Blackburn's Crossing Chapter 4: Snake Eater

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Leaving the Von Brekker house, Bernard walked with Arissa towards Marsh House. He stopped for a moment once they were alone and turned to her, "Arissa, I meant what I said; I'm always here for you. I know that night weighs on you, what can I do for you?" He reaches to give her a hug then continues to lead her to Marsh House, hoping he could help ease her mind.
 
Blackburn Manor:

"You'd need wings!" says Aluc as she flaps her wings twice as if to emphasize the point. Violette nods to the points being made. "I guess we should head over there and keep an eye out for it."

Grimdosh comes down the stairs and offers yelcan a bag with his name on it, and then Peri a bag with Arissa's name on it. "Payment for Arissa," says Grimdosh as he stands about. "Grimdosh, let James know when he gets a chance that we went over to the Marsh's house to meet up," said Violette waving to Grimdosh. Slowly Grimdosh waves back. Assuming all are in agreement the group heads out to Marsh House.

After traveling the streets, Violette talks about how being surrounded by a swamp must actually be a bit of a positive thing because at least you don't have bandits raiding along the roads. Before too long you arrive, at the Marsh House, just as it was left. Empty, but still managing to hold onto some of it's charm. As the group is entering Bernard and Arissa come around to the front as well. "Looks like we got here just in time," says Violette.
 
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As he approached the front of the house with Arissa, Bernard noticed the large group from the manor. "Well, isn't this quite the crew? Yelcan, Violette, did you have any luck with your research? I can tell you there are no books on snakes in Marsh House, only books of Ezra. Kallisto, good afternoon, how are you doing? And Peri, I hope you're doing well, I'm glad to see you surrounded by friends. What have you been doing with your day?" He grins, taking a look at Arissa with a smile before adding, "I heard Arissa made breakfast for you, how was it?"
 
Kallisto smiled as she rubbed under Aluc's beak, "Yes, silly. That's why I'm asking you. Only if you're willing though, of course."

Hearing Violette speak about bandits Kallisto thought back to the pirates. "I ... would maybe not say it like that. Just because we don't really have roads doesn't mean we still don't get attacked." She glanced behind the group towards the manor, "Many still feel the losses from the pirate attack ... while we don't have roads, we do have the river to worry about. The swamp brings it's own troubles."

Catching sight of Bernard, Kallisto bowed her head slightly in his direction, "Hello again Bernard -- we're actually returning from the manor ... I think we've got enough information on the serpent ... it's time to get everyone on the same page, though Leon and James will maybe join later."
 
Bernard opened the door to Marsh House welcoming everyone in. "Let's get inside. I'll make some tea, then we can discuss what you've discovered. Arissa and I have also learned things today that should be shared." His smile weakens as he thinks to their earlier conversation. "Well Violette, perhaps you'll get that dinner at Marsh House before Merris returns after all. I take it you'll be aiding us in the snake hunt?"
 
Marsh House:

"To be fair Yelcan probably should get the credit hes the one that found the most interesting parts in the books, I just brought him what he needed and attempted to not fall asleep like James," says Violette laughing softly. "I was planning on joining you unless that is a problem." She seems to be probing with the statement, before switching back to respond to Kallisto. "Yeah we have pirates too though, they are a bit more... precise in their attacks. You're town actually reminds me quiet a bit of Pont-A-Museau, including the mansion in the middle of the river."
 
Arissa smiles as well to the approaching group, but it fades when Bernard mentions what she had learned. She forces a grin. “Was there an after party at the Manor that Bernard and I were not aware of? It is good to see all of you.” Arissa glances at Peri and felt a pang of guilt as she came to a realization. I had hoped not to be sharing this knowledge so soon... Perian does not even know of Jonathan’s condition as of yet. She forces herself to look away and turns to Violette with a teasing smile. “It would be a pleasure to finally get to see you in action. I had hoped to see your skill yesterday, but unfortunately it seems that both battles had ended before you could join. I know that I would be grateful to have you at our side in dealing with the land’s pest problems.” Arissa maintained a friendly smile, but still felt weary of the woman. I would also prefer to be able to keep an eye on her... there is something that I simply do not trust about the Reiner family.
 
Bernard grinned, "Of course you're welcome to join us Violette, just remember my family's sigil is an eagle not a falcon." He chuckled and added, "James speaks highly of you and this Great Serpent seems to be quite the dangerous beast." He moved through the entry way, pointing everyone into the living room before retreating to the kitchen to set a pot of tea, as he left he added, "Peri, would you mind helping me with some tea for our guests?"
 
