1880, March -- East Texas (IC)

The Cabin | Nathaniel
She stirs her stew--it's bubblin' something fierce now, *blop*, *blop*.

"I keep outta the affairs of the town as much as I can. They come to me when their silly preacher ain't offerin' them no good advice or solutions. But I always ask a price..."

"I don't know who is the one afflicted--I just know what I hear. A beast; a were-beast. That's what's troublin' the townsfolk."

She smiles, "The only true way to bring down such a beast is silver--silver and a beheadin'." The smile becomes slyer. "But, there are other ways to 'put the beast to sleep', as it were, so the human soul remains in control. I know the magic for such a spell, but I ain't no alchemist--no, not me. I can say the words, and do the rituals, but I'd need learned folk to assist me..."

Well no Jeremiah I have my own elixir we could try . He opens his jacket and removes a bottle.

I .. well I don't rightly know what might happen. I made it with the idea of a longer life you see but I had a mishap and one of the bottles blew up and for an instant, some kind of being appeared, smiled at me, and then disappeared! So you see it's magic but of what kind I simply cannot say.

Horace is a little nervous. You have nothing to lose though do you?

Nathaniel pales at the mention of a beheading. "One of the people in town is a scientist who seems to deal in potions and salves. If we bring him here, can he assist in this ritual? Would this permanently put the beast to sleep?"

He's also a bit chafed by her demeaning attitude toward the town preacher, but lets it go for now.

Kaladin is disquieted by the notion of beheading a person who may (or may not) even be aware of his affliction. Surely a bullet is more humane, but if the beast can permanently be put to sleep that is the best outcome.

Thinking to himself, "of course I would end up at a town hunted by a werewolf... what are the odds..." than shaking his head to clear his troublesome thoughts.

turning towards the lady, you mentioned the townsfolks come to you for help. Would you happen to know how a someone gets afflicted with the "curse" of being a werewolf? have there been any other incidents that are far from normal?

In the General Store | Horace
Jeremiah nods gravely.
"No Mr. Phinney, you're right. I have nothing to lose. Hand it over..."

William reaches for the bottle.

In the Cabin | Nathaniel and Kaladin
She spoons up a bit of stew, then slurps it. She goes back to stirring it.

"Hm. I could certainly assist. In fact, I'll go with you, into town, if ya'll would be so kind as to offer an old woman assistance. I'm needed to freshen up my work at the saloon, as it is."

She stands, with man a pop of old bones. "As to your question young man," she says to Kaladin. "It's said that the bite of the beast spreads the curse."

She hobbles to a work table and picks up a large, leather bound book. She continues as she walks back to Kaladin and Nathaniel. "Of course, I'll need payment from one of ya'll. I'd think from you, Peach Cheeks," she says to Nathaniel.

"And your signature to seal the deal." She cracks the book open and places it on the fireside stool...

She awaits your answers.

Nathaniel looks over the book as the old lady places it down. "That's awfully kind of you ma'am to help us. And we'd be happy to assist you to town.".

Glancing furtively at his companion then back at Ms. Evans, "May I ask though what kind of payment is required?"

The Cabin
"You certainly may ask. Just two years off your natural life. You're young yet, an' you won't even miss it."

She pulls out a small pen knife and a feather pen.

Wide eyed at her request, Nathaniel let's out a sharp, nervous laugh. "You must be kidding ma'am!? Is there anything else we can offer instead?"

"Horace gives the bottle to William. Here you go and good luck."

Horace's eyes fairly sparkle with excitement and anticipation with not even the smallest care for the poor man who he considers lost anyway.

The Cabin
She tuts at Nathaniel. "'fraid not Sonny. 'Prices are steep when the cost is high, if ya know what I mean."

She squints at you. "What are you? Thirteen? You won't even notice for a good long while. 'Sides, you're more like to doe well before any natural demise."

The General Store
...William takes hold of the bottle, pops the cork and sniffs the contents. He winces. "Ooof. Smells like it's got a kick." He shrugs, lifts the bottle to his lips and takes a long drink...

Nathaniel ponders her offer, she's either crazy, or serious. Not good either way.... Something holds him back from completely dismissing her though if she's true in her word of being able to help with something like this, then maybe...

"Ms. Evans, do you mind if we talk in private for a moment?"

In the General Store | Horace
William chucks down the draught--glug, glug, glug--then slams the empty bottle down on the counter top.

For a moment nothing happens.

May watches wide-eyed.

Jeremiah watches with a face carved from stone.

Then William's stomach gurgles like a Yellowstone geyser blowin' steam. "Ah!"

He doubles over, and clutches his stomach.

"William, no!" May starts to rush to his side.

But William holds up a hand. "No, May I'm--gggrrryaaaahh." His eyes go yellow for a flash, and he growls low in his chest--it's the sound of a wild animal.

But then he straightens. "I'm--I'm alright May." William looks at Horace and wipes his brow. "By golly Mr. Phiney, I think I'm alright!"

May claps her hands together. "Oh WillIAM!" She puts her arms round his neck.

"I--I feel it inside me...the beast. But It's like ya put it to bed for the night, all tucked warm like, under a flannel quilt. I can't say how long this will last, but I feel I'll make it through this moon at the very least!"

He stares into the middle distance. "An' the ghouls...it's like they gone quiet..." he looks at Horace. "Ya know?"

"Mr. Phinney, how can we repay you?!"








A knock sounds at the general store door. Everyone jumps with a start and stares at the door.

The Cabin in the Woods

She smiles a near toothless smile at Nathaniel. "Ya'll are free to speak in private, outside, anytime ya like. I'll finish gatherin' my things for my walk down to the town. Let me know when you're ready to bargain my dear."

"Oh, sorry ma'am, I meant if you and I can talk in private, about the bargain?"

The Cabin | Nathaniel
She's apologetic. "Oh. Silly me. Of course we can! Follow me to my bedroom, and you can ask what you will as I load my bag."

If you follow after Alta, and her hobbling walk, you'd arrive in her cluttered bedroom. She opens a large bag with a snap of a buckle and starts loading herbs, paints, stones, etc.

She's obviously waiting for your questions.

Horace's eyes verily gleam as he watches the potion take hold of the possessed young man. His emotions run the gamut throughout the ordeal. Fear, excitement, awe and then finally happiness and a modicum of surprise.

"By golly, it seems to have worked!" He opens his jacket to reveal the other potion bottles with a wide smile.

"Well there is plenty where that came from. Perhaps a .... Oh! Expecting company?"