>>43926470
>Look around for another entrance, there’s got to be one

>>43926470
>Ask to tie their nets into a rope, quick way down.

>>43926470
Look around for another entrance, there’s got to be one

>>43926470
>Ashwyn, ride back and get more men, this is serious.

>>43926470
>What should we do now, master?
I say we: >Look around for another entrance, there’s got to be one

I slap a fist into an open palm. "We should look around for another entrance.” I glance back at my master. “Right?”

He nods, “Don’t fancy our odds of climbing down there, given we don’t know where that bastard is.” He cups a hand behind his ear. You’d think these tunnels would echo a lot. Curious that we can’t hear any… screams for help, isn’t it?”

I strain my hearing, but… nothing.

“Say, where’s that girl you had with you.” The squire asks atop his grey. “I had plans to offer her a ride up here with me. Silver can handle another passenger.”

The spook just nods down the hole, “Down there.” He grunts. “And like I said. I advise keeping your distance.”

The squire shrugs, “Well men, you heard these spooks of ours. Split up, and find a safe path underground!” He commands, the bleary eyed guards splitting off through the forest, as Ash trots off after them.

“Silver, eh?” The spook comments, with a roll of his eyes, before gesturing for me to follow.

It takes the better part of the morning, each minute of which I can feel ticking by, as the sun rises high above, before we finally hear a call through the trees, a path leading downwards at a more bearable fifty degree decline, under the roots of a great oak tree.

“Well… another confirmation that these aren’t dark creatures.” The spook mutters, tapping the tree trunk. He gestures for the guards. “You lot first then.” He adds.

They grumble and frown between themselves, making sure Ash agrees with the order, but the squire waves them down, looking offended they didn’t obey immediately. “So sorry about them.” He apologises off handedly. “The lord of the house didn’t exactly give me the best tempered men.”

We get an all clear, and Ash dismounts, fetching a rapier and his own net from his saddle, twirling the blade playfully in it’s sheath. “Ah! Leon, a monster hunt, should be grand, no?”

I grunt non-committally, forging on ahead with the spook, we trace our way back to the hole Kara fell in, following the path a bit more, we find a fork in the tunnels, one going right, while the other stays straight.

The spook orders torches lit, then rubs his chin. “Leon. You take three of the men and… our dear squire and lead them down this side path.” He orders. “I’ll take the other three. You find anything, and I want you soldiers to bang on your armour and scream loud enough to wake the dead. Understood?”

They looked to Ash again and he nods. “You’re to follow Mr Johnson’s orders.” He agrees.

>I don’t think seperating is smart
>Yes sir
>Ask the spook something first.
>Write in

>>43926913
>Yes sir
Second guessing him in this situation seems foolish. Even if I'm half guessing he already figured out which way the lapine went and is sending us off in the opposite direction.

>>43926913
>Yes sir

>>43926913
>>Yes sir

>>43926913
>>Yes sir

>>43926913
>>I don’t think seperating is smart

“Yes sir.” I nod.

AShwyn elbows me in the ribs, “Just say the word, the men will follow your orders as well. Right gents?” There’s a vague grumbling of agreement, and the spook heads off, disappearing up his own tunnel, as we head down the side path, pitch black, save for the torch light.

The air down here is heavy, silent too, save for the occasional stream of dirt falling from a wall of ceiling, or the scrape of someone kicking a rock, or rough patch of floor.

“Don’t like it down here.” A guard mutters. “Twenty feet of solid ground between us and fresh air. Size it up all you want, but this is an overgrown burrow. Not exactly going to be standing forever.”

Ashwyn frowns, “Oh hush.” He sighs. “You’re only trying to make us panic.” He draws himself to his full height, “How bout a song lads? That should get our spirits up?”

He starts to draw a breath, but I cut him off. “Best not. We’re quite clearly on the hunt in the creature’s lair.” I gesture forward. “Do you really think making as much noise as possible is a good idea.”

He lets the breath go, nodding, “Ah. Fair point, fair point.” He leans forward, peering into the dark. “How old are you now Leon?” He asks.

“Fourteen.” I reply, trying to focus on listening for anything else.

“Fourteen, eh?” He grins, before ruffling my hair, “Bit on the short side for fourteen, no?” I stare at him, and he shrugs again, giving me a wide, white toothed grin. “Sixteen myself. Not that I’m a giant by any means.” He seems to abandon that thought, slipping his sword free and holding it towards me, gleaming in the torchlight. “Ever held a sword before?” He asks. “I assume not, you look… well not a complete peasant, but too skinny to be properly rich…” He hums in consideration, “Your mother was… a midwife? No… your father was a doctor!”

>Coroner, actually.
>It’d be better if we were quiet for now.
>Could I hold it now?
>Write in

>>43927373
>Coroner, actually.
>It’d be better if we were quiet for now.

>>43927373
>>It’d be better if we were quiet for now.

>>43927373
>Coroner, actually
>It’d be better if we were quiet for now.

>>43927373
>Coroner, actually.
>It’d be better if we were quiet for now.
"We are hunting what is essentially a giant rabbit. Big ears on those."

>>43927373
>>Coroner, actually.
>>It’d be better if we were quiet for now.

“Coroner, actually.” I explain.

He claps his hands at that, “Ha! A spook who’s already used to spending time around dead things. I love it.” I peer ahead, raising a finger to my lips, as the guards shoulders ease a little. “So you’ve no fear for dead then?”

“Ash, it might me better if we're quiet for now.” I explain in a low whisper. “In case you’ve forgotten, we’re hunting what is essentially a giant rabbit. They’ve got rather sensitive hearing.”

The guards smiles fade back to grim lines, as Ash shrugs, putting his sword back on his hip.

