Many of the beast-men fade away while Theo intimidates them.
When Unity ask "Is your law just?" the Ape-man replies, "Their law. Is their law just, or is their law just for us?"
The Sayer-of-the-law waves angrily at him and he retreats into the shadows.
When Unity ask about the circle a few murmurs from the shadows reply "To the circle!"
"The circle is where we meet," says the Sayer-of-the-Law. "Where we meet and say the law. Their law."
He retreats into the shadows as well.
Nissa calls out to the Sayer. “Why would you say their law?”
"Because they are the Masters. I am the Sayer-of-the-Law, but they are the givers of the law. Theirs is the House of Pain." Before he disappears into the tropical forest completely, he adds, "If the Masters are also under the law, bring them to the Circle."
He leaves the party with a mutilated puma. Prendick has run off somewhere, along with the other survivor of the Lady Vain. Montgomery is passed out and Moreau is unconscious.
In the book, these two 'Masters' are both eventually killed by the things they created. That could still happen.
The story has changed though. It's gone off plot. You're here. You've added to it and changed it. The tone remains one of darkness and horror matched by a fearful awe of science, but the story is different now.
It shouldn't be too long before the Canonites show up, looking for Moore and his Fictionaut revolutionaries.
Unity watch the beast-men retreat uncertainly. On the one paw, the 'law' that Moreau had taught them was most certainly *not* just in their opinion. On the other... these two had done much harm, and who were they to say they should not be punished by those they had harmed? Perhaps it would be best to just leave now, and let this story play out how it will... but at the same time, it feels wrong to leave them without making one more attempt to teach them.
They look around. "Where are Zellgato and Henri?" they ask, not wanting to make a decision only to find they had missed something important.
Nissa turns to Unity. “Moreau dies in the story, but… didn’t you want to talk to him?” She whips out her wand. “If so, I suggest we take the conversation elsewhere.”
Moreau is still unconscious on the ground.
Lights in his house reveal the silhouettes of Henri and Zellgato operating on the puma.
Unity's sword thrums only when he approaches the house. Theo's thrums not at all.
"Yeah, Unity", Theo agrees. "We'll keep Moreau alive long enough to get any intel you want out of him. As I said: this is your play. We'll do it however you like."
Nissa eyes the sword, which has been thrumming a lot. “Or maybe your sword has the answers.” She doesn’t ask why they’ve been ignoring their sword all this time. “I don’t think we can stay in this world long. So if your sword wants you to go in the House of Pain, I suggest you do it now—and that we all stay together in case I need to wander us outta here.”
She points to the unconscious Moreau. “—including him.. Maybe”
"It's not *this* Moreau we need to talk to, but the one that likely lies beyond the portal that mirror seems to contain," Unity say, still gazing where the beast-men went. "Perhaps it is time to simply be on our way, as much as it feels wrong to leave this story unfinished."
Nissa admits, “I mighta got caught up in trying to fix things for the beastmen. That mirror…” She flies toward it. “We came here for a purpose. Can the sword or chalice tell us how to access the portal?”
"The cannonites will arrive soon enough, with the amount of disruption we have here. Likely we won't want to be here..Whether we finish this surgery or not." Zellgato will call out to Nissa as he has a variety of blood and tools scattered.
The Olympian unhooks The Chalice from his belt. "Damn. And I really wanted to hang out with the Beast men, too. I'll find some water."
It's easy to find water. You're on an island.
It's getting late, but, while getting water, Theo thinks he caught a glimpse of ships anchored offshore. Multiple ones.
The surgery goes without complications. The patient will wake with horrible pain, but the first step of tranforming her paws into feet has been undone. She will probably walk again, and like a puma not a person.
Nissa is squeamish about the surgery. But it seems to have been a success. She answers to Z’s call.
Unity are glad to see that Zellgato and Henri have saved the puma... though they rather doubt she'd adapt well to living on this island, so unlike her natural territory and with who-knows-what for prey... perhaps it is best that the story will reset.
Once they have finished the surgery, Unity draw the Sword of Truth with one paw, rear up, and tap the tip to the buzzing mirror.
The mirror parts like a rippling pool of water. As it is mounted on the ceiling above the operating table, you'll have to climb up through it if you intend to exit that way.