The rest of the walk passes without further incident.
"Never let it be said that a Stavian couldn't hold their alcohol," Victor says, quiet enough that only Shula can hear. "I'll be alright."
He looks at the other guests. "Yes, it appears a-hunting we will go. Some heads up would have been nice." Despite his words, Victor is eager to get out of the palace for a bit. Perhaps the quarry will turn out to be a challenge, allowing him to prove to himself that he is worthy of the power gifted to him.
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Robert wakes up with a better mood, having rested well. He also notices the change in attires and says "Well, I'm not much of a hunter either. I suppose I can make a case for emotional support of those not that well suited for the activity."
Noticing Victor, he says "I can spare a healing spell if you need." His tone is slightly ironic, lightly jabbing at the Stavian comment.
"Attention Ladies and Gentlemen, if you please." Bartelby calls from the head of the room. "The main event for today is a mock hunt. Performers have been dressed as animals and released from the estate to hide within nearby territories to which they have been assigned, and then the assembled hunters will be allowed to track their quarries and bring them back to the palace. There is, naturally, no need to cause injury to your targets, this is all in good fun. Lots have been drawn to determine your targets and the area in which you will be hunting."
He reads through a short list before reading [b]"To Lady Vernisant's party, the Brashen Deeps."
Once the list is completed the volunteers are led out, dressed in assorted animal costumes. Sir Guisarne cuts each person's cheek and quickly blots a strip of cloth to give the hounds the scent of their particular target. As that distasteful business is ongoing Bartelby speaks again.
"Our thanks for your bravery in volunteering for today's festivities. Should you prove able to elude the hunters until nightfall you will be rewarded with a hefty purse of coin and a seat at tonight's banquet." The assembled nobles applaud at this generosity, although the volunteers look, to a man, grim rather than enthusiastic.
"Well then, off you go!" Bartelby calls, "Ladies and Gentlemen we shall..." The main doors to the dining room open and a familiar figure strides into the room, with the air of a man who owns the palace itself.
"Terribly sorry that I missed breakfast." Caspian says, advancing into the room with smiles all round. "I did make the very greatest haste from the capital but alas, the roads are not what they were. Although my brother's entertainments are never lackings. Titus, how are you dear cousin? Looking a little pudgy I think, clearly country life agrees with you."
He glides past his spluttering cousin and pauses in front of your group, before taking Lucretia's hand and kissing it. "My dear Lady, it is a joy to see you once again."
Bartelby, for his part, seems utterly bewildered by his brother's presence.
Shula stares at the 'quarry' with an air of barely concealed disgust. 'Volunteers' my ass. Although there is a slim possibility Bartelby actually believes it. Nobles were very prone to forgetting how much power they wielded when (and only when) it suited their purposes. It may not have even occurred to him that anyone asked to take part would feel obligated to say yes.
He probably also thinks the serving girls sleep with him just because he's oh-so-handsome.
Fortunately Caspian's arrival shakes her out of these dark thoughts. Her expression of bewilderment bears a remarkable resemblance to Bartleby's as Caspian walks over and kisses Lucretia's hand. He isn't supposed to be here. Is he?
Best to hedge her bets. She hasn't been addressed, so there's no need to respond. It might even be impolite to do so before Lucretia has had a chance. Instead she shrinks back slightly and occupies herself by pretending to adjust her gloves, even though her 'hunting outfit' is just an illusion. The Sleeves of Many Garments were definitely coming in handy.
Let Lucretia or Lollia work out what Caspian was doing here. They knew him better anyway.
"Also, did we miss an item on the agenda? I can't help but notice that some of these things aren't quite like the others, and 'these things' are our clothes." She fiddles with her sleeves but doesn't yet change the appearance of her outfit.
"I agree completely," Lollia declares, her ire visible to all.
With purpose she strides over to the Count. With her hands on her hips she glares up at the handsome man.
"And I suppose that the common curtesy of informing your guests of the day's activities in advance so they can dress appropriately doesn't exist out here in rural Taldor?" she says with a flirty grin. "Because while I think I've achieved the perfect 'breakfast on the patio' look this morning, it's hardly appropriate for gallivanting through the woods."
She gestures down at the day dress she's wearing that perfectly enhances her shape.
"At the very least, you could give us ladies an hour or so to scavenge up something more suited for the occasion?"
Bartelby seems to be shaken out of his shock at Caspian's appearance by Lollia's words and he leans back slightly to take in her outfit before an expression of dismay crosses his face.
