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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Fiasco" data-source="post: 2843111" data-attributes="member: 15187">In the early afternoon the companions slowly congregated in the common room of the Hat and Staff. They were an unsettled group. It was apparent to all that Moxadder had partaken heavily of the Devil Weed again. His dilated eyes and panicked starts at sudden noises did not ease matters. Their patience was further tried by the late arrival of Mortec and Stravarius. When the pair finally did appear, they were quiet and withdrawn, thoughts turned inward and oblivious to the hostile glares of their companions.“Let us be off” said Gerard, his voice squeaking nervously. Wordlessly they rose. Argonne carelessly kicked Kuruul awake as they shuffled out. The large canine’s eye’s flashed dangerously for a second, then the beast followed desultorily.No-one spoke during journey to the Dwarf’s house. The weather had warmed unpleasantly and the humidity of the sea air compounded their discomfort. Under his all covering apparel, Stravarius sweated prodigiously. A steady pressure was building in his mind, wrought by a thousand questions and postulations that swarmed through his consciousness like a frenzied swarm of mean tempered wasps. His hands clenched and unclenched spasmodically as he strove to rebuild those long held paradigms that had been shattered by what he had learnt in the tower. His eyes strayed in the direction Mortec. Soon they would have to make a choice and commit themselves irrevocably to either a path of knowledge or ignorance.Despite their slow pace, the Hydra found the modest abode sooner than expected. The building was situated near the top of a long, gently sloped hill which was sliced down one side by an escarpment overlooking the sea. Though rugged and quite exposed to the elements, the location afforded a truly inspiring view of the town. As the companions paused for a rest before closing the final few hundred feet to the house, Gerard was surprised that a mean spirited curmudgeon like Grisha would have the greatness of soul to appreciate such a view. He wondered briefly whether they had the right dwelling, but there could be no mistaking the directions he had been given. The ease with which they had found the house did not improve the Hydra’s mood. Something about the quiet of the place was unsettling, and the knowledge that it belonged to a wizard only made matters worse. The simple house was built of wood, well weathered and with a thatched roof that had seen better days. A sturdy door barred entry to the house, though Argonne noticed a small rectangular opening had been cut into the bottom of it. The other side obliquely visible to the companions showed a plain wall, its only feature a heavily shuttered window. Stravarius shifted his feet impatiently. Would none of his companions take some initiative and give the house a closer inspection? he groused to himself. It was at this point that a black cat emerged coolly from the hole in the base of the door and sauntered a couple of paces into the yard before lazily beginning to wash. Stravarius felt a cold fury stiffen his spine. In his disconcerted condition, there was something about the smug insouciance of the creature that stung him to the quick. Without conscious thought he raised the massive crossbow he carried and aimed carefully along its length. With a powerful snap, the  arms of the weapon leapt forward, hurling the shaft with great velocity at the feline. The animal had just enough time to whip its head around at the sudden noise before it was snatched away by the deadly length of wood and feather. A shocked silence followed the loosing of the bolt.“What in Geduld’s stinking hell are you doing?” screamed Gerard in frustration. The other companions also appeared far from impressed. Argonne eyed the Black Elf with contempt and Morgan had the look of a man for whom every prejudice had just been confirmed and who longed to tell his more tolerant friends ‘I told you so!’“Are you mad?” Gerard continued, voicing the concerns of the entire group. “We are TRYING to reconnoitre a dangerous wizard’s abode, and you decide to practice your archery on his cat! You piffle. What are you playing at, man?”Stravarius stood shaking, his crossbow clutched forgotten in both hands. He too was shocked at what he had done. A dreadful fear shrivelled his guts. Had he no control? Was he doomed to become the thing of corruption that was the fate of all who fell under Rawloqu? Seeing the open distrust in most of his companion’s eyes, he wondered if he should try to explain, that his mind was a jangle with unsettling new thoughts that floated atop the darker currents of his endless nightmares. The look of hatred on Morgan’s face discouraged him. “I hate cats”, he offered simply before walking towards the hut. Curiously, he felt better for his explanation. It was, after all, true. By some unlucky happenstance, the feline species had eyes that were nearly identical with those of the Transmuter.Standing some distance away, Moxadder contemplated his companions. If the slaying of the cat had not alerted anyone in the house, the noisy outburst by Gerard certainly had. He crossed to where Argonne stood with hands on hips and gave him a nudge. “Lets leave them too it and have a squiz around. I reckon maybe we can find some sign of customers who don’t come by the ordinary way if you know what I mean.” Pleased to have something positive to do, the woodsman nodded his acquiescence. He began to circle the wizard’s dwelling at some distance, head bent close to the ground as he scrutinised the bare rock for signs of tracks. Moxadder followed closely at his heels. Argonne’s abilities to find a trail in even the most unforgiving terrain was quite impressive. The Irudeshian wistfully remembered evenings spent hiding in the blood warm safety of the marshes surrounding Irudesh City. Old Nagresh, the half mad old serpent warrior had sometimes taught him a scrap or two of his swamp lore. Despite the snakes, crocodiles and other hazards, he had rarely felt safer during his childhood.Meanwhile the others had nerved themselves to close the distance to the dwelling before coming to a hesitant stop before the door. As Gerard prepared to knock and announce the Hydra, Mortec tried to divert him from his intent. “This is a house belonging to a wizard, he may have left magical defences”, the gnome advised. Gerard regarded the house critically. It seemed too poorly built for anyone who had a great deal worth protecting. “I don’t believe such a rude hovel could have any defences”, the arrogant swordsman rejoined before lightly rapping on the door. Glancing back at his companions, Gerard noticed that Mortec had scuttled back a good fifteen feet while Morgan stood poised for action, hand on sword and expecting the worst. The Black Elf stood further away, a dark brooding figure against the skyline. There was no response to the knock and after pounding it a few more times to no avail Gerard was a little nonplussed. Investigation, questioning and even fighting he was comfortable with, but he was not at all certain how he felt about breaking into people’s homes. Particularly when there was a good chance they had nothing to do with their frustrating mission. Fortunately for Gerard, his dilemma was reprieved by a cry from Argonne.The woodsman had found a concealed trail leading away from both the residence and Port Warlock and did not hesitate in calling on the others to join him. Back at the house, Gerard exhaled in relief and was about to give the command to join the woodsman when he realised the others were already on their way. Wearing a glum expression he moved to join them, nearly tripping over the prostrate form of Kuruul who had been dozing at his feet. Seeing no-one around, Gerard indulged himself in a string of vulgar curses such as he’d heard Argonne utter on frequent occasion. Somehow feeling the better for it, he hastened to catch up to the others.</blockquote>

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