Scene 1: The manor

As the two men chat, it is easy to see that Alexander has rubbed elbows with the common folk before. If it wasn't for his finer clothing and his signet ring, one could almost believe he was a commoner as well. The farmer finally begins to speak up himself and Alex sits back, listening like a snake in waiting. A drink here or there, a friendly smile, and you would be amazed at what a person would be willing to divulge. The man stops himself from stepping into too intimate of territory, something that Alexander both appreciates and is annoyed from. He was not here to test them, though he was certain the craftier of the townsfolk would think he was.

News of the Knights brings an inscrutable glimmer to Alexander's eyes for a moment; so it seemed that the pious have descended upon their hometown. What it could supposedly be out in the woods, none would truly know and the knights would certainly be tight-lipped about it. A demon? A nude mad man? A philosopher with a critical thought towards the Church and Government? It could be any one of those things. It did make for an interesting turn of events though.

"Thank you, I am sure your prayers will help her find rest." Alex said, waving them off before finishing his drink and removing himself from the table. He would move over towards Nathaniel, sliding back into his original seat, before leaning in softly to whisper. "Well, it seems Grandmother's illness is an unknown. They don't even know that she has passed. There is, however, a number of Knights in the woods likely on some small crusade. For what, they did not know or would not share."

"Enough about that though. Tell me Nathaniel about your clinic, your work, everything like that. I had heard the rumors that you are quite the doctor now, are you not?" Alexander asked, his smile polite if just a little coy. Even those not directly related to the bloodline always seemed to be involved in something odd and suspicious. Not even Nathaniel could escape that.

Nathanial gives Alexander light applause for his performance as he rejoins him. "The clinic is going well. I am 'quite the doctor', but you know I am not the type to brag. Actually, I could have likely used your help at the local clinic. I offered them my services and they didn't seem inclined to accept my proposal. Like you say, my reputation should have preceded my arrival. Unless..." he says as a frown briefly crosses his face before shaking his head to get rid of the thought. "Wait, what are the knights up to?"

"Unless?" Alexander prodded quietly, arching an eyebrow slightly. While he was a black sheep of the family, he was still of the family. No Rookwood could resist the potential scent of scandal or gossip. It didn't seem like Nathaniel was ready to bite upon the bait yet though as he quickly changed the subject to the knights.

"The man didn't say. Not that I'm surprised..." Alexander said, giving a slight shrug. "...the common folk are aware enough that poking into the business of the knights invites them to look into your own. No one wants that scrutiny."

Nathaniel visibly bristles at this phrase, but tries to move on. . . "Perhaps the old man will know what's happening in the woods. Then again, he may be the cause of the problem. You never know with the Rookwoods. Present company excluded, of course." he adds smiling, and finishing his drink.

"Excluding me? Then you're not as bright as you seem Nathaniel. Nevertheless, I appreciate your kind words." Alexander says after a laugh, grinning as he settled back in his seat. Old Roderick could be the cause of the issue but they'd be at the manor. What was it about the woods that had them so concerned?

It wasn't time though for the thoughts on the pious, not within the inn at least. Instead, conversation slowly moved itself towards the safety of small talk while it looked like rain was going to come in the next day.

The forgotten books put Roderick in a foul mood. He is well used to vent his anger on his subordinates, and now finds himself incapable of directing his resentment on himself.

This is surely the result of external pressure...

He ponders about the circumstances that led him to this point. Of course, the imminent gathering of the Rookwoods is on his mind, but... There is something else, it cannot just be that, affecting his faculties.

There is a force at work here, a powerful hidden puppeteer that is moving strings from a dark backstage... Who wrote the letters to trigger this gathering... Who wants us all under these ancient roofs.

Yes, he tells himself, it is that force that is tampering with his mind, and not a senile moment of forgetfulness.

Claire looks up at Alice and gives her a kind smile.