"My dear Lady Vernisant, I am so sorry! The hunt is a traditional part of our celebrations here and it never occurred to me that you would be unaware. Please accept my apologies."
He raises his voice, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Hunt will begin in an hour. Please take your time to enjoy the rest of your breakfast and excuse me while I take this opportunity to speak to my dear brother."
He steps forward, grasps said 'dear brother's' arm and the two Lotheed's leave the room together.
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When the group reconvenes an hour later Bartelby seems calmer and Caspian is wearing a serene look, although there is a mischievous twinkle in his eye whenever he glances at his brother.
The 'quarry' have long gone, given a 'sporting' head-start in their quest to remain free until sunset. Purple Finch meanwhile, is waiting for you all with two Taldan bloodhounds on leashes.
"This is Fur-dinand and Bark-tholemew." She says, scratching each dog behind the ears as she introduces them. "Are we ready my Lords? My Ladies?"
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Robert looks at the sport and he forces himself to not roll his eyes.
At Caspian's entry, he gags in surprise. Trying to recompose himself, he pretends he choked on saliva and takes some summoned water to clear his throat.
As the brothers reconvene, Robert tries reading Caspian with everything he has.
He gathers the others and says "I think we should be on alert. We should no longer consider Caspian as an ally unless he can unequivocally prove his intentions to us."
"My dear Lady Vernisant, I am so sorry! The hunt is a traditional part of our celebrations here and it never occurred to me that you would be unaware. Please accept my apologies."
Lollia curtsies in return. "Apology accepted, my dear Count," she replies with a grin. "Thank you for indulging those of us unfamiliar with your country ways." With leave to spend the time to properly garb herself, the young woman pulls the servant only known as 'Purple Finch' to her side and sets off in pursuit of acceptable attire.
"Now you must have a name other than 'Purple Finch'," she whispers to her companion as she slips her arm into that of the other woman and makes her way back towards the manor.
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Almost an hour later and Lollia returns fitted for the hunt. She's wearing a man's tunic that, while large, miraculously hugs her curves with assistance from various belts and laces. Her skirt has been exchanged for tight leather trousers and her feet are enclosed in leather boots that rise to her knees. Her dulcimer is in its bag hanging on her back and her auburn hair has been styled into a single braid that hangs down over her shoulder.
The 'quarry' have long gone, given a 'sporting' head-start in their quest to remain free until sunset. Purple Finch meanwhile, is waiting for you all with two Taldan bloodhounds on leashes.
"This is Fur-dinand and Bark-tholemew." She says, scratching each dog behind the ears as she introduces them. "Are we ready my Lords? My Ladies?"
"Quite ready," Lollia replies and with a wave of her hand a shiny brass horn appears in her hand. Pressing the instrument to her lips, she lets loose with a loud set of notes announcing the hunt has begun. The instrument vanishes back into the ether from whence it came and she gestures towards the woods. "Shall we?"
"Alista Cragus, mi'lady." Purple Finch says with a smile. "Now as for clothes, I think we can rustle something up..."
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There is a light smattering of applause from the various watching guests as Lollia sounds her horn but Lucretia steps over to whisper in her cousin's ear. "Caspian wants me to stay, apparently there's urgent news from Oppara and we need to talk in private." She says softly. "You'll have to do our name proud without me this time."
The Brashen Deeps are an area of scrubland and thick woods and simply getting there on foot takes the better part of an hour. Purple Finch has the hankerchief which she has been regularly letting the dogs sniff and, as you all approach the area they start snuffling the noses.
"I think they have the scent!" Purple Finch says, "We should look for track, mi'lords, mi'ladies."
Shula eyes the thick underbrush dubiously as they continue making their way further into the woods. City predators she knows how to deal with. Whatever might be lurking out here is another story.
More concerned with possibly being the hunted than with the hunt, it's no surprise that it takes her the better part of an hour to see anything other than shadows. When she finally spots some tracks it's due to blind luck rather than any actual skill. Not that she'd ever admit that.
"Looks like he went this way." She points towards a suspiciously human-looking footprint in the mud. "Shall we follow?"
Lollia, who has been waging a single-woman war against the terrain hazards (and losing), brushes a few stray locks of hair away from her sweaty face. "Yes, please. Then we can get out of here and back to civilization." She looks up at the trees overhead and the sun beating through. "I am so done with hunting."
The tracks lead into a large area of very thick underbrush which makes progress slow and does more damage than Lollia would like to her 'hunting outfit'. That all pales into insignificance however when the hounds send up the cry and rush onwards, only to skid to a halt and start barking furiously a moment later.