We walk for a few more minutes, with no more forks in the road, until we exit into a slightly larger, more carved out chamber. About the size and dimensions of a bedroom, a small hole in the roof lets in a shaft of weak light and fresh air, while doing its best to keep the elements out.

A number of objects lay strewn about the room haphazardly, oil lamps and necklaces, apple cores, and in a corner a densely packed layer of pine needles, with a small, human siezed indent in them. “A mattress?” Ash asks, as the guards try to crack open a locked chest by a far wall. “For keeping lice away perhaps.”

“Looks that way.” I agree, glancing around the room. There’s another entrance, opposite the one we came in through, a few more crates litter the room, along with some still uneaten fruits and vegetables of varying types.

>Move on.
>Call for the other group
>Search the bedding for any clues.
>Check the crates
>Focus on getting the chest open.
>Write in

>>43927818
>Write in
Use the mattress. *nudge, nudge, wink, wink*

>>43927818
>>Search the bedding for any clues.

>>43927818
>>Search the bedding for any clues.

>>43927818
>Move on.
Maybe we can come to an understanding with the alpine male. It's destruction of property, not a crime bad enough to make him into an outlaw.

Also we should probably take the mattress with us. We could use an extra mattress. We should take it home with us. Loot the mattress!

>>43927884
>loot the mattress
>a densely packed but still loose pile of pine needles
Are you just skimming and ignoring important details, or is your reading comprehension just that poor?

Or are you just trying to be clever and funny, and failing miserably at it?

>>43927884
Damn you mattress anon, you followed us.

So, how are we going to save Kara from Mr. Johnson?
He's pretty much convinced she's in league with the other lapine, and he'll likely kill them both.

“Give me a hand digging through this, would you?” I ask Ash.

He shrugs, helping me tear the bedding apart, we go over the needles, looking for clues, before I extract a small case, fitting in the palm of my hand, which itself harbours a pair of brooches on blue velvet inside.

They seem to be made of some lacquered wood, identically painted, each with dozens of small rabbits- or likely lapines, intricately painted with tiny details, all being watched over by two larger lapines standing under an archway, leaning against each other. I check the backs for good measure, one has a K painted on the back, while the other bears an L.

“Curious.” Ash remarks, before showing me his own clue; a soft cottony clump of white hair and an intricately handled dagger, screaming faces carved into the wooden handle. “The blade itself is only fire hardened wood.” Ash notes, “But look.” He presses his finger to the edge, blood welling quickly to the skin. “As sharp as steel. And….” He flips it in his hand, presenting the words carved in.

“Human Shield.” I real aloud.

“Not exactly inviting, now is it.” Ash remarks, his playful attitude having slipped away, “Seems whoever was staying here, not the biggest fan of their fellow man.” He slips the dagger into an accompanying wooden sheath. “Though this hair I found… Never seen a person’s like it.”

Across the room, I can hear the guards bashing at the lock on the chest with their pikes now.

>Tell him what a lapine actually is.
>Best find out what’s in the chest.
>We need to get moving.
>Write in

>>43928221
>>Best find out what’s in the chest.

>>43928221
>>We need to get moving.
Breaking a person's stuff is going to make a peaceful resolution much less likely.

>>43928221
>Best find out what’s in the chest.

>>43928221
Changing my vote>>43928347
to supporting >>43928341

>>43928221
>We need to get moving.

>>43928221
>We need to get moving.

>>43928221
>>Best find out what’s in the chest.

Open the box, for magical goodies.

“We need to get moving.” I tell Ash, and he relays the orders to the guards, as the squire takes the knife and brooches.

They eye the chest wistfully, as they stow their weapons and fetch the nets and torches again. Even more wistful are the looks they throw backwards as you head back into the darkened tunnels, the faint chirps of birds that had drifted from above fading quickly into morose silence again.

The air starts to feel a little damp quickly, and the guard leading the group lets out a grunt of fear as his left leg sinks suddenly. The others rush to help him, as you freeze in anticipation, but it was simply part of the flow being extra loose packed earth over a hole.

“Nearly twisted my damn ankle!” He growls, spitting into the hole as he grabs for his dropped torch.

“Making too much noise.” You hear Ash mutter, before he strides forwards, clapping them on the shoulders. “Bruce! Come now, don’t over play it so much, alright?”

The guard still frowns, but quiets down and resumes the march forward. You can hear the faint sound of rushing water overhead approaching. “Must be under one of the shallower rivers.” You mention, as a drop splashes against your head.

“Goldwine, I think.” Bruce mutters, “Heads into the lake, then flows on out to sea.”

“Twenty feet of earth, AND a chance of drowning.” Another guard chips in. “Reaumond don’t pay us enough for this.”

“He plays you lot plenty.” Ash replies cooly, an easy smile still on his face. “Or should I tell the sergeant of insubordination in the ranks?”

>>43928221
>>Tell him what a lapine actually is.

They shut up at that, and we march on for a few more minutes, the tunnel banking to the left, then right, then right again, then left. “Some burrow.” Ash mutters as you come to another fork, before you shush him.

Straining your ears, you can… just hear it. You can’t tell who’s doing it, but you can hear sobs on the edge of your hearing. High pitched, but you can make them out, coming from the tunnel on the right.

>Go check it out.
>Might be a trap, or misdirection, take the left.
>Split the group down both paths.

The spook is rather foolish to assume calling her "honey" mean the lapine is friendly toward or even knows Kara.

I mean, guys calling girls things like "babe" even in hostile situations isn't uncommon

>>43928645
>Go check it out.

>>43928645
>>Go check it out.

>>43928645

>Go check it out alone, but with the soldiers following as discreetly as they can, at a distance

>>43928645
>>Split the group down both paths.

>>43928645
>Go check it out

>>43928655
to be fair, the guy does have a brooch with her name on it basically

“Best check on it.” I mutter, and the guards lead the way down the path.

