The Demons of Watchwood Forest 2

[Knight Errant]

James peeks through the gap and the door and grins, seeing all the food piled up. Deciding to check if the room was occupied, he knocks loudly on the door three times before entering.

"Hello? Anyone home?"

As James enters the room he sees the table stretching onwards into a grand dining room! Rows of empty chairs line it. On the far end, at the head of the table, a well dressed man is seated. He is carving some meat from a roast ham with a moderate amount of interest. Finally, at Jame's words, he looks up. "Ah... hello sir. Its not often I get visitors..."

As the King's words came back to Trey, he nodded to the guard's words, "Yes, we've lacked words between the King and Underbough. I've been sent on a mission to Wraith Glen, but it was mentioned that I should look into the reason why we haven't heard anything from you. If you would, as a Knight of the Realm and Paladin of God, I request entry."

(I'll assume Gregor's remaining silent, observing with Courage's help until he is affected or needed by immediate surroundings. Don't get me wrong, explaining how Gregor is being quiet in ten different ways sound fun, but...y'know.)

The man stares a bit... his eyes hardening at Trey's words. "Hold on to yer codpiece, stranger. I need to go get the Mayor." He says, slamming the window shut. Minutes pass... eventually, the door swings open to reveal the city street! And several archers pointing their bows at him. Straight ahead is the doorman, standing next to a taller, clean shaven man in light chainmail and a black robe. He looks to Trey. "Step in quickly, sir... we are on the edge of the world. It does not do well to keep the door open long." He says in a rich, cultured voice.

Ginny blushed brightly from the amount of people that turned and glanced back at her with the woman's prompting. She winced as she was lifted down from the carriage and set on the floor, leaving her gaze up at everyone. Her blue eyes widened at the name the woman used to call her. She figured it would be quite bad to be called Ginny, incase anyone recognised her... but it felt rather embarrassing to have this woman decide her name. Still, she hurried along to catch up with her, feeling nervous due to being surrounded by giants, or at least that's how it felt.

The demoness comfortingly lays a hand on Ginny's shoulder... nodding confidently. "Let us move onwards..." She says... heading towards the gate of the castle to meet the doorguards... a rougher looking lot than the ones in the courtyard. They hold up a hand. "State yer name and business, lady." They say shortly.

The demoness smiles, and speaks in her enchanting voice. "I am Lady Rose... I've come on the invitation of the princess. I assume you are expecting me?" The guards glare a little less... but maintain an attitude of general glariness! But nod. "Yeah I was told somethin like that. Alright... head on in... but we will be watchin you." He says.

Lady Rose smiles, winking at the guards, who cant help but blush. "Thank you, handsome devils..." She says, as they part and she walks into the opening doors of the castle!

Nergal grins, surreptitiously catching his thumb upon a particularly sharp rock - generating a small dab of blood. In another barely-noticeably feint, he brings the hand in front of his torch, the blood vanishing to fuel the flame that had suddenly appeared. His little act was likely beyond the vision of Gol - though perhaps Annie might catch a glimpse of his antics... Which is, of course, what Nergal intended. "Fun indeed... I've always wanted to explore such places."

Gol grabs his own torch, which he lights the mundane method of sticking it next to another lit torch... before heading down into the dark staircase! Meanwhile, Annie tilts her head curiously at the torch in Nergal's hand... and at him... before shrugging and following Gol!

Ovvar doesn't hesitate, by second nature he flicks his dagger at the man as soon as mage's attention is turned to something else other than Ovvar. Even before the blade hits it mark, if it does that is, he tries to react to this new spell. What can he do? The blood seems to be dangerous. And it seems to be doing... something.

He gets in close. He reasons that the mage might not be willing to bring the stuff close to himself.

The dagger would miss, as the blood around Nergal begins shifting... swirling around him like a malestrom. One Ovvar manages to get in the eye of just before it begins tearing up the ground within it... the corpses caught up in it swirling and shredding... soon jagged bits of bone flying within the red tide...

The mage himself looks up in quite a bit of surprise. "My my... what are you doing in here..." he mutters, before chanting again! His blade glowing with the same eeire red light.

[Blaze]

James spots the old man and deciding to play it carefully, he bows to the man and resolves to tell the truth

"I'm sorry sir. I was in some strange ruins and the floor fell out from under me."

Well... truth from a certain point of view.

[Brnin8r]

Trey rode in at a normal pace, staring at the doorman for a moment before glancing up and around to the bowmen. "Is this the way you greet a defender of the King's realm?" he asked with no small amount of derision as Gregor followed in closely after. The paladin dismounted quickly with a clang of his armor as he gazed to each detail of the mayor, a clean-shaven man who, no doubt, kept himself within his lofty house at all times. "Edge of the world or not, we all must keep a civil face about us...lest we succumb to that same darkness we defend against." he spoke slightly more mannerful, "Perhaps you can inform me as to why word of you has not reached us in some time."