In a small clearing just ahead your prey is desperately dodging behind trees as a lion bodied, dragon winged beast lashes out him. The barking of the dogs attracts the manticore's attention and it wheel around to roar at you all.
"It's the Iron Lash!" Purple Finch calls. "We have to get Moffis out of here!"
Seems she'd been right to worry about predators after all. Shula raises an eyebrow at Purple Finch, who seems to know the name of both their target and the creature. "'Iron Lash?'"
Now's not the time for questions though. She darts forward, kukris in hand, and slashes at the creature. "Moffis! Keep running while we've got its attention!"
"It's been plaguing the county for months!" Purple Finch yells.
Shula's blow cuts deep into the manticore's wing and it roars in pain, before lashing out at the slayer with claws, wings and extremely large teeth!
Thankfully Shula is able to avoid the wings, but raking talons and mighty teeth fell the slayer in a single flurry of blood and pain.
Lollia pales at the violent interruption to their not-so-pleasant hunt/hike. But being the consummate performer, she doesn't hesitate before pulling her instrument around and beginning a rousing battle melody. As the others approach the beast closer, she follows behind preparing to pull Shula back for some magical healing.
"Damn!" Victor curses as Shula quickly falls. "Come, Leona!" The nobleman rushes forward, raising his shield high as he slices at the manticore's legs. Leona yowls as she darts back and forth, trying to distract the beast.
Victor charges in and lays a cut across the manticore's muzzle, effectively distracting it from the red-headed meal on the ground before it. Lollia and Robert move in to help Shula, closing her wounds and inspiring Victor to greater feats of not dying.
Shula, once healed, rolls away and stands up behind the manticore, setting up for a powerful attack next round as the beast savages Victor.
Thanks to Leona's aid and a timely shield of stone rising from the ground Victor remains untouched throughout the assault!
Victor continues to try to keep the manticore focused on him. He slashes at its face while keeping his shield up!
Lollia continues to sing as she watches Robert administer healing to the red-headed slayer. In a half-hearted attempt to aid to battle, she pulls a dagger from her belt and lets it fly through the air towards the beast.
Shula groans as she rolls across from Victor. "Have to admit I did not expect that thing to hit so hard. Thanks Robert." Even with the second healing spell she still feels distinctly unwell.
Hoping to end this as quickly as possibly, she slashes twice at the manticore's wings.
Despite numerous blows only Shula manages to connect with any meaningful damage, cutting the manticore's wing. The limb sags sharply, but the manticore is by no means finished and it continues to bite and claw at its assailants!
Fortunately for Victor Leona manages to interfere, distracting the manticore from what otherwise would have been a truly critical hit on the valiant nobleman!
Sadly Shula is not so well protected and is battered back into unconsciousness by the manticore's hind leg and dragging, but still deadly, wing!
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Victor continues to slash at the beast!
The ongoing musical encouragement of her companions continues, but the words change slightly as Lollia reaches out to touch Shula with a healing hand.
Shula blinks her eyes open, (again), only to see nothing but dirt and leaves. This is becoming a too-familiar sight. "I don't think I like manticores," she mutters as she tries to get up while avoiding the deadly limbs. "Or hunting. Or forests in general."
Once on her feet, she slices once more at the manticore's damaged wing.
As Shula stands the Iron Lash kicks backwards, tearing deep into her belly and immediately dropping her once more. She teeters on the brink of death and it is likely only Robert's healing that has kept her from Pharasma's embrace!
Unfortunately Victor does not manage to land a blow and the manticore, in its rage, focuses its wrath on him!
Even with Leona's help and yet another stone shield Victor still takes a heavy blow from a claw.
Another healing spell slips into the running melody Lollia is engaged in as she contributes to Shula's efforts to remain among the living.
Victor takes a step back from the Iron Lash and casts a different spell. Chilly mist spreads around him, concealing the nobleman and his allies to hopefully allow Shula to get up and away without being mauled again!
Shula once again blinks her eyes open to the sight of dirt and leaves. "This is getting ridiculous."
Okay. Attacking wasn't working. Time for her favorite strategy. Rolling to her feet, (and making a mental note to do something nice for Victor who is all but dancing in front of the creature as a distraction), Shula takes a step back. Without any warning she's suddenly half her usual size.
In a much higher voice than usual, she asks, "Anyone else think it's time to run away?"
Victor is fortunate to have such a valiant companion as Leona nips at the Iron Lash, distracting it enough that it can't take advantage of his lowered guard.
When the mist spreads over the area the manticore growls loudly before unleashing a deadly volley of spikes from its tail.
