Captain York's page

York adds a little uncertainly, "The doctors at Briarstone occasionally dealt with amnesiacs before. From what I remember they tried to surround them with familiar sights and sounds. Perhaps you should spend a couple of days in Thrushmoor? According to what we read in Dr Losandro's notes you came from there, perhaps being there will jog your memory?"

Winter shook her head sadly and was about to say something when York spoke up. "Miss Winter has done a marvelous job keeping the survivors together which is all the more remarkable considering she is a visitor. Before everything went to hell in a handcart I was an orderly. I know most of the patients. I assume you mean Brin Cerznalo one of the eating disorder patients. Very sad, he was a promising artist. A sculptor I believe, but his crippling anxiety put paid to that. As for Agatha Freeling, mad as a hatter but harmless. I fear the worst for them, do you have word?"

York replies, "It's not at all clear if there's enough boats down there, although I know where a good dingy is hidden. Anyway I expect we'll have to take charge. I'm happy to ferry any and all across to Thrushmore - taking as many trips as needed. After regarding those ill and unsound of mind, I'll arrange for them to go to the capital. I've got family who work in several renowned institutions there we'll be able to figure something out."

The sounds of marching feet get closer and you're surprised to hear a familiar voice drift up from the rooms below. "Hullo up there!" called York, adding "Winter insisted on seeing you right away, we're headed up."

A short while later, York with a couple of his men pop their heads round the shattered door. York takes one look at the slain nightmare and cried out, "Wow! WHAT IS THAT?! It looks like it's clear. Winter you've gotta see this!"

Jane submits without too much fuss, and she gets ushered through the barrier. Jackson looks like a trapped animal when York pricks his finger and makes a show of inspecting it. In the end he and the rest of the party get ushered through.

As you go, York tanks you for the extra scroll saying, "You saved my man. I thought I was going to have to kill him before the infection took over, can't say I was relishing that prospect. You have my gratitude."

York nods, "Mmm Hmm, OK. Well let's see the color of their blood." Both of the prisoners startle at this. York holds up a hand, "Relax. I'm planning to use this needle, rather than something bigger... All I need is a single drop, you see I've found doppelganger blood to be paler than regular human blood."

He walks towards them with a sharp looking needle.

The party travel back to see Winter. First of course they had to get past Captain York's blockade.

The Captain seemed in a good mood for once and he greeted you laconically, "Found some pets eh? Oh but I recognise these. Patients the pair of them. Mmm you sure they're not doppelgangers?"

Rubbing his temples, York replies sadly, "The world has gone mad Momijii." He sweeps an arm around indicating, "Everything around is falling apart and everyone seems to be loosing their heads, bar a few of us who are too stubborn to know when they're beat. As far as I'm concerned no harm no foul. Ah I do believe I hear Winter approaching."

"Thank the heavens for that!", breathes York. Relaxing slightly he calls out to one of the guards, "Evans, tell Winter. She'll want to see for herself."

One of the guards runs off into the chapel.

York bristles at Agrippa's accusation and in a cold fury he rounds on the investigator, "The Hell's man? I'm not trying to steal from you! My job, my only concern is keeping the women and children alive. I don't think you realize how bad Zombie feaver is, all it takes is one infected individual to wipe out a small town. Now we have at least three infected individuals we know of. Unless cured, you lot are a danger to the survivors. As is Jenkins. Unless he can be saved we'll be forced to kill and burn him. So for the last time, do you have the scrolls?"

Pointedly ignoring Agrippa, York turns to Luxina and replies, "Miss Tenebris that was one of those town destroying Zombies you encountered earlier, a pack attacked about an hour ago. We managed to deal with them, but Jenkins got bitten.

BTW about 2 hours have passed since you left.

York's eyes narrow slightly, and with an air of exasperation he grinds out, "The scrolls. Did you find them?"

You head back to the chapel but are intercepted by Captain York and a large detail of survivor guards. A number of them have crossbows trained on you.

Captain York has has sword but it's in its scabbard. He calls out to you, "Did you get it?"

York answers Lizzie, "Twenty five souls remain that we know of, out of hundreds. The carnage of that night was as terrible as it was unexpected. Most of the patients at Briarstone where peaceable, I never imagined someone could kindle such a riot. I am at a lost to explain, folks I'd known for years all twisted up with rage. As bad as that was, it's the not the worst of it. We're stuck here - you'll see and supplies are dwindling..." He seems deeply affected by the events, and clearly hasn't been sleeping well despite the god blessed lack of dreams in the chapel.

Captain York frowns at the peremptory imputations of the vainglorious Heinrich and barks, "I conclude your conceit is, this is all terribly unfair. Perchance it is. Assuredly the fallen and the moonstruck have no zest for it. Perforce one must deal with the cards dealt by fate, with no dithering or dickering. A certain realism is required. Your enterprise has expunged one threat with unabridged frenzy, the tally of these false faces has been accounted. Verily you may enter, for Winter has solicited your council."

The side door opens. Two can play that game ;) And welcome to level 2.

With a heavy sigh, York replies "Every one you kill is one less to hunt the women and children. Assuming you did actually kill that last one, it was pretty far gone
... Anyway there should be at least another two or three wandering about. I'd be mighty obliged if ye did something about that." When the subject of the mad man is raised York sighs again and mutters, "Seven more mouths is a lot to feed."

With a certain grudging admiration York notes, "Well that's two. Bring us another one, freshly killed mind, and we can talk."

He seems serious about that as far as you can tell.

After a few moments the guards fetch their captain. You tell him what you found, only to get a sarcastic reply, "Really? You expect us to fall for that!? Pull the other one mate! There's no way some nurse managed to survive in these tunnels for nearly a week... I mean look around you, there's been more than one battle here as they tried to get in, and they sure have been hungry judging by the awful sounds that come at times."

If you do look around, what he says appears to be true. There are various suspicious staines, deep scratches and more then a few broken crossbow bolts.

Clearly annoyed the man grates, "Overly cautious?! Look here madam we have wounded and children. If one changeling gets in they're all dead. If you want to come in you've got to prove you're not one of them."

Answering Heinrich's question, Captain York suggests, "Hunt a few of them down, and bring back proof. I can't imagine the doppelgangers killing their own, they're so convinced of their superiority they'd never allow it."

Captain York folds his arms and warily replies, "Killed one have you eh? And I'm supposed to take your word for that am I? This whole place is overrun by lunatics and monsters that can look like anyone. How can I know you're not shapeshifters eh? For all I know we gave you that wound, last time your lot attacked."

From behind the barrier you hear a door open, followed by footsteps. An older voice with the air of authority admonishes the guards, "Right then lads enough chin wagging with the changelings." Addressed to you he bellows, "Be off with you shapeshifters! We've killed your type before and we'll do so again if you don't skedaddle."