The sob’s slowly get closer until we come to another entrance, coming up into the light of day, the others all breathe a little easier, as we find a small child sitting by a tree, rather, slumped by a tree, clutching it’s ribs and sobbing to herself. At a guess, she’d be seven or eight.

Ashwyn reaches her first, “Hey now…” He breathes gently, stroking the girl's bright blonde hair.“Are you alright?”

The girl lets out another pained sob. “Chest hurts.” She whines, her breathing sounding laboured.. “Big thing smacked me, hit me into the tree.”

I squat down beside the girl as well, gently prodding. “She’s got a broken rib, maybe two in front.”

Ash grabs her hand, stroking it gently, “Can you lean forward?” He asks. She shakes her head, so I brush my hand between her and the tree. “I’d say four cracked in the back, but no permanent spinal damage.” I surmise. “Breath’ll be knocked out of her for a few weeks, but barring infection, she should live.”

“Sh-should?” The girl whimpers.

“Leon!” Ash snaps, before smiling down at her, “You’ll be fine, sweet child.” He snaps his fingers to a guard. “Fetch my horse, and ride back to the castle, I want a proper doctor to patch her up.” The girl smiles at him appreciatively, squeezing weakly back at his hand. “Anything else you can tell us about the monster honey? We’re here to slay it.” He tells her, bravado in his voice.

She smiles at him again. “It was big! And brown, and it was shoving this girl in a hood in front of it. Kept looking behind it under the tree. I was just looking for berries in the bushes over there, when it saw me and… got surprised.” She weakly flicks the back of her hand in a slapping motion, before sobbing with pain again.

“And where’d it go?” I ask.

She grimaces, raising a hand and pointing to a cluster of elderberry bushes, “Another tunnel behind those. More hidden. It shoved the girl in first.”

“Okay.. okay… That’s enough.” The squire assures her. “Get some rest, and you’ll be feeling better in no time.”

The squire stares at the two remaining guards, then the bushes. “Thoughts?”

“It’s attacking people sir, I think we should kill it now.”

“Children no less.” The other adds.

Ash looks for my opinion. “You’re the authority on the issue. Who knows where your master and the rest are under this bloody forest."

>No killing, now let's go.
>Keep your weapons ready.
>We should reconvene with the others first.
>Write in

>>43929091
>We should reconvene with the others first.

>>43929091
>>We should reconvene with the others first.

>>43929091
>We should reconvene with the others first.

>>43929091

>It might be a trap. Keep your weapon ready, but don't attack anything for now.

>>43929091
>>We should reconvene with the others first.

>>43929091
>Keep your weapons ready.

>>43929091
>We should reconvene with the others first.
>There's a reason why Spooks don't use swords, I think.

>>43929091
>>Keep your weapons ready.

>>43929449
The reason is that steel is both expensive and weaker than iron against the normal creatures of the night. We know these aren't the same as the kind master usually fights since they don't seem to care when covered in iron shackles or have silver shavings placed on them so swords should be acceptable.
>>43929091
>Keep your weapons ready.
>We should reconvene with the others first.

>>43929529
Well, that's correct, but killing what we don't like sets a bad precedent.

>>43929547
We're spooks. That's pretty much what we do since there's no one in the world that's willing to give a monster a fair trial. We're the closest thing to a fair trial and this guy isn't exactly looking like a benevolent monster.

>>43929547
It's in job description. Also He is eating babies, and has eldritch artifacts.

>>43929598
What babies has he eaten?

>>43929091
backing >>43929308

Also: Ha! Ha! Time for bunny waifu simulator!

>>43929587
There's a large difference between something genuinely hostile, and whatever is going on with the male Lapine.

If just one can dig all of this without tools, imagine how strong they are.

Finally, that squire is too jumped up to be helpful. He'll charge in and get the shit knocked out of him. Trying for non-violent means we don't have to risk our lives.

I shake my head, “We should reconvene with the others first.” I tell them.

Ash frowns, “Leon… we have no idea where they are, it’s a bloody maze down in those tunnels. Who knows how many others that thing will hurt while we wander around looking for them?”

I shake my head, “We should at least try, go on back down the tunnel and make some noise, like the spook said. Make some noise and get some attention.”

“And hope we don’t call it down on us while we’re at it.” Bruce mutters. “You saw what it did to the girl.”

Ash frowns, but waves them back to the tunnel. “Gentlemen, we hired these spooks because they know what we’re dealing with. So if he says go get the others, then we should go get the others.” He wrings his hands and jabs Bruce in the side. “I’ll make special mention of you to the captain, you might even get a promotion, cushy hall guard job. Sound good?”

They share a look, clearly tempted. “Yes milord.” They say in unison, hurrying back down the previous tunnel and screaming their lungs out.

Ash rolls his eyes, “Sometimes you need to lay a little bit of charm down.” He mentions to you. “And sometimes you just need to straight up bribe people.” He smirks, “I mean, provide incentive, of course.” He pulls a flask from his belt, taking a swill, before offering it to me. “Spiced rum, good stuff.”

We hear a replying call echo up from the tunnel. “They heard us!” One of the guards calls back. “They’re heading to the surface.” I hand Ash’s flask back, remembering what Mr Johnson said about keeping my wits about me on the job.

It takes nearly an hour for the other group to wend their way back to the surface, the much better part of the day having waned away by now, the guards all look ash faced and sweaty in their patrol armour, drinking deeply and cleaning off in a nearby creek, as the spook is filled in by myself, Ash and the girl, his own party having found nothing but tracks leading to a cave in.

A doctor arrives, soon after, the girl being loaded into a wagon gently and carted off, moaning with pain as they leave.