"Alice!" she says in a friendly tone, as if she hadn't been snooping around at all. She couldn't blame a little curiousity. It was healthy to be curious about things, and it was not often that there were visitors. "This is my brother, Elias. We got hold up by the storm a bit, so we'll be leaving first thing tomorrow morning instead of tonight."

She introduces them in a friendly way. Also trying to avoid any intense response from Elias.

"Elias, this is Alice. One of the nicest students around in Riverlight manor. I just had a talk with her about grandmother earlier today."

Elias gives a polite bow as his intense stare never leaves Alice. It is a pleasure to meet you Alice. I'm glad my sister has a friend such as you here in this place.

Standing there beside Claire, Elias holds his gaze a moment longer and then breaks it turning away and looking at the door and hallway that Alice was hiding behind.

"Oh lord, don't look now Nathaniel but...it seems that our dear grandfather is in attendance." Alexander murmurs, gesturing towards the window where Gunther's old shape could be seen. The man had been Roderick's servant for time untold. The fact that he was still alive was incredible to the young Rookwood. "Shall we see what dear ol' Gunther is up to? You've got the critical, respectable mind, I'll follow your lead."

Nathaniel frowns "Well then, I suppose it was overly optimistic to assume we could avoid him forever. But, you are right, information is ammunition, let's see what we can find out." he says as he goes to talk to Gunther "Why, Gunther, how are you? Please join us for a moment while you are here?"

@Dr_B

As Roderick thinks about the mysterious forces that are at work, he remembers his younger days at the Manor and how the family has been tied to it for so many generations. As he does so, he naturally wonders to the only window in the room, and watches the darkness of the night, looking at the storm approaching from the north.

Suddenly, something catches your eye outside. A shadow or something moving in the ground's graveyard. Whatever that was, it's nothing you would worry too much about. Probably one of those ever-present crows anyway... Instead, it is your sister's mausoleum that grabs your attention. The statue, a perfect replica of how she used to look, seems to be staring back at you, almost as if it wants to tell you something. You are sure it was not facing the Manor last time you were here... so someone must have moved it. If someone is actually sneaking into the Manor's grounds, you have to get those chains fixed. You clearly need to get the house in order as no one else seems to be willing to do it...

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@Cettish,@Squadfather44

As Claire enthusiastically says her name, Alice blushes and slowly moves into the room, as if a little child caught doing something naughty would. She greets and bows flawlessly, despite being very nervous around Elias, particularly as he maintains his intense stare. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Rookwood. I hope you found your travel to the Riverlight Manor pleasant." she says, quickly turning to Claire to explain why she was there "Oh, apologies for the interruption. I was on my way to the kitchen to ask for a glass of water. Would you like me to ask something for you as well?" Elias can't tell if this is just an excuse or not, but Claire, knowing the girl, seems to trust her

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@KingHotTrash,@crazybirdman

Leaving it for Nathaniel to make the first move, Alexander follows the doctor outside to meet with Gunther. Once again, the Waitress is startled by their presence. The girl seems to have either forgotten they were there or just assumed they would not have noticed them outside. As Nathaniel greets Gunther, she excuses herself and runs back to the inn.

Gunther, on the other hand, looks confused as the two men approach him. You both know this is sort of his normal look, so you don't read too much into it. However, it is impressive such a dim-witted man could last as long under Roderick's service as he does. You have seen far more competent servants lasting, much less under that old man. "Lord Alexander and Lord Nathaniel." the man starts, surprising you with his clear memory. You haven't seen him for years and at his advanced age, you just assumed the man would have forgotten half his life by now! Hell! With that constantly malnourished look, you may just as well be surprised he is alive to start with! "Welcome back home" he says, mostly oblivious to the fact no of you would think of it that way. "I am very well. About about you sirs? Going to the Manor? I will let the master know of your arrival."