Marsh House:

"Some people were fairly up late into the night, after the event but no after party that I know of," says Violette smiling over at Arissa. "I will be glad to help, I think James over estimates my skill. He's probably not the best person to evaluate personal skill though I will not say no to someone singing my praises."

Violette nodded to Bernard. "I am well aware that our two countries are in an alliance, otherwise I'm afraid my family may not have allowed me to come to your beautiful country," said Violette moving about the place looking curiously at different things around the house.
 
Peri nods and smiles at Bear staying quiet as they move inside. Straying from Yelcan hesitantly she follows Bear into the kitchen. Peri free’s Lina from her pocket and barrels into him with a tight hug.

“It’s been a really long morning Bear.” Just seeing him again she felt relieved her eyes tearing a bit. “Lina is better, I think we have good news about Momma. Lina says Flora had been released from Isaiah’s influence and was headed north. She also said Isaiah had promised to come get Momma when he was done. She may be waiting, though I worry about this Mr. Frog Lina speaks of, but it seems he is not too dangerous yet.”
 
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Bernard returned the hug in kind and released his sister, collecting the teapot. "That's good. I hope to get the chance to speak with Lina later, though probably when there are not so many guests." He smiles briefly but it fades quickly. "Peri, I know things have been chaos and things seem bleak. I'm sorry that I couldn't do more in the fight to keep you safe. We will find mother and bring her home, but there is trouble here as well. Jonathan is not doing well, he is dying. Archibald could not heal him and my healing is even less powerful." He placed the pot of water on the stove and turned to face Peri. "I am doing my best to find a way to save him, but if I fail.... You should go see him before you can't. He's strong and he'll fight until the end, I have time to figure this out." He reached out, embracing Peri again, predicting her need for comfort. "I didn't want you to find out too late or to have to handle this news in front of the others. I know you were always close. He was always such a good friend."
 
Léone stifles a yawn as she and James head out of the room after their nap, before getting flagged down by Grimdosh and told that the rest of the group was meeting up at the Marsh House. She looks to James and shrugs. "Guess we ought to head over, eh? Don't want to be too late to the party."

She slings her bag over her shoulder and they exit the manor, soon finding themselves at the front of the Marsh house. She walks up to the door and gently knocks twice, waiting for a response.
 
Arissa is distracted from Violette’s idle chatter as she watches Bernard and Peri walk into the kitchen. Gods, I hope he is not telling her now... I suppose Bernard knows her better than anyone. I should trust him to handle this... Arissa glances over to Yelcan, somewhat relieved to see that Peri had a friend close at hand that she would not soon hate.

Arissa’s thoughts are interrupted by a knocking at the door, and she shakes her head as she walks over to answer it. Arissa opens the door and smiles and gives Léone a hug before curtsying to James. “Léone and James, it is good to see both of you survived the rest of the night without further peril. I am afraid I did not have the opportunity to give my congratulations last night on the engagement... although I must admit I might have managed to pry the secret from Léone before the announcement. Come, join us. Bernard and Perian may be a moment, but I believe we are to begin planning soon.” Arissa steps back into the house and sweeeps an arm out inviting the pair in.
 
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“Bear you are doing everything you can I know that, there is more about Isaiah’s plans..” Peri stopped speaking a moment as he brought up Jonothan.

“Bear that’s not funny, Jonothan was fine I saw him at the ball.” Her voice was frustrated and angry. As he pulled her into more of a hug tears flooded out of her eyes as she repeated into his chest, that it wasn’t funny. Knowing full well he wasn’t joking but wasn’t it but a cruel joke.

Peeling herself away she shoved against him. “No, Bear no!” She yelled at him not caring if the others heard. Holding up her finger at him she pointed hands shaking. “He isn’t dying, he is going to be a better smith than his mother ever was and he is going to revolutionize the world with his metal pellet launching contraptions.”

Her whole body trembled at the anger and despair that wracked through her. The muscles in her throat contracting against her voice box she couldn’t breath enough to to more than squeak at him. “Why?!” She squeaks our desperately.
 
Bernard reached for Peri again. "I know sister, I know. I promise I will do everything I can to make sure Jonathan is alright. I'm sorry that this news is so poorly timed, but if I'd held my tongue and you'd missed your chance, would you have ever forgiven me?" The question was rhetorical, he knew she would but it would take a very long time. "I know it's not fair, but we have to be strong for him."
 
Léone smiles at Arissa, taking the hug warmly. "It's no problem, really. I'm just glad everyone is safe after last night - though it feels like forever ago at this point.." She releases the hug and nods confidently with a chuckle. "I hope we're not too late to the party, I'd hate to miss any important business you guys had." She slowly follows Arissa inside the house.
 