“Sounds like this is where they’re hiding now then.” The spook mutters, running his eyes over the dagger. “Nothing friendly would have a knife like this.” He points out. “Still… I want your men to at least TRY and use the nets, if they have a choice.”

He snaps his fingers in my direction. “You and I are going to go ahead, and at the very least try and talk to the thing. It may be violent, but he may listen to reason still.”

Just as he brushes the bushes aside to enter the second tunnel, loud singing echoes up from the depths. Unmistakably Kara’s voice, loudly echoing up the tunnel, some odd tune, about cotton on the wind or something? It’s hard to tell with the words echoing over each other.

“She’s having fun.” The spook comments.

>Maybe the guards should go first.
>Kara might be covering our approach master.
>I might have made a mistake trusting her.
>Write in

>>43929881
>Kara might be covering our approach master.

>>43929881
>Kara might be covering our approach master.

>>43929881
"
>>Kara might be covering our approach master.
but
>>I might have made a mistake trusting her.
We'll see."

>>43929881
>>Kara might be covering our approach master.
but
>>I might have made a mistake trusting her.

>>43929881
>>Kara might be covering our approach master.
>Other
"Please remember that she mentioned a friend that disappeared along with her, but he apparently emerged much earlier than she did. Also that her people are hunted for sport by humans. That kind of treatment can make them suspicious of us, especially if you really do go in with the intention to kill them."

>>43929881
>Write in
Is that truly the only reason you can think of master?

>>43929881
>Kara might be covering our approach master.
I trust the bun.

>>43929881
>Kara might be covering our approach, master.

Fuck rule number one of spooking, I'm trusting her.

>>43929881
>Kara might be covering our approach master.

I glance over at him. “She might have heard the bushes moving. She could be covering our approach for us.” I point out.

The spook gives me a dry look. “First rule, on the first day Leon. What was it?” I stare back at him in silence, “Don’t trust women.” He finishes. “Either way, we’ll know soon.”

We make our way down the tunnel, as a second voice can be made out under Kara’s, male, pleading. “Kara! Please, shut your mouth. You’re hurting my ears. Just… give me a few more minutes, and I’ll have the way open…. I think.”

I feel a sudden shiver of cold shoot down my spine, as does the spook, as evidence by him straightening up. “Magic.” The spook whispers. “Magic afoot.”

Kara continues her loud singing, drowning out our footsteps, as we approach a side path, this one lit by lamplight. The spook presses to the wall and peers around the corner into the room, as I dart across the door and peer in the other side.

“Kara please! I don’t want to gag you, but we’ll get caught.” The girl shuts up, as the male continues,
“Just a few more symbols…” He mutters the sound of scratching chalk now evident. “She said, a bone, a house, carrot, a blade and then…. was it dog, or a doe?” I can see crude symbols of the other things he’d already named, lining the exterior of a circle drawn on the wall. The lapine has his back to us, slightly over my height, his hair a soft, lighter brown than Kara’s, who is currently sitting atop a crate, looking at the circle on the wall.

I catch the spooks eye, and he nods to me, gripping his staff tightly, he shifts it to a fighting grip.

>Rush him
>Go back for the guards.
>Step out first, call out to them (Write in)

>>43930469
>Rush him
Bludgeon then interrogate.

>>43930469
>>>Step out first, call out to them (Write in)

So this was just about capturing a runaway?

>>43930469
>Rush him

I'm going to bet he got suckered into a witch's service.

>>43930469
>Rush him

Big staff bash between the ears. That's what we need to do

>>43930562

I think he's trying to open a portal to his world. But I could bet the person who told him what to do screwed him in some way or another

>>43930469
>Step out first, call out to them
"You need to be more careful with symbols. The wrong one can take you somewhere other than home."

>>43930469
>>Step out first, call out to them (Write in)
"Who told you about that magic?"

>>43930469
>Rush him

>>43930469
>Step out first, call out to them (Write in)
If you don't know what your doing, you might want to stop. Magic is a dangerous thing to mess with. And you don't want to hurt yourself or her, right?

Maybe the little girl was a witch. I don't think she is, but, well, some witches are good at that kind of lie

>>43930469
>Step out first, call out to them "We might be able to help you get back."

writing

>>43930753
There was no mention of pointy shoes so I think we can safely assume she was not.

Before he can move, I step out into the open, “If you don’t know what you’re doing, I’d advise you to stay away from magic.” I call out.

Kara glances over her shoulder at me, fear in her eyes, as the male whips around. “Human!” He spits, his nose just as buttony as his female counterpart. “You stay the hell away from us.” He growls, reaching for his belt, a look of worry crossing his face as he comes up with nothing.

“If you’re looking for your dagger, you left it in your bedroom.” I tell him, holding my hands wide. “Same with those brooches.”

That one really seems to bother him, he clutches at his pockets, “No, not the brooches!” He gasps, patting himself desperately. “I needed those! I’d been saving for years.”

Kara’s eyes have gone wide, pink in her cheeks, “Brooches? Letuh?”

The male, Letuh, apparently is panicking, “Piss!” He stamps his foot against the ground, “No! No time left now, the conduit’s power is running Kara, we have to go. She can help us get back home properly!” He grabs his chalk, scribbling a rough dog onto the wall, as the spook steps into the room as well, Letuh growing panicked in his movements, as the spook strides towards him.

The spook moves to shatter a strange jar with his staff, but the lapine is too quick for him, finishing his dog, the centre of the circle turns from a rock wall to a soft, lavendar purple, easily large enough for me to step through.

The staff smashes the jar, and a loud rumbling shriek shakes the earth itself around us, deafeningly loud.

“Kara! Come on!” Letuh calls to the girl, extending his hand. “This is the way home!” He smiles at her tenderly, “Don’t you want to see your family again? Your people? People who don’t try to take you on sight?”

