a blessing on your group as you head to the Tull compound...
As you reach the Tull compound, the smell of smoke weighs more heavily in the air. The Tulls and the the mayor don't try to hide their agitation. They watch the glow coming from the general direction of the Pegason house obsessively, when they aren't looking over their shoulders, halfway expecting to see knife-wielding dolls clinging to the mist-tinged windows.
Jak stops at the entrance to the compound, watching the smoke billow ominously up out of the mists.
”Mayor, Mr and Mrs. Tull… you guys alright?” When they turn to him , Jak holds up his hands in a stalling manner. ”Despite what you think, I don’t want anyone to die.” He continues watching the billowing smoke, trying to watch every direction at once.
”You know this town, so you’ve probably figured it out, but so far it’s the Pegason and Waveharp houses. We’re guessing the other deal-makers’ homes will join them soon. Father Galt and Mordecai say everyone is safely in the church, though, so hopefully no one will get hurt if thats the case.” He shrugs, his face set in a determined look. ”Which means it could get exciting here soon.” Whether invited in or not, Jak doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere.
Lyrica joins Jak and talks to the Mayor and the Tulls as well.
"Did any of you see who or what started that fire?"
After a long pause of looking out at the fire, Lyrica says, "Clearly whoever did it wants to instill fear in the lives of everyone in this town. It is sad to watch someone's home burn down, but I think it is better that everyone remain safe. I'm just glad that so many are safely protected in the church. Now we just need to make sure that the church is protected!"
All three step into the compound and welcome you thought they wear various shades of worry on their faces. Mr. Tull - an innocent despite the machinations of his wife - suggests, "Perhaps we should all retreat to the Church? It is holy ground. It could be safer?"
From the sky above, you hear the squabbling caws of what sounds like a legion of crows. Shortly there-after something drops into the center of the Tull compound with a dull clank and a meaty thunk. Through the mist you can see the silhouette of a strange object. It seems kind of like a hat, in that it has a broad narrow brim of some sort and a central mass offset from the brim.
As you approach closer, you see it is a silver serving platter with a head spiked to it, like a roast. Yenamro Waveharp's face gapes at you. What's left of his tongue lolls out. Zeke notes clinically that the head was taken with a single stroke across the neck, probably from a sizable, heavy blade since it neatly sheared through a vertebrae.
Written in delicate floral script along the platter's rim - penned with Waveharp's congealed blood - is a playful message.
... And then there were two. >:)
"Perhaps we should all retreat to the Church? It is holy ground. It could be safer?"
"It would certainly make protecting all of you much easier, but the safety of all of those innocents is still our biggest concern. Tell me, Mayor, do you get fires around here often? This cannot be a common occurrence."
As Lyrica recognizes the head, she quickly turns her head as she feels squeemish and calls out, "My dear Sarenrae, protect us! Waveharp has been murdered!"
Jak looks between the mayor and Mrs. Tull, his voice even, ”Lyrica’s right. We think any added protection the church has to offer should go to those we’re trying to protect most… the town’s families. We—”
He’s cut off by the landing of the message, and Jak frowns even as Lyrica squeals. ”If this is his plan to try to scare us… well…” Jak makes a self-effacing shrug, ”… it’s actually working pretty well.” He looks over at the mayor and the Tulls, giving a wide smile that doesn’t fully touch his eyes, ”Unfortunately for him, I’m told i’m either too stupid or foolish to know when to be proper scared.”
Jak continues looking around, now particularly interested in the local aviary population.
"Hey, Black!" Jak begins making a series of incredibly crude hand gestures at the two crows, then draws his bow and begins shooting at them.
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He talks while he shoots, ”I wonder" thwip thwip "how this translates" thwip thwip "across bird-talk.” thwip thwip
The crows look initially confused at the arrows whickering out of the mist at them. Then they caw and hop about agitated. As Jak rushes in close and puts an arrow into one of the birds - dropping it - the other shrieks and takes flight.
Jak walks over and kicks the bird farther out into the mist, then returns his bow to its case as he walks back to the group.
"Well, I don't know about you all, but I certainly feel better."
As the fleeing crow cries fade, another sound intrudes. There is a WHOOSH as another house - somewhere near the Pegason place - goes up in an impressive torrent of flame and smoke. As far as you know, it isn't a house that belongs to one of the guilty.
From down that road, you hear a contented sigh followed by a delighted chuckle at the flames and destruction. Then the chuckle turns into a light, fanciful, and unhurried whistling tune. Someone, a hundred feet or more away, is slowly meandering up the road towards the Tull compound, kicking stones and enjoying a pleasant walk in the spring fog.
Peeking over the fence, it isn't possible to see even the silhouette of the approaching traveler... yet.
Belatedly, you realise you didn't hear the sigh and laughter with your ears. It sounded within your heads.
"Jak, what in the world did you do?! I think that bird was a pet of that evil creature! Now he sounds really mad!"
"I can draw my sword, but I do not think that it will be much use against a creature who can send a house into flames at will and laugh about it in my head! Almighty Sarenrae, protect us! Quick, what do we do? Run? Hide? Stay? Speak to it and talk reason? Attack it? Whatever we decide, we will need to choose now!"
"My dear God, protect me and guide me! Let me do your will in this world, but let me live to do it for years to come!"
Though Waveharp's fate is not surprising to Marcus, the manner in which his head is delivered into their midst is enough to make him shiver in fear. He'd felt so confident after seeing some of the prophecy fulfilled in the White Barrow, but now his thoughts only fled to his family and how he hoped he could see them again. Why leave them fatherless, unprotected, just to die for some fools with too little sense to trade their own souls?
But their were innocent lives here, and some already lost. How could he face his own children knowing he'd let others die here? As the demon approached, Marcus turned to the deal makers and the hapless husband, frantically searching his mind for the right words to say.
