The Vixen says, “Bluh, gr-g-gl-gr-bl…” and the next word comes out as silent bubbles, punctuated by a barely audible pop.
Whether VV is talking to Cal, someone in a dream, or a blurry silhouette, even she doesn’t know.
Without comment Caledon backhands Zulu with all his strength, then returns to his investigation of Vixen's condition. If the woman shows any hint of confrontational attitude, he slaps her a second and then a third time.
As he checks Vixen's pulse, his demeanor still reflecting no hint of anger or rage. "Ms. Lane is your only hope of survival. Its in your interest assist her."
Zulu stumbles back and than stands still a shocked and insulted look on her face before she scowls,
"What do you think I'm attempting to do?" the old woman yells through clenched teeth.
She throws up her hands and continues, "And I'm my own best hope for survival, young man! It's not my fault that 'Ms. Lane' our 'only hope' rushed into a trapped room like mad bull!"
She steps up Caledon and jabs a bony finger into his chest! Shes much shorter than the wizard but the difference in height doesn't seem to bother her!
"Would you rather get some herbs, or do you not trust me you arrogant boy?
The Vixen either senses aggression or is having a nightmare. She says, “Glrb-b-plppft.” Her words smell like potato does when it is vomited through nostrils.
Cashara can hear yelling from down the ladder and wonders whats going on, when Martha suddenly lets out a long groan!
"Ow... ow, ow, ow! she mutters as she raises her hand to her head.
Cashara takes a last look outside to make sure that no one is coming, then rushes over to Martha.
"hold still." She says, "I expect you have a nasty headache, and no doubt a concussion. the sound and lights might not be helping, so lie still for a while."
she tries to be tender but has some force to her words.
"now, if it isn't any trouble, I would like you to tell me what happened."
Martha opens her eyes and than imminently shuts them again as she winces in pain.
"Addy..?"
"Addy's... Addy's dealing with other things right now." Cashara says, trying to hold back some tears thinking about her friend who is in trouble. "But, I'm here, Cashara, you remember me, right?"
"Cashara...? Martha says, her voice breathy and far away.
"Cashara... ah..." She open her eyes slightly as her memory of her surroundings comes back. "I'm... I'm going to throw up..." She mutters as she looks up with puffy red eyes.
caught up in the moment, Cashara frantically looks for something or someplace for Martha to puke.
she then grabs whatever she finds and hands it to Martha to puke in, or helps Martha to the nearest window or door.
Cashara helps Martha to her feet and to the window, where Martha spills her guts.
When shes done, she stands quietly for a moment. She places both hands on her stomach and mutters out,
"Ow... I... Somebody hit me... I think..."
Her skin is pale and her eyes are very glossy. She has her arm around Cashara's shoulders and is heavily relying on that to stand.
"Well that seems obvious." Cashara says as she leads her back over to the couch so she can sit and lie down. "the question is who and why?"
She was obviously concerned for Martha's well being and for what this might mean.
Cashara goes to lay Martha on the couch but discovers that the cushions have been torn off and the springs inside have been ripped out! She knows that Cal was going to do something like this but shes pretty sure he never got the chance too...
Glancing at Martha she sees that she has started crying again.
"Cashara... I'm really, really, sorry..."
"you have nothing to be sorry for Martha." Cashara says. "you've done nothing wrong in my eyes as of yet. so lay down and get some rest."
"No! No, no, no! I sold you all out!" she screams! Tears begin pouring out of her eyes and her face grows red!
"I know why I'm here and why everyone else is too! I told her!" she shouts as she reaches out and clutches your shirt!
I'mahorrible,terribleperson!Ispiedonallofyouandsoldyouout!Addy,Vivain,Noah, You!AndtotopitoffI'materriblewife!NowI'mpregnantwithanotherman'sbabyandI'mg oingtodiehereandsoiseveryoneelseandit'sallgoingtobemyfault!" She blubbers forth a torrent of information, her sobs cutter her off now and than, her words stringing together!
at this point, Cashara has already too much and slaps her when it gets to I'm pregnant with another man's child.