Kara stares past us at the purple hole in the wall, a pained expression crossing her face, as the spook readies his staff. “This is dark magic you’re interfering with boy, you don’t want to be meddling about with power you've borrowed without understanding.”

In a bolt, Kara is on her feet, running towards Letuh.

I hear the spook harrumph, as Kara runs towards him, a stack of crates blocking the two lapines from me, I start to clamber over it.

Then, at the last second, Kara shakes her head, her hands extending, she shoves Letuh through the hole, digging her heels into the dirt, she comes to a complete stop.

The room falls quiet, as the spook keeps his grip on his staff, the sounds of running footsteps from the tunnel outside, quickly approaching. “He said it was the way home….” She mutters. “Do you really think it is?”

The spook shakes his head, “I don’t know where it leads, but magic like this, I don’t trust.”

Kara reaches out a finger, almost dipping it through, then pausing again, looking back at me, her eyes questioning.

>Go for it.
>I’ll come with you.
>Kara, don’t go.
>Write in

>>43931137
>Kara, don’t go.
>(Write In) "Borrowed magic expects a price. And it's usually more then you can pay."

>>43931137
>Kara, don't go

>>43931106
I really do want to help Kara go home, but a magical portal created by an amateur using half-remembered instructions from an untrustworthy source?
For her safety, I can't endorse this.

>>43931137

I don't know how long it'll take to find you a way home but this isn't it. You don't have to choose to stay here forever, yet.

File: 1446796777377.png (659 KB, 1280x720)

659 KB PNG

Spook quest? Does this have anything to do with the ghost buster?

>>43931195
Same, she should be able to go home, but shady magic is shady.

>>43931137
>Write in
"Kara, he couldn't remember if the last symbol was a dog or a doe. It might lead home or it might lead somewhere else. Let's do this right and not mess it up."

>>43931251
Yeah, but I have a feeling that if she doesn't take this opportunity, she won't get another chance.

>>43931137

>Kara, don’t go.

>We don't know anything about it, aside that it's using magic known to be dangerous and have its price be too much. We can search for another way.

>But if you really, really want to take this risk, I won't stop you.

>>43931314
That's a bunch of shit. We can study and take our time with this, making sure she has both an understanding of how and enough magic for several trips, along with a way to defend herself.

>>43931137
>Write in
He said he doesn't know what he is doing himself.
In magic this means it probably gonna go spectaculary wrong.

>>43931137
>>Go for it.
"You have nothing to lose, do you?"

>>43931137
>Kara, don’t go.

"Kara, don't go." I call to her. "That thing's dangerous, dark magic, using half remembered instructions? That thing could take you anywhere. Or nowhere, who knows what price magic like that wants in return?"

She raises her hand again, looking me dead in the eye and nods, dragging a finger through the outline of the house, smudging it along the wall.

The hole in the wall just vanishes, gone in a flash, as the guards thunder towards us. "Hmph." Mr Johnson grunts, "Not as stupid as you look. Now get your hood back on. Quick."

Kara darts for her cloak, but ends up diving behind the boxes, obscured from the entrance she presses herself flat against them, as Ash barges into the room, throwing his net... right over me.

The heavy weights knock back a step and force me to my knees for a moment, before I pick myself back up. "Ho Leon, sorry about that." He calls, a weak grin on his face as the guards thunder into the doorway behind him.

"The matter has been resolved." The spook informs him. "For now at least. Send word to Arling if anything of similar nature happens in the next few weeks. But..." He glances at me, "I think the issue has been resolved. No more giant rabbits running amok in the wild."

Ash grins appreciatively. "You've done the people of our county a great service, I assure." He half laughs. "Thank you, good masters Johnson and Scarlow." He gives a little bow, "Not that you likely care much of course." He adds. "Your pay awaits at the castle, of course."

Mr Johnson nods, strutting out silently. "Oh, and Leon, give that girl your cloak. She looks... cold." He adds, gesturing at the hidden Kara.

I drape my own cloak over the girl for now, picking hers up from the bed, as everyone trudges for the surface.

Kara walks rather close to me as we make our way uphill, wrapping herself tight in my cloak. “This smells nice.” She mentions, yawning loudly. “I don’t know what the smell is, but it’s… comforting.” She butts her head against my arm. “Thanks Leon.”

>So, who exactly is this Letuh guy?
>You’re okay with staying longer?
>Anytime Kara.
>Hug her.
>Write in

I suppose that the two were rather close, and the brooches are similar to engagement rings

>>43931665
>>Kiss her forehead.

>>43931665
>Anytime Kara.

>>43931665
>So who exactly is this Letuh guy?

I kind of have an idea, but...

>>43931665
>Anytime Kara.
>You’re okay with staying longer?
>So, who exactly is this Letuh guy? It's fine if you don't exactly want to say anything.

>>43931665
>Anytime Kara.
>Hug her.

>>43931665
>You’re okay with staying longer?

>>43931665
>You’re okay with staying longer?
>Anytime Kara.
>Hug her.

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I shrug, “Any time Kara. Don’t worry about it.”

She glances up at me, her eyes twinkling, and a single snowy white hair shining in her brow as we emerge into the last of the daylight.

I point to it, smiling a little, “I think your winter coat is coming in early.” I tell her.

She looks at me curiously, before going cross eyed a little, noticing the hair. “Oh, finally!” She smiles, “Now I don’t have to feel like I’m freezing every day.” She rubs her arms a little, “This place is ridiculous! The people are scary and mean, the weather is frigid, everything’s dirty and made of metal, and everyone eats meat…” She glances around, as the others rounds a bend, “And I’m glad I stayed.” She does a little hop, briefly pressing her lips to my upper cheek for a moment, before resuming her walk. “I hope they have more of those potato and leek pies tonight.” She mentions cheerfully, as if that was nothing. “You should have one now that the job’s done. You’re fast is over now, right?”