Lollia's singing makes her a target and three spikes come whizzing through the mist to punch deep holes in her pale skin. The bard falls, dead before her body hits the floor!
Robert meanwhile barely twists away from another spike, which hammers into a nearby tree with a thud.
Victor’s heart drops when Lollia’s singing abruptly ends. ”Go! Get out of here!” he shouts, stepping back up to the manticore to give his friends more time to escape.
Despite Shula's smaller size, Lollia is still light enough for her to be able to catch the bard as she falls. For a long second she looks into the pale face.
Shula knows death. One doesn't grow up in the Narrows without seeing one's fair share of bodies. She could tell the difference between "unconscious but savable" and "there's no hope for them, book it out of there" before she was nine years old. Lollia fell into the latter category.
One also doesn't grow up in the Narrows without learning when to cut one's losses.
Shula straightens, unceremoniously letting Lollia's corpse drop to the ground. "Lollia's dead. If we don't get out of here, we'll join her." Then she takes her own advice, turns on her heel, and runs.
(Not too far though. Robert and Victor are still behind her. Shula has enough loyalty to make sure they get clear as well before fleeing the area entirely.)
The Iron Lash yowls in pain as Victor lands another blow and despite the great fury of its retaliation, not a single blow lands thanks to Leona's help.
Victor makes a fighting retreat through the fog, making sure the manticore will leave his allies alone as they flee.
With both Victor and Robert beside her, Shula continues running. "Moffis! Purple Finch! The manticore's hurt but still alive, so we need to go!"
"Moffis ran!" Purple Finch exclaims. The jester has quite sensibly fallen further back into the trees. "We should too!"
Victor, confident that his remaining companions have gotten far enough away, makes a cautious retreat without turning his back to Iron Lash.
A good thing too because the manticore emerges from the fog and launches a barrage of spikes at him!
One spike pierces most of the way through the man's arm but that seems to be the manticore's last assault and it makes no attempt to follow Victor any further, seemingly too concerned with its own wounds.
Shula keeps running and doesn't stop, at least until either she or someone else just can't run anymore. Then she settles for a brisk walk through the woods back towards the Palace.
A few moments into their flight she goes back to her normal size. She doesn't comment on that. She doesn't comment on anything. The rest of the party has seen Shula angry; her temper flares as brightly as her hair. They have not seen her like this.
Her eyes are ablaze. Quite literally, if one looks close enough to see the yellow irises shift and swirl. Her hair seems to be smoking slightly. She always runs warm, but now the heat is practically radiating off of her.
Most of the time Shula looks like a human with slightly unusual coloration. Right now she very much does not.
Victor grits his teeth in pain as the spike pierces his arm, but he keeps running, Leona bounding by his side. He sees Shula's fiery anger, but all he feels is regret. That Lollia should lose her life in such an ignominious manner. What were they going to tell her sister? He keeps his thoughts to himself as the party flees.
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Robert walks with the others mostly in silence. He asks if anyone wants any healing from their wand.
He feels sad for Lollia and her family. Being a godly man, he feels he should know what to say at this time, but words fail him. As they are approaching the palace, he says "I refuse to believe this happened by accident. Someone is responsible. Lollia is now our resolve."
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The trip back is a silent one beyond Robert's grim statement. Even the dogs are silent and the pall of loss hangs heavily over the group.
By the time you emerge from the woods the party at the Palace of Birdsong is in full swing. Titus Lotheed seems to be receiving the lions share of the attention and he turns to you as you emerge from the woods.
"Look at the mighty hunters! Was your prey too..." Caspian cuts his cousin off with a fearsome glare as Bartelby hurries forwards. "What on earth happened to you all?" His alarm is genuine as Lucretia runs up behind him. "Lollia? Where's Lollia?" She asks, clearly afraid of the answer.
When the news is delivered Bartelby and Caspian's faces set in identical grim expressions. "The Iron Lash," Bartelby says with quiet rage. "I thought that damn beast had gone. Caspian?"
His brother nods and turns back to the party. "Titus, with us!" He then unleashes a flurry of orders that sends the servants running and the guests squawking like startled hens. Bartelby stays with you, questioning you closely about where you where and what state the manticore was in. When Caspian, Titus, Baron Okerra and a number of other guests come up on their horses Bartelby swings into the saddle.
"We will avenge Lady Vernisant. I swear it." He says grimly, before the troop rides off towards the Brashen Deeps.
