Chapter 2: The Creepy Forest

Nursing a pounding forehead, Belvedere blinks through the morning’s harsh rays. He sighs with contentment each time the sun is hidden behind the thick canopy above once again.

"Oh, oh… Yes, lovely." he says, taking the wand. He presses the tip against the floor and finds it a little short to be a walking stick.

"And… and remind me again what it might do, if you don’t mind. I have the foggiest mind this morning. Forgive me, won’t you?"

Having received his answer, he looks to the others and gives a weary sigh:

"I suppose we had better be on our way then! To the, eh…" he says, coming up short on the details!

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Not long into the journey, he pulls free his instrument, and makes a show of presenting it to everyone.

"A little something for our spirits. Don’t… Don’t be shy now, eh? Sing along if you know the words!"

It's with a solemn affair that makes way for the creepy forest. Xaka and Kendral share sharp looks, still sore after a heated exchange the night before about whether or nor Moonshadow should sleep in the house with them. Moonshadow itself was likely the most putout, but Xaka couldn't read the dark looks of the owl. She liked owls well enough, and it was a gorgeous bird. Just, not in the house. It was bad luck, and Xaka was as stubborn as a frozen rock.

When Belvedere sighs about the path, and runs out of words, she lends her assistance. "Forest of Creeps, to the Castle of the Fallen Countess. It's where we are going." She looks ahead. "At least, that's where we were told we are going."

Speaking above the sound of his instrument, Belvedere lets out a hearty laugh:

"Aha! Is that an adventurous spirit, I detect? Where we were told to go, and where the road takes us…well, they so often are two very different things indeed!"

He continues playing then, humming along and trying to string a few original words together to the music.

Then, he snaps out of it and curses himself!

"Goddess, strike me down! I’m sure I’ve heard tell of the, eh… What was it? Oh, yes! The Castle of the Fallen Countess before. What was it they used to say?"

"I hope you do recall a bit more about the fate of the Countess, Belvedere, and what we may find is the current state of her fortress. The Baron was a bit vague in his history lesson. He just told us the fortress was sacked by invaders and alluded that she used undead magic to fight them off, sacrificing her life to raise the dead, perhaps becoming one herself."

"I am sure though that this map will lead us to her fortress."

Kendral looks up in the trees and spots Moonshadow on a branch before the bird takes flight to another tree. He catches another sharp look from Xaka. Replying to the glare he says to her, "Hey, I didn't bring the bird into the study...he's happy now that we're all on the trail together...he likes you, you know."

"Hoo, hoo" calls the bird down from the autumn canopy.

Grimbly wrinkles his nose at the stench of forest decay and the loamy smell of fungus as he tries to discern the path or any path for that matter.

"Hmmm. I knew it was going to be hard to find the way. I don't suppose you could be persuaded to stay with us, guide, or failing that, the owl could point the way? Their eyes are sharper to be sure."

To Kendral he says in his scratchy voice, "I do not share your optimism and as to singing, well Belvedere, I am told my voice can wake the dead so I best not even try."

"Bah! It escapes me at the moment!" the skald says, after taking a long while to wrack his brain.

"Its likely to come to me at the most inopportune time! Isn’t that always the way?" he says, continuing to him along to his tune.

"You have the voice of a necromancer, Grimbly! The very envy of all the wizards in all the towers!" he quips, with a triumphant laugh.

"I suppose you’ve heard the ditty about brave Sir Balbao? Played in every tavern across the territories!"

He starts to strum:

"Rising up, back on the street…" he sings, with dramatic panache!

Xaka frowns at the noise, but then again, they aren't hunting. "I don't mind you chasing the deer away, but I hope that ruckus doesn't draw a troll, or a herd of rampaging centaurs." She thinks about the ensuing fight. "Actually, maybe sing louder."

"And a rabble rouser!" Belvedere adds to his previous remarks on Xaka’s charcater!

"Just… Just don’t let the Centaurs hear you calling them a herd, eh? This old skald seems to remember something about the Centaurs thinking it speaks "more to their bestial nature", or some notion like that.

They prefer a Kingdom of Centaurs, if you’ll believe it! Though, if it’s a fight you want, a herd shall suffice…"

Xaka stops and examines the horseshoe. "We we following others sent before us, I wonder? If so, they could be trying to steal the treasures!" She gets up, suddenly angry, then rushes over and knocks twice (gently) on Kendral's bow stave.

Kendral turns to Xaka when she knocks on his bow and acknowledges her concern. "I hope that isn't the case."

"Moonshadow may be able to follow the tracks for us and warn if they lead to any active danger," Kendral says. He then calls up into the canopy "Moonshadow, Perch!" When (if) the owl comes Kendral lets him land on his raised arm. He kneels and touches the dried tracks with his other hand. "Scout and Warn," he commands the owl.

"Is there blood?" Belvedere asks, with a gasp; always one for a dramatic turn or flair. "Perhaps the beasts of this wood have filled their bellies already tonight and we might be left alone?"