I rub the spot on my cheek, “Uh. Yeah, it should be. I think.” I mumble. Why are my hands shaking? Why am I sweating?

She walks back up the line to discuss something with Mr Johnson, while Ashwyn falls back to talk to me. “Leon! To a job well done!” He drinks from his flask again. “You’re a smart one boy.” He chuckles, “And more fun to talk to than these dour old codgers. Rum?” He presses it into my hands, grinning to me. “When we get back to the castle, stick with me. I know a secret way into the ale shed.” He nudges me in the shoulder, “It’s a very private spot to, I might add.” He includes, his eyes drifting to Kara’s back, cracking another grin. “The job’s done, time to get drunk with friends on the Lord’s coin, no?”

>Thanks Ash, sounds fun.
>I think I’m alright.
>Friends? It’s only been a day.
>Write in

>>43932401
>I think I’m alright.

>>43932401
>Write in

We'll see if Master Johnson is going to be loitering for a bit, I am still an apprentice after all.

>>43932401
>>Thanks Ash, sounds fun.

>>43932401
>I think I’m alright.

>>43932401
>Write in
"I appreciate the offer, but an apprentice's job is never done. I'll have to see if Mr. Johnson will let us loiter or if he wants us back on the road immediately."
Keep the rejection polite. No need to be rude.

>>43932401
>Thanks Ash, sounds fun.

>>43932456
>>43932514
You're going to let him try to get Kara drunk even after what we learned from the servants?

>>43932572
>>43932514
>>43932456
He flat-out just said he wants to get her drunk and rape her. There is not way this wont turn out horribly.

>>43932596
The nudge was for us to play in the hay with Kara, a drunk party with the guys is not place for a girl.

>>43932626
He is planning on bringing Kara and getting her drunk. Is it that difficult for you to understand what Ash is implying?

Maybe you need Chuckles to spell it out for you.

>>43932401
>I think I’m alright

>>43932596
>>43932620
>>43932666
it was more meant as "Just so you know, if you need it"

>>43932401
>I think I'm alright.

I didn't even notice until you mentioned it. God, am I an autist.

>>43932740
With what we were told what Ash is like and the things he's done to the serving girls, as well as his repeated attempts to flirt with Kara and get her in bed, another attempt to woo her and ply her with alcohol seems pretty likely.

>>43932740
Thanks for spelling it out, I'm glad I was able to properly interpret the social cues.

>>43932772
Actually. The other guy is the autist. Or paranoid.
See:>>43932740

>Spook: "See, I told you to not trust women. Look at what happened to him"

>>43932808
Yes, and? As much as you want it to, drunk sex is still not rape.

Also I'm pretty sure he got that we have first dips.

>>43932740
While he might be a bro, Chuckles, how do you think Leon would know more then us?

>>43932919
The serving girls suggest otherwise. Hopefully they're wrong.

He's a flirtatious squire guys, not Rance

And the first shitstorm of the quest begins.

>>43932967
They suggest that he is grabby, not rapey. As in he likes touching butt without asking first. Incidentally doesn't count, legally, as harassment.

>>43932401
>>I think I’m alright.
>My Master probably want to leave early, too. Thanks for the offer, though.

>>43932401
>Thanks Ash, sounds fun.

>>43932401
>>Write in
We should totally go loot that mattress , friend.

>>43932951
>Also I'm pretty sure he got that we have first dips.
Yeah, seemed more like he was dropping an unsubtle hint for Leon than trying to get some himself.

>>43932808
So? Threesome time!

I hand the flask back, “Thanks Ash, but I think I’m alright. Besides, Mr Johnson may well want us to get back on the road as soon as possible.”

Ash waves me off, “Psshh, Leon, it’s nearing six past noon, I doubt he’ll be wanting to march through the night when he can have a featherbed and free food.”

Sure enough, “Leon!” Mr Johnson calls back, “Feel free to have a sleep in tomorrow morning. Tonight we reap our rewards, courtesy of the young squire here.” From the slight hiccup at the end, I’m guessing Ash already gave my master a sip of the rum as well.

The squire shoots me a sly wink, “Well, I shan’t force you to spend time with me if you don’t wish.” He claps me on the back and shoves me forward a step. “I’m sure you have other things to fill your time with.” He snickers, “But, if I ever pass through Arling, I may just stop by for a chat.” He flicks his hair out of his eyes, “I don’t see why people have such an aversion to spooks. You’ve got character. Like the old man, he’s grumpy, but professional, and you know how to turn down an offer without spitting in my face.” He gives me one last pat, “The guards usually just tell me to piss off and talk to the nobles, and most of the nobles stare down their noses at me until I leave.” He shoots me one last wink before he steps up to talk to Bruce again, leaving me to walk on my own at the back.

The gate is raised, with Ashwyn stepping forward and delivering a sweeping bow to no one in particular to the empty courtyard, “Gentlemen and ladies of the court, the menace has been ended, thanks in dear part to our friends Johnson, Scarlow and Mellerud.” He calls.

“Shove it up your arse Ash.” A guard calls, a sour expression crossing the squire's face.

The rest of the guards disperse, heading to the barracks to eat with their own, Ash sends a servant to the kitchens for us, the spook, Kara and I sit. Ashwyn stares at the remaining fourth chair a moment too long, but sweeps out of the room, bidding us a good meal.

I try one of the leek pies Kara mentioned, my eyes rolling back as I taste it. Buttery and sweet, seasoned perfectly with flaky crumbs.... Before the spook and I tuck into a decent helping of lamb shanks, cooked in a sweet smokey sauce, the spook picks his up and chews the bone clean, sinew and all, before finally letting out a satisfied belch.