Not much time, heed my rhyme--talk like this, Black gets pissed,but he can't hear you in the mist.
Marcus sets his shield and draws his axe, looking at the blessed blade with some doubt.
The whistling continues, getting ever closer to the compound. Over that, you hear Galt yell from the Church, "There's something coming from the East fields towards you! It's... No wait, it stopped! It stopped! It's at the gate to the churchyard. It's looking at us. I think it's looking but it hasn't come in.... God's help us. It's a scarecrow with a big scythe and a flaming jack-o-lantern head!"
The whistling comically changes to a wah wah waaaaaah briefly before resuming its upbeat measure.
"Ok, friends, here is a quick decision. Forgive me if I am wrong, but I think we should try and talk to it. If we don't like what it has to say, we can always attack it. If we don't think we will last long, we can always run. Are you all with me on this one?"
"My dearest Sarenrae, are you with me on this one?"
Lyrica tightens her grip on her shield and draws the curved blade given to her by her father and proceeds to wait for the scarecrow just outside of the compound. As her heart begins to race, she tries to calm her nerves and listen with mindfulness to hear Sarenrae's guiding spirit within.
At Galt’s shouts, Jak can’t help but find a place to look beyond the wall, straining for details through the mists.
"Can't leave us much worse off than we are now. We can try it."
"Sounds good to me," Jak grunts distractedly as he continues peering into the mists, "might even be worth asking if he brought along the contract. Be good to know if he's been taking liberties with it or something."
Jak seems to be trying to watch two places at once. His voice is urgent, ”Any of you know what the thing by the church might be?”
"I think we should go and face that villainous scarecrow. I hate the thought that it would light the church on fire while we are up here at the compound. Who will accompany me back down to the church?"
Marcus looks uncertain, unsure of whether any movement plays into the demon's hands.
I'll go--maybe we can lure it away from the church.
Jak curses and looks over at Lyrica and Marcus, "You realize he's probably trying to draw us out, right? Unfortunately, I kind of agree with you two. I think we need to try to draw the pumpkin-head thing away from the church." He looks back to where he thinks the pumpkin-head thing is. "I think it's a construct, which means it may have some kind of intelligence... but very possibly not. And any protections against evil that Galt or the church offer the townsfolk may not apply to it."
He looks over at the remaining deal-makers, "But if we're going to do this, we need to do it as a team, and we have to take them with us if we want to make any shot at negotiations with Black. Mayor, Mr. and Mrs. Tull, if you want any shot at living, you have to come with us and do as we say." He looks around at the Tull compound, "Plus, its not exactly as if this place is going to afford you any real safety."
"I'll take point, but I'm going to try to move quietly. Stay close enough so you don't lose me, but give me some space in case I stumble onto something unexpected. Hopefully Old Gray will be as much an ass to the pumpkin-man as he is to us."
"I think we're taking a big chance bringing 'em along with us, but I see what you're saying, Jak. Just make sure to keep an eye on 'em in case they try something." The last part Zeke whispers quietly.
"I don't disagree," Jak whispers back, not looking over at the objects of their whisper, "but if we don't bring 'em, I think we're likely to come back to find them dead."
While the whistler continues his unhurried approach, you all slink out of the main gate of the Tull compound and cross the road by the looming shape of the Fletcher house. You slide across the wet grass towards the swathe of trees north of the communal barns. Skirting through the trees, the air is thick with smoke. Through the mist and trees you see the glow from the flaming ruins of the Waveharp home.
You continue on, bending south and heading toward the intersection of paths just north of the church. Behind you, at the Tull residence, you hear someone politely ringing the bell at the Tull's main gate. After a long moment, the bell is rung again. Then there is a loud, knuckle-breaking knock on the gate.
Pressing on, you move into the road hard by the Church. Perched on the posts of the low fence that surrounds the holy ground are a motley conglomeration of crows. In fact, the birds have settled all over the area. You push forward cautiously until you spy one more crow... standing on the rotted straw hat of the 6' scarecrow that stands idly by the entrance to the churchyard. One arm sticks straight out, much as one would expect from a scarecrow... but the other holds a massive rusted scythe resting lightly on its shoulder. Despite the rust, the blade appears freshly honed. The flame-filled jack-o-lantern head spins slowly and continues to spin. The triangular eyes and jagged mouth cast a bright light in whatever direction they face. Like a lighthouse light, the head spins and casts its hellish red glow. The head pauses briefly as Jak comes into its sphere of illumination, and then it sweeps onward.
Having received no answer at the Tull residence, the voice of the Whistler sounds unpleasantly in the skulls of everyone in town.
Knock. Knock.
The voice sets off a ripple of panic among the townsfolk. Only the strong intervention of Galt and Mordecai keep the townsfolk in check.
Jak shakes his head at the sounds of Black’s rings and knock at the Tull’s gate. ”The game’s on, now,” he mutters as he continues on.
He sits in the mist watching the pumpkin-head, then jumps slightly when revealed in the light, cursing quietly. ”What’s it doing here?” he hisses towards at the group. ”Waiting for you three? If it hasn’t attacked the church, what’s its instructions? And what do you think would happen if we attacked it?”
He looks back at the group, ”Thoughts?”
Well, it hasn't attacked yet. Probably has orders to defend itself, though. I think we should just stay here, make sure it doesn't try to break the doors down. Don't attack unless it does.
Then, Marcus thinks for a minute and tries something--he thinks in the direction of the Tull compound, trying to make contact with the demon.
Mr. Black, we're here at the church. Let's stop these games and get this over with.
"I agree. Let's not provoke it. But if it looks like it is going to burn down the church then stop it at all costs!"