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Message: <blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4476505" data-attributes="member: 3285">To Walk in Carcosa: Part 3 – The Road and the ForestThey emerged onto a broad walkway lined by porticoes that were in turn backed by large buildings.  The buildings had no visible doors and their windows were set high up in the smooth walls.  The majority of the city boasted buildings of a uniformly fine quality, well designed and constructed, and in perfect repair.  The streets were clean, there were well-tended trees and open spaces, and there was no kind of objectionable noise or bustle.  “It’s eerily calm,” said Ilmarė. Occasional snatches of music or singing could be heard, although the source was impossible to identify.  Several residents, all masked, suddenly appeared at adjoining windows in one building and leaned far out.  One was pointing behind them, while the others strained to see what the masked man was indicating. There was a shout of recognition, a shrill scream, and some slightly hysterical laughter.Ilmarė squinted.  “It’s the Phantom of Truth, all dressed in white.”“Just like in the play,” said Kham.  “We’re going to have to find the palace before that party happens.”“What play?” asked Prolk.“It’s complicated,” said Kham.  “Suffice it to say that Carcosa is as much a place as it is a mindset.  When you read about it, you become part of it.”Ilmarė frowned at Kham. “And it becomes a part of you.”They came to a low wall, broken by steps leading down. They led to a slim bridge spanning a canal.  The waters were quite a distance below, but the canal itself was only about twenty feet wide.  The bridge was twenty feet long, less than a foot wide, and fashioned of marble.  There was no handrail. Across the bridge, the Phantom of Truth moved along the far bank and into a doorway close by.“Well, there’s only one thing to do in a situation like this.” Kham took a swig of a potion.  He jogged a few steps back.“What’s that?” asked Scarbelly.“Follow the white stranger.  He’ll lead us to the palace.”  Kham sprinted and took a flying leap, easily clearing the twenty-foot span.Ilmarė put her hands on her hips. “And what about the rest of us?”“You can make it.”The elorii sighed.  Then, holding her arms up high, she launched herself into a series of cartwheels across the narrow bridge.  She landed on the other side with arms spread wide.Kham clapped. “What about us?” snarled Scarbelly.“What, you can’t do that?” asked Kham innocently.Scarbelly muttered a curse.  Then he tentatively edged his way onto the bridge.“I don’t think he can make it with his peg leg,” said Ilmarė.  “Perhaps we should…”“Oh, I’m sure they’ll make it.”There was a yelp followed by a splash as Scarbelly fell into the canal, followed by Prolk and Rask.“Or not.”</blockquote>

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