“Well. I’m old, and thus need a good night’s sleep after a hard day’s work.” He sighs, pushing himself to his feet. “Good work today boy.” He grunts on the way to the door, clutching his near overfilled belly. “Oh, and girl… good work on not being stupid like your friend.”

“He’s not my frien-” The spook shuts the door behind him mid word a hint of a smile on his lips, Kara rolling her eyes. “Well? Are you tired too?” She asks.

>Dead tired.
>Well, there’s a secret way into the ale shed…
>Did Ash seem lonely to you?
>Write in

>>43933823
Great. we missed making a politically connected friend because of autists.

>>43933841
>Did Ash seem lonely to you?
I do feel kind of bad for him, and making friends with a squire wouldn't hurt in the long run.

>>43933841
>Write in

Nope I am not, anything you want to do? If not then we might as well take Ash up on his offer. Don't know when the next chance to relax will be.

>>43933841
>Write in
Oh, damn, there's still the chest that Letuh had that we kept the guards from opening. Let's go back there and get it before any of the guards get the idea to do some personal looting.

>>43933841
>>Well, there’s a secret way into the ale shed…

>>43933841
>Did Ash seem lonely to you?

Grab Ash and loot the treasure chest.

>>43933878

He is still friendly, and beside he just said he wasn't really politicaly connected.

>>43933841
>A bit tired, but I had worse
>Did Ash seem lonely to you?

I purse my lips, “Did Ash seem… lonely to you?” I ask her.

She shrugs, “I guess so? More so than the other humans anyway.” She picks up a pear, biting into it. “He reminds of Luteh in a way… A warrior with something to prove.” Her eyes flick up, “You wanted to go see Ashwyn then?”

I shrug back, “Seems the decent thing to do.”

We go slipping into the castle halls, following a trail of ever increasingly lavish decorations, we figure we must be getting closer to the noble’s quarters, not entirely sure that we’re allowed to be here. Tapestries of Lord Reaumond and his family line the walls every so often, the Lord himself soft looking, an accountant lord more concerned with taxes than leadership my father always said, and with him his stern looking wife. Behind a pair of children, the lord’s son, dark haired and strong jawed, and the blonde daughter, Ash’s object of desire according to the washerwoman, the girl apparently never leaving her room after her mother's death.

Kara drags me on, claiming to have heard Ash’s voice, she points to a small door. I knock and Ash calls us to enter.

We enter to a small room, brightly lit, sterile looking. The girl from the woods is sitting in an oversized bed half dozed, Ash reading to her from some book of fairy tales. “Ah. Leon, Kara… come to see our little patient?” He asks. “Little Linda here should be back on her feet in a week.” He assures us, “Sooner than we thought, as her parents will be glad to know tomorrow.” He sets the book down as the girl’s eyes shut properly, guiding us to the hall. “Nice to have someone to talk too.” He chuckles, shutting the door gently behind him, “Something you two wanted?”

Kara looks to me, so I fill the silence, “We… just wanted to know if you wanted to pass some time with us, since we have a late start.”

He raises a brow. “Oh? And what I would be doing as the third member of this little party?”

>Want to get drunk?
>Remember that chest back in the tunnels?
>Write in

>>43933878
>a politically connected friend
He seems to be soundly disliked by the servants, the commoners, and the nobles.
He doesn't seem to be very connected, as his power is solely from what his lord gives him.

>>43934306
>Remember that chest back in the tunnels?
I'm sure that Kara would like the brooches, though.

>>43934306
>>Remember that chest back in the tunnels?

>>43934306
>Remember that chest back in the tunnels?

>>43934379

Fuck no

>>43934306
>>Remember that chest back in the tunnels?

>>43934306
>Remember that chest back in the tunnels?

"Remember that chest back in the tunnels?" I suggest. "Could go see what's inside that, no?"

He cracks a grin at that, "Aha! I like the way you think!" He glances back over his shoulder, hushing his voice for the sleeping child, "One last adventure for the day, no?"

He fetches a torch and his sword, slipping us out through the half demolished walls of the castle rather than the main gate. I clutch my staff close and keep a hand near my salt... can't be TOO off guard, walking through the woods at night.

Kara's ears twitch to every night sound, jumping a few times as owl's hoot over head, the third time she grabs at my arm for reassurance... her hand is tiny, and warm.

Ash forges a path, finding the exit we found from the tunnel not too far from the bedroom, we descend, Ash talking of magic swords and lost artefacts, wondering what treasures we'll find, his optimism even stirring a little in me.

We find the room again, and Ash snaps his fingers, tossing the box with the brooches to me. "For you to present as a gift to a certain someone." He mutters before taking a closer look.

"This looks..." He thumbs a bashed off piece of wood. "This is the Reaumont seal." He realises. "He stole this from the castle. But who?"

He glances around, before whipping my staff out of my grip and using the heavy end to bash the last bit of the lock off, before handing the oak back.

Kara takes the torch as Ash dives into it, coming out with a corset, eyebrows shooting up as he inspects it, "This is... Lady Emmerlins." His cheeks hue pink in the light a little, Reaumont's daughter. "I shouldn't snoop, but...." His hand dives back in, this time resurfacing with a few neatly folded, opened letters.

He hands one off to me after giving it a scan. "Rather darkly amusing." He snorts.

I run my eyes over it, "Emmerlin, I hear that Lady Tarlin in Oendal recommends her husband takes only the youngest squires into his service. The younger the better, so young as twelve, with voices barely broken, some hear her say, one wonders what reasons she has for recruiting such young boys into her home? How marvellously scandalous. Yours, Taylor."

"I don't get it." Kara comments.

Ash snorts and pats her shoulder, "Maybe some day little one. And be glad Lady Tarlin doesn't like young girls, pretty thing like you."