"that's enough. I'm not going to listen to you berate yourself." she said in a bit of anger. "so how about making yourself useful and tell me why and anything you got on Dr. Amp."
Martha's bottom lip quivers as she sits up and holds herself.
"I'm sorry... I just... just... I'm sorry... she stammers before taking a deep breath and continuing.
"I... I... Before I married I... I would collect information on people to raise my... my social status... She can barley get this out though sobs.
"I stopped after I got married to Arthur... But I... Well, s-someone found out I had cheated on Arthur a-and wanted me to give them anything I k-knew... You... Addy... Everyone else must've been apart of the information I gave them...
She looks up to you with wide eyes, "Please forgive me! Please, please, please!" she begs as she grips you again!
She shoves her off. "get off of me!" she says and then calms down. "far be it from me to tell people what to do, but you shouldn't have tup yourself in that position in the first place by having an affair."[/b]
she let out a breath. "with that said, I don't know if I can really hold a grudge right now. so, what else do you have on Dr. Amp?"
Without waiting for an answer, Madam Zulu turns and climbs the latter and out the door.
She soon returns with a fistful of weeds and such and walks by Cashara and Martha without a second glance.
The old woman climbs down the latter and rushes to the Vixen side, forcing some of the weeds down her throat! A minute passes, and then the Vixen stops twitching!
"This should work...
The Vixen begins to slowly regain motor functions, but a nasty headache remains! At least she can move now!
Martha whimpers but says,
"I didn't know who was doing it at the time, b-but if she really kn ow the things each of us have done, t-than it must have b-been her who blackmailed me. I'm sorry, b-but I d-don't know anything about her..."
“Ohhhh, that sucked…” VV moans. “I’ll let someone who knows how to find a trap take the first step next time.”
She gets up, thanking Cal and Zulu, then notices Martha crying.
“I take it ye fessed up to the affair with yer husband. And…” Seeing the look on Cashara’s face, she adds, “There’s a part o’ this story I didn’t guess. May as well fill me in Sweetie… I’ll still risk me skin fer yers no matter what.”
"oh, she sold everyone out, even you. some friend." Cashara said, sounding only annoyed, surprising considering everything. "not only that, but she can't give any info on Amp. she claims she was blackmailed after the affair after she stopped getting dirt for gossip. honestly, she did well if she got a lot on us and we get nothing on her. really, I'm getting tired of this whole thing. I wish she had left me with at least one of my guns so I could just blast everything to pieces. but no! she had to make this whole elaborate scheme just because we've done some sort of sin." She was slowly starting to sound a little angrier as she went, but it wasn't that obvious until she got to the "I Wish" and then her anger seemed to speed up.
"alright. if everyone can move, I want to make the next cabin before dark. the sooner we end this, the better." she sounded frustrated yet determined. Then she seemed a little shocked.
"Addy... you're... fine.
The Vixen replies, “Physically, yes.
“But I’m still worried about me fairy friend. We best search this place. If not her, maybe me belongings or yers or someone’s… or that damn dampener. We shut that down, maybe I can sense her.”
"oh, if Cal could use some of his spells, that might be good." Cashara said. "and if we can get our hands on some better stuff, that would also be great. but..." she trailed off as the thought of everyone that left or disappeared came to mind along with the elf and his friend . it worried her that they might have to fight them.
"maybe they're working on another puzzle cabin somewhere." she finally muttered hopefully.
“I don’t wanna hurt Lance, Hank or Frogmouth… but I can tell ye that owl bear’ll get up and shake off those blows. I’ve trained to fight without killing—even against Amp, who deserves death, I’ll use me trippy kicks to subdue.
“Not ’cause I’m the forgiving type. I ain’t that. But I’ll be less effective in a fight if I try to kill. That’s good news for those who oppose us… doesn’t cut us any breaks, though.”
She tries to calm Martha down, holding her hand as she speaks.
“You I can forgive, and I do. There’s a difference between weakness and evil. Yer marriage should probably come to an end o’er the affair, but that’s between you and Andy. If ye need me around when ye confess—or right after, I’ll be there. That’s the plan—live to make that happen, and ye can stay at me place if ye’ve no bed at the Highcastle estate.”