"It is good to see your mind remains as sharp as a blade, dear Gunther." Alexander says with a small, polite smile upon his face. "We assumed that a return to the manor would be...inevitable. We were certainly hoping that you could tell us the arrangements our dear grandfather has prepared?" Alexander looked towards his cousin for a moment, arching his brow just a little bit. It was time to see if his dear cousin had the gumption the survive within the roost that was the Rookwood family.

A trespassing in our family cemetery, he thinks with mounting fury. If the hicks around the Manor start to think this can be a destination for their undignified intrusions, it is clearly a sign that the name Rookwood has lost its authority. Time to give the bumpkins a lesson, so they know the Rookwood are still watching, and are still a name to whisper in fear. A couple of bad-tempered mastiffs in the grounds should do the trick... I will talk to the Caretaker, to see if we have something suitable in the Kennels.

Roderick wears his heavy wool long coat and ventures out, to check the chained section of the cemetery and assess what damage and outrage has been perpetrated in their grounds. The wind slaps his face with purposeful violence, but his stony countenance does not flinch for a moment.

Elias forces himself to break his gaze at Alice's offer. Any friend of my sister is a friend indeed. Another cup of hot tea would be a perfect way to end the evening. Thank you for your kind offer.

Elias watches as Alice walks away to get the drinks.

@KingHotTrash,@crazybirdman You can see Gunther is a bit uncomfortable as you mention his "sharp mind", almost as if trying to figure out what you mean by that. Clearly the man is not used to hear such words; definitely, not from Roderick. "Oh yes, arrangements. Yes, your dear grandfather. His arrangements you mean? yes, yes." the old servant starts to mumble, not quite sure what you mean...

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@Cettish,@Squadfather44As soon as Elias mentions any friend of Claire is his friend, Alice seems to relax a bit and nods as he asks for a tea. "I shall ask one for you, my Lord." she bows confidently, wishes you both goodnight, and continues to the kitchen. You spend some more time looking around the Riverlight Manor, as Claire shares what her life is like now. It doesn't take too long for the weariness of the long travel to catch up with Elias, and both decide to call it a night. You still have a long way to travel back home.

You leave as soon as the sun starts to rise, the storm having subsided during the night. The Butler has everything ready and provides you with a comfortable carriage. He offers his condolences to your family and apologizes for the Duke's absence, quickly inviting you to return and visit once your business is finished.

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@Dr_B On your way out, you come across Gunther, still looking for the Caretaker. Apparently the man is nowhere to be found, but it is equally likely that Gunther just didn't look in the right place as well.

You continue to walk into the Manor's cemetery. A fog is starting to cover most of the grounds, the humidity in the air almost feeling like frozen droplets on you. You know this is a misty region, but it seems to be thicker than you remember. You walk confidently to the chainyard, the locked portion of the cemetery, having walked this path many times before. Though tonight, you feel a bit uneasy. Maybe it's the crows perched on the gravestones, or the nearby storm. Again, you have that feeling like something nearby is watching you... like you felt with your sister's statue. The wind grows stronger and colder as you get closer to the mausoleum, almost as if trying to push you back, some mystery force wanting to prevent you from reaching it. But whatever this imagined force is, it can't stop you from reaching your goal. You grab the chain, still astonished by the fact that you can't see where it actually broke.... it's almost like as if they just... disconnected from each other.

As they talk, Alexander can tell that they're losing Gunther so he relies on the one thing he could always trust in; his wit. He makes cutting jabs not only about his dear grandfather in such a way that even a loyal servant could snort at but also himself and Gunther as well. It'd be insulting if his wit wasn't so keen as to make the blows seem less offensive and more humorous, allowing the uptight society they existed in a moment to indulge in the ridiculous humor of it all.

You fool, going out in this darkness without a lantern, he thinks, annoyed at himself. First the missing books, then this.

His hand follows the contour of the detached chain links. You will have to solve this little mystery in daylight, now is not the time.
He lets go of the chain and traces back his steps, towards the shelter of the Manor.