"I'm sixteen!" Kara pouts, as Ash digs through more, passing off an emerald necklace to me. "Emmerlin claims she's outgrown emeralds now, despises them. Feel free to take it, she has five more like it." He fishes another letter out, “Aha! More gossip!” He smacks the letter, reading it aloud. “Dearest Bruce, I spend many the long night, womanhood yearning to be stained again with the colour of…” Ash trails off, crumpling the letter as his face turns dark. “Never mind.” He growls, tossing it into the torch flames.

“What’s colour?” Kara asks, nudging me. “And isn’t Bruce one of the guards that was with you?”

Ash kicks the chest over in a silent rage, sending trinkets scattering. “Take what you like.” He sighs. “I have to go tell Emmerlin someone has been forging notes of hers. Discrediting her. That's what this is. Slander.”

>In fairness, you flirt with every girl you see.
>Let him go
>You’ll regret that if you do!
>Write in

>>43935047
>>You’ll regret that if you do!

I'm just saying you may want to sleep on it.

>>43935047
>You’ll regret that if you do!
Ouch, that's a tough break.

Just a thought, obviously not something to bring up now, but once he's had some time to get over this bad news...

You know who he might get along well with, the pirate girl Alison. They're both loud, hyperactive and want to live a life of excitement and adventure. Might hit it off.

>>43935125
>>43935135
I'm pretty sure it's a threat guys not a piece of advise

>>43935047
>>Write in
Be careful. She may not appreciate being told such things, and her father may want to silence loose ends.

>>43935047
>In fairness, you flirt with every girl you see.
Also ten bucks says Lady Tarlin is a witch who sacrifices the squires for dark rituals

>>43935214
no its meant to be advise

>>43935214
No it's not, it's warning him for his own good not to rush back to Emmerlin and wave a letter she probably wrote in her face claiming it's fake and someone's trying to slander her.

>>43935208
Stop breaking up my fictional harem.

>>43935244
Then what's with the exclamation point?

>>43935047
>You’ll regret that if you do!

>>43935234
Twenty bucks say she just likes young dick.

>>43935269
Leon seems a tad spaghettitastic to juggle multiple women.

>>43935318
Stop wrecking my fantasies, it's turning me on.

>>43935318
so did Danny, and look how that turned out

>>43935354
So wait, if wrecking your fantasies turns you on, then if I stop, won't that in turn wreck your fantasy thereby turning you on?

>>43935397
Leon doesn't have a Claire.

>>43935415
Let's have retards together.

>>43935047
>What's color?

Wait, Kara's colorblind?

I block his way out, "Ash. Look. I might not be good with this stuff, but even I know that you'll regret doing that."

He frowns, rolling his jaw back and forth. “That rabbit thing! It planted the letter, it’s trying to tear the Reaumont family apart, sow chaos, that’s why it broke down the castle walls- and- and attacking little girls- and-” I slap him across the face, “Bitch!” He hisses indignantly, clutching his cheek.

I stare him dead in the eye. “Ash, just calm down and give it some time, alright?”

Kara grabs his arm as well, having picked up the meaning. “Barging into her room in the middle of the night is a bad idea. They might be colouring right now.” She glances to me, “Is colouring the right wor-?”

I shush her, wrapping an arm around Ash’s ribs and handing the necklace off to Kara to hold. “That’s rough Ash, I’m sorry you had to read that. But if you, just a squire, go barging into her room in the middle of the night, accusing her of… colouring with a guard, you’ll be the laughing stock more than her.”

Ash frowns, picking the torch up, he twirls the flames in a figure eight. “More than likely.” He sighs, “Not to mention Lord Reaumond would likely bar me from his house.” He rests his forehead in his palm for a moment. “Alright, too much rum today, my temper was high. I’ve calmed now.” He pats me between the shoulders again, “But I’m going to make life hell for a certain guardsmen, that’s for sure.” He cracks a grin underneath wet eyes, “Bruce is going to be on drill training every day for the rest of the year.”

“That’s the spirit!” Kara cheers, giving him a little side hug, before moving to sit with me atop a crate, plucking an uneaten apple from the floor.

“Keep eating like that and you’ll get fat.” Ash warns her with a laugh, “Not that you can tell under that cloak you always wear.” He tries to wink and fails, “Maybe someday we’ll see what you’ve hidden under it.”

Kara leans against me and eats noisily, ignoring his comment.

>>43935450
He can't give people powers either.

We past the time until the torch nearly gutters out in silence, before making our way back to the castle. Come the next day, Ash is the only member of the house to see us off, clapping a bag full of coin into Mr Johnson’s hands. “An additional thirty percent has been added.” He tells Mr Johnson. “Because I like you.”

The spook grunts without comment and starts off down the road, while Kara and I bid him good day, spotting the unlucky guardsmen performing drills in full armour and a heavy anti cavalry spear. “If I ever come by Arling, I’ll be sure to pay a visit.” Ash promises, holding his hand out to me, “Ruin the love of your life while I’m at it, eh?” He laughs good naturedly, the hurt only showing in his eyes.

I quickly shake his hand, and Kara gives him a proper hug, before we hurry to catch back up to the spook.

Got a long walk home.

End of Spook Quest #5

Thanks for the thread, Chuckles.

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shits archived

did everyone have safe clean fun?

>>43935840
Thanks for running, Chucks.

Also, are Lapines colorblind?

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>>43935914

>>43935918
its a olde timey euphemism. 'colour' means cum as in colour me white

Thanks for running!

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I also have bun pictures!

does kara have a tail or not?

>>43936147
Leon might have to find out

but if she did, hypothetically, it would be fluffy, would it not?

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>>43936191
>fluffy

Then I guess we all know what we have to do.