The servants are attentive to you, drawing baths, bringing fresh clothes and healing potions but the festive atmosphere has vanished entirely and Lucretia sits on the balcony, staring out into the woods like a ghost. Dame Crabbe flutters around like an awkward goose, clucking on and on, filling the air with meaningless noise but Lucretia doesn't seem to even register it.
The hunters return several hours later, mud-stained and dragging the carcass of the manticore behind two of the horses. Caspian spurs his horse ahead when he sees Lucretia and swings off it straight onto the balcony to take her in his arms. Bartelby dismounts more sedately and carefully takes Lollia's body from its position, sitting on the saddle in front of him, before carrying her inside.
Even Titus, normally so brash, looks chagrined and chastened by the experience, murmuring a quiet "I'm sorry," to each of you as he passes.
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The remaining festivities are cancelled, not that anyone has the festive spirit any more and the next morning the guests are lining up, not to take leave of their host but of each of you.
"You must come and visit me in Moost." Dame Crabbe twitters. "Sitting around in Stachys will do you no good, I insist you all come and visit!"
Baroness Voinum takes Victor to one side and claps him on the shoulder. "Don't blame yourself young man. I've seen men like you before, protectors - men who want to shield those around them. You can't always save everyone boy. It's a lesson many learn on the battlefield but there's never a good time to learn it. Stay strong, and think of the two people you did bring back safely. If you ever have trouble, come and visit me. You'll always be welcome and I've got some fine wines we can drink together."
Bartelby hasn't emerged from his quarters and Caspian has performed the host's duties in his absence. "You are all welcome to stay here as long as you want." He says gently. "There is no rush to take up your new positions in Stachys. The tribune is a capable woman, she'll keep things running until you're ready."
You end up staying a week, as Lucretia sends messages back and forth to her family in Oppara. Eventually, given her outcast status, it is decided that Lollia should be buried in Lotheedar and her funeral is presided over by Archbanker Paril and First Song Mellin from the temple of Shelyn. The funeral is beautiful, with the shelynite choir singing some of Lollia's favourite songs as her coffin was slowly lowered into the ground. Lucretia weeps quietly and Caspian spends the entire service by her side, whereas Bartelby is present only in his absence.
The next day Lucretia decides that it is time to leave and you all make preparations to depart.
"You are all welcome here." Caspian says, seeing you all off. "Please, don't be strangers. Bartelby is hurting at the moment, he cared for Lady Vernisant more than he cares to admit, but he will come around in time. Good luck, all of you."
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Shula walks up to Bartelby, eyes flaming. The sight is not a pretty one, given that she's covered in blood. (Mostly, but not entirely, her own.) For a moment she looks like she wants to punch him in the face. Whether out of an unusual level of restraint for her or simple recognition that his alarm seems genuine, she doesn't. She does however hiss, "You thought it had gone? A manticore, apparently plaguing the county for months, and you thought it had gone?! You didn't make sure? Didn't think it was worth mentioning? Instead of this farce of a hunt we could have all gone together and taken it out. Even if we'd just known there might be a manticore we would have taken more precautions. Robert could have prepared different spells. Lollia might have worn some armor! I wouldn't have...wouldn't have..."
Her face twists. Instead of finishing that sentence she turns and stalks away, leaving Victor and Robert to answer any questions. To Purple Finch, she requests, "I'd like the hottest bath and the strongest liquor you can find." She proceeds to hole herself up in her rooms for the rest of the day.
Shula isn't significantly more social for the rest of the week. The first couple days she appears for meals, usually at least partially drunk, but nothing else. The second night she sneaks out and makes her way down to the wine cellar. She finds every bottle of the expensive vintage Bartleby had sent to the Exaltation Gala and smashes them against the wall. Then she sinks down to the floor and, for the first time since Lollia's death, cries.
After that she continues mostly staying in her rooms except for meals, but she's significantly more sober when seen. She attends Lollia's funeral and sticks close to Victor and Robert while they say their goodbyes. When it's her turn she whispers, "I got you killed, and I'm sorry. If it helps I'll try not to be so reckless in future. Wherever you've gone I hope it's amazing, because that's the least you deserve."
Once they're ready to depart, she gets into the carriage without a backwards glance.
Victor is silent and sullen for most of the week following Lollia's death. He keeps to himself, Leona the only one he allows to offer him comfort. Sometimes during the night, though, those staying at the Palace of Birdsong can hear booming thunder and the distant howling of a wolf coming from the wilderness surrounding the estate.
Only as the party is boarding the carriage to Stachys does Victor finally speak to the others. "Robert," he says quietly. "I urge you to invoke your patron's blessings. When our task is finished, I vow that we will have our revenge."