[Harri-chan]

Ginny felt so small as the woman's hand settled on her shoulder, but... it was comforting, as much as it stung to admit that to herself. She chewed her bottom lip, looking around at how much bigger everything and everyone now looked, the long white dress flowing around her legs as she walked with the woman to the castle gate.

She peered up nervously at the guards, but her attention soon drifted to the enchanting woman, just as much under her spell as the guards were when she introduced herself, although her eyes did widen a little in suprise when the man claimed to have been expecting them. Her stomach started to squirm now at the thought of seeing her daughter, like this...

[Vomica]

He looks to the man, and clenches his blade a bit tighter, responding in a gruff tone "...they say the eye of the storm is the safest place -- for me at least." He doesn't stand still for idle chatter. That blade is the threat! Ovvar's small edged weapon isn't optimal for sundering other weapons. ...but he isn't defenseless. As the other man chants his mantras, the spell-thief responds to the spell with a very mundane technique. He takes a stab with his blade... but it's really a feint. His other hand is balled in a fist, looking to take a sucker punch when Vilehand responds to the knife.

[Knight Errant]

James spots the old man and deciding to play it carefully, he bows to the man and resolves to tell the truth

"I'm sorry sir. I was in some strange ruins and the floor fell out from under me."

Well... truth from a certain point of view.

The man nods. "Yes, the ruins above arent exactly stable. Your lucky to have survived the fall. But you must be hungry... sit, eat." He gestures to an empty seat.

Trey rode in at a normal pace, staring at the doorman for a moment before glancing up and around to the bowmen. "Is this the way you greet a defender of the King's realm?" he asked with no small amount of derision as Gregor followed in closely after. The paladin dismounted quickly with a clang of his armor as he gazed to each detail of the mayor, a clean-shaven man who, no doubt, kept himself within his lofty house at all times. "Edge of the world or not, we all must keep a civil face about us...lest we succumb to that same darkness we defend against." he spoke slightly more mannerful, "Perhaps you can inform me as to why word of you has not reached us in some time."

"Civility we have, unfortunately we are short on trust. Come." He turns and begins walking. "We can speak at length at my home. I can answer all your questions there."

Even with the mayor's back to him, he could feel the archer's weary gaze... as if waiting for him to move the wrong way.

Ginny felt so small as the woman's hand settled on her shoulder, but... it was comforting, as much as it stung to admit that to herself. She chewed her bottom lip, looking around at how much bigger everything and everyone now looked, the long white dress flowing around her legs as she walked with the woman to the castle gate.

She peered up nervously at the guards, but her attention soon drifted to the enchanting woman, just as much under her spell as the guards were when she introduced herself, although her eyes did widen a little in suprise when the man claimed to have been expecting them. Her stomach started to squirm now at the thought of seeing her daughter, like this...

Lady Rose smiles, strutting through the royal hallways as if she owned the palace. Soon they reached a waiting room, that was much like a cushy study. The guard speaks. "You will be given audience with the Princess as soon as she is available." Rose nods. "Of course, dear... thank you so much."

They turn and leave Ginny alone with the seductress, who pats her lap with a smile.

He looks to the man, and clenches his blade a bit tighter, responding in a gruff tone "...they say the eye of the storm is the safest place -- for me at least." He doesn't stand still for idle chatter. That blade is the threat! Ovvar's small edged weapon isn't optimal for sundering other weapons. ...but he isn't defenseless. As the other man chants his mantras, the spell-thief responds to the spell with a very mundane technique. He takes a stab with his blade... but it's really a feint. His other hand is balled in a fist, looking to take a sucker punch when Vilehand responds to the knife.

Vilehand frowns, jumping backwards. Blade or no blade it isnt good to have someone within stabbing distance. He backs off as clouds of black smoke begin appearing around him! As the blood malestrom begins dieing down.

[Blaze]

Jame slooks at the table and frowns. He just wanted to be away from this creepy place. But he was also very hungry. With a shrug, he throws his better judgement into the wind and sits.

"Thank you. I won't intrude for much longer."

Taking an apple from a fruit display, he bites into it!

[Harri-chan]

The walk through the castle was an embarrassing reminder for Ginny, as she'd been here just a couple of days before, when everything was much bigger. Upon leaving, she'd embarrassed the Princess with a kiss, but now squirmed at the thought of that young woman towering over her.

Her shoulders slumped as she saw Lady Rose patting her lap, bit with a sigh, she climbed up onto it, loose red hair swishing around her white dress. "How are you going to get my daughter? The Princess will know you're not her Mother...", she murmured, before a worried look swept over her face, as if she'd just realised the woman could do so much with her wicked magic.

[Brnin8r]

Trey maintains a calm over his emotions, difficult as it may be in the face of hostility from the majority, and follows the mayor to his home. He'd get to the bottom of this odd situation yet. Gregor clutches his short blade tightly to his chest, following suit and hoping no timber shafts pierce his body this day.

[Vomica]

A deadly storm of blood, bones, and bodies gone? Good thing. A spewing black cloud of shadowy darkness? Not a good thing. Ovvar takes a defensive stance now, unsure of what sort of tricksy sorcery this is.