"you and me both." she said.
"I can be there, too." Cashara said once Addy turned to calming Martha. "if you need me. I'm afraid I'm not much for comfort, but I can be some good back up."
You turn the cabin upside down!
Alas your equipment doesn't turn up and searching took a bit longer than you would have liked.
But your attention is called to the papers in the basement. They are covered in numbers and equations and their are sketches of animals and people. Their are bits of writing, but they seem to be written in a different language.
Cashara takes a look and tries to see if she recognizes it. if she doesn't she turns to call with "Cal, you're our wizard here. any idea what this is?"
If she does know what the language is and can read it, she reads it to see what she can find.
she also takes a look at the equations to see if she can figure out what they are. if she has no idea, she gives it to Cal for that as well.
VV looks at the paper. She can read Sylvan and Tien, but she wonders if it’s that secret Druidic language—and if Madam Zulu would be able to read that.
Without specifying that thought, she says, “Madam Zulu, ye’re the most worldly among us. Any chance ye can read this language?”
The cowgirl can't read the language or make heads or tails out of the different equations! Definitely not something you learn in normal school!
The Vixen can't understand it either so she turns to Zulu.
The old woman looks at the papers and scowls, "I'm afraid I haven't seen this script before. Now can we get moving?" she asks impatiently.
VV nods. “I guess whatever we’re looking for ain’t in here.”
Noting that the party is down to just the four ladies*, she says, “Let’s stick together. The men all wanna run off alone and play Jungle King, ain’t a thing I can do for ’em.”
"you're right. Can't do something for someone that isn't there." Cashara said. "Ver, you want to take point? You're probably a lot better off than I am right now. I'm good with a gun, but you got the raw power."
VV admits, “I’m not terribly observant, but yeah… I’ll be the bait. Just stop me if ye smell a trap. Seems me only talent with traps is setting ’em!”
Cashara snickered.
"Just watch where you step." she said.
As our band of ladies leave the cabin a distant shot echoes throughout the forest!
Martha wipes tears from her eyes as she moves forward, while the madam picks up her makeshift club. It seems that they are ready to go, just need to pick a direction.
“Opposite direction o’ the gunshot works, unless one o’ ye has a better feel o’ how to get around.”
If so, Vix wants to try the desert cabin.
As our heroes walk on they eventually find themselves at another stone border. On the other side the trees are thicker and denser, large colorful flowers litter the ground, and thick vines hang off the trees. In seems like this is the Jungle zone.
Up in a tree on the other side sits a small black bird with a large multicolored beak. It's orange eye darts back and forth between each of your faces but other than that in remains perfectly still.
Hopefully the desert is on the other side of the jungle. hint, hint.
VV takes a good look at the bird, wondering if it’s a fake.
Cashara looks at the bird a little, but is more concerned with the rest of her surroundings. Bronze knife at the ready in case of trouble.
The bird stands stock still and stares back at the curious heroes. Suddenly is flys up into the air...
Cashara looks around for danger and hears a soft noise to her right!
As the colorful beaked bird swoops up a loud echoing bang comes from our heroes' right and the bird explodes in a cloud of blood and feathers!
Martha lets out a scream as Madam Zulu turns and brandishes her makeshift club!
The Vixen sees Cashara looking to the right. Failing to see the threat herself, she dashes to position herself as a meat-shield for her pregnant friend. “Lie flat. It’ll make ye a much less likely target.”
She’s ready to face the enemy… or grab Martha and run if this is an enemy that can’t be seen!
"That's my gun." She mutters. "that, or one of Henry's. Stay low, and out of sight."
She shifts her grip on her knife and starts to use the brush to her advantage as she tries to sneak over to the sound of the gunshot. If she was right, it would be her double barreled shotgun.
Even without her super strength (Ant Haul is being suppressed by dampeners), VV can easily lift her pregnant friend (light load is >200 lbs).
Carrying Martha, she moves to position of cover for mother-and-child’s sake, encouraging Zulu to do the same before she moves.