[Knight Errant]

Jame slooks at the table and frowns. He just wanted to be away from this creepy place. But he was also very hungry. With a shrug, he throws his better judgement into the wind and sits.

"Thank you. I won't intrude for much longer."

Taking an apple from a fruit display, he bites into it!

James eats the apple! It is crisp, sweet, and refreshing! Who would have guessed? His host nods, smiling. "Oh its no trouble at all... its been ages since I had a visitor. Perhaps you could repay me by telling me a bit of whats happening on the surface..."

The walk through the castle was an embarrassing reminder for Ginny, as she'd been here just a couple of days before, when everything was much bigger. Upon leaving, she'd embarrassed the Princess with a kiss, but now squirmed at the thought of that young woman towering over her.

Her shoulders slumped as she saw Lady Rose patting her lap, bit with a sigh, she climbed up onto it, loose red hair swishing around her white dress. "How are you going to get my daughter? The Princess will know you're not her Mother...", she murmured, before a worried look swept over her face, as if she'd just realised the woman could do so much with her wicked magic.

The demonic seductress just chuckles. "Dont worry, dear... you will see soon enough..." She pats Ginny's head, smiling. Then a few minutes later, the doors to the room open! Revealing the Princess... as vibrant and beautiful as the former paladin remembered her. She blinks, looking to the guards flanking her. "Go back to your posts I'll be safe enough with her..." She says, as the guards raise their eyebrows, but turn and leave... leaving them in the room alone.

The demoness gently rises, placing Harri on the ground in front of her... then curtsies to the Princess. "My Princess... its been too long since I saw you last." She says, smiling. The princess tilts her head. "Yes... that is you, demon. I see you wear a new body... I hope you didn't do anything cruel to its former occupant." She says, before looking to Harri. "And who is this..." She asks.

The Demoness turns, smiling. "Go ahead and introduce yourself... or reintroduce yourself..."

Trey maintains a calm over his emotions, difficult as it may be in the face of hostility from the majority, and follows the mayor to his home. He'd get to the bottom of this odd situation yet. Gregor clutches his short blade tightly to his chest, following suit and hoping no timber shafts pierce his body this day.

The mayor leads them up the hill to a large mansion. Gesturing towards the stables. "You may dismount, one of my men will stable your horse." He says, as he walks up the stairs to the main entrance.

A deadly storm of blood, bones, and bodies gone? Good thing. A spewing black cloud of shadowy darkness? Not a good thing. Ovvar takes a defensive stance now, unsure of what sort of tricksy sorcery this is.

Through the black smoke, Ovvar could hear the mutterings of the blood mage... he seems to be using the darkness as a shield to weave another spell! As the blood and bones around him begin glowing with a faint red tinge... rattling with every word.

[Harri-chan]

Ginny couldn't help but blush as the doors opened to reveal the Princess. She was starting to get used to people being much larger, but this was the first person she'd actually met before as an adult, and now as a child. The difference in height between her and the two women was made even more obvious when Lady Rose lowered her down onto her feet.

Her blue eyes widened in suprise at the Princess recognised the Demon Seductress, and for a moment, hope began to swell inside her chest, but turning to look up at the woman... she saw only amusement at being found out. Her blonde hair swished around as she turned to look back up at the Princess, her mouth falling open. Her blush brightened even more... this would have been bad enough if her identity had been secret... but this way it was so much worse. She'd left, confident that she would be victorious, to the point of being arrogant, and now just one day later, returned as a ten year old child.

"Your Highness... we met yesterday... I left my daughter in your care. I am the Paladin, Ginevra Swann... ", she murmured, nervously playing with the hair that the demon had turned red to match her own. "She... said I'm to be called Lucile now... ". A shiver ran down the child's spine, and she suddenly hurried forward, slipping behind the Princess and clutching her long, elegant dress, peering out timidly at the Seductress. "She has to be stopped!".

[Blaze]

James slumps into a chair and finishes his mouthful of apple before starting to talk.

"Well... for one thing, demon attacks are on the rise. It's not safe to be on the roads at night anymore."

He considers mentioning that he is supposed to be helping to find a way to stop them, but decides against it.

[Vomica]

Ovvar grits his death, and unsheathes another blade... drawing the second one into his off hand. He says, "...Vilehand. You are nothing more than a cheap conjurer of tricks! Do you take me for a fool?" Despite having his blades at the ready, the swashbuckler starts to mutter his own words... concentrating on one of the few tricks he can truly do. Vilehand might be a blood mage, but even supernatural attacks have a direction...

[Brnin8r]

Trey stroked Abrosious' mane once as he was encouraged to dismount. Gregor did the same. The Knight-Paladin couldn't shake the feeling of distrust. These people were different. Perhaps it was their distance from civilization or their self-imposed exile...but both were excuses to delude him. He knew it. There has to be a reason why they hadn't heard from this town in months.

He followed them in to take part in their generosity...if it be called that.