Peri wrenched hard against Bernard’s grasp but couldn’t dislodge. “Let me go!” she snapped at him. His tight hold and warmth enveloped her again and in her head she was screaming at him. Hands shaking and palms tapping against her temples .

Her full weight on Bear she brings them to the ground dampening his shirt with many tears. Though it seems to take a few minutes of consoling the trembling slows and Peri just stares blankly and silently her cheek and ear pressed to Bear’s heart. As she listens to his heart getting hers to calm and match.
 
Marsh House:

James looks questioningly at the people gathered near by, and Violette just shrugs. "Don't look at me," she says before crossing her arms. James walks towards the kitchen for a moment to peek in on the scene and not seeing any immediate danger he nods before moving back to the main room and shakes his head. "Well, I wish I could say I was glad to be back visiting right now, but seems I have the worst luck," says James as he walks back over to Leone's side. "We'll need to give them a few minutes I think before starting."
 
As Peri struggled and fought in his arms Bernard closed his eyes and hummed, an old tune that his father used to hum as well. He carefully held her arms so she did not injure herself, and kept her close so she did not get away. He did not notice James peek into the kitchen but focused on Peri until after several minutes she finally broke down crying. Loosening his hold, he rubbed her head, "Shhh, Peri, I know. It'll be ok." He continued to hold her as the teapot began to whistle.

With one hand he reached over removing the pot from the stove. "Come Peri, share a cup of tea with your friends. I am sure they are all here for you, just as I am. In the morning we will go see Jonathan, you and I. But this evening, you should spend time with your friends and family, and rest."

He smiled and leaned in to Peri's ear, whispering, "Besides, it's not all bad news... I proposed to Arissa today and she said yes." Bernard gave Peri a small kiss on her temple. "I promise it'll be ok. Come have some tea." He let her go, waiting to see if she would flee.
 
???

Thomas strode through the streets with a purpose to his step as he walked along the docks. He watched the ships loading as he walked by and most of the people getting off for the day. He stopped near a crate and knocked firmly on the wood startling a man with a bit more color in his hair. "What did I tell you about-- oh Thomas," says the man quickly gaining his bearings. The man grins widely realization coming over his face. "So here to loose your coin already? I thought retirement gave you extra time to do things, like get your life in order, and do all the things you wish you could do when you had responsibilities."

"I do have responsibilities, they've just changed," says Thomas clicking the pile of gold coins by lifting the pile and letting them fall back into his hand. Marcus' eyes watched the gold for a moment before he put a hand behind Thomas starting to lead him away but Thomas didn't budge shaking his head. "Not this time Marcus, we are going to play with some old friends."

"Oh? I hope you're not trying to fleech me with people that play better cards than you," said Marcus suspiciously. Thomas shook his head and mimicked the motion Marcus had just done pressing his way beyond the docks.

"Not at all, though I do request you don't cheat with those twos you keep up your sleeve," said Thomas to which Marcus choked for a moment and Thomas grinned. "I've known for awhile, my luck isn't that bad but I figured you could use the extra money for you're girl so I let it slide. You should really know better than to try and cheat a lawman Marcus."

Marcus after the initial shock laughed aloud slapping Thomas on the back roughly. "Alright so where we headed?" asked Marcus to which Thomas pointed towards the Roaring Rapids. "Huh, thinking about trying you're luck against a few captains in port?"

Thomas shook his head. "Nothing of the sort, going to introduce Simon to the man who kept his ear to the river when it comes to the docks, and how gambling can be a good way to pass the time. That and I invited Crooks," said Thomas, as they arrived at the front of the tavern.

"Crooks? That the little guy with the crooked nose?" asked Marcus scratching his head trying to remember. Thomas grinned nodding. "Aye that be him, if you can try to slip in that he's a gnome and he might flash his hand, who knows."

Thomas shrugs before pushing into the Roaring Rapids. "Simon there you are! Ran a little late catching up with an old friend I'd like you to meet...." says Thomas as their night starts to kick into gear.
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Einhorn Haus:

Annabelle held the wooden sword in her hand looking down at it before turning back to Jonathan. "Truthslayer if I recall correctly," says Annabelle obviously thinking the name was ridiculous. "I remember I used to hate this thing. You went every where with it for awhile claiming that you were going to be a knight to save a princess of a far away land one day."

"Ha, I think you hated it because it was the cause of many bruises," says Jonathan laughing softly as he adjusted a pillow behind his back. "i think you should keep it since I owe you a sword anyways."

Annabelle turns to Jonathan with an incredulous look on her face. "En garde evil vampire! I have come to stop your dastardly ways and win the admiration of the people you oppress! Unhand my love or face the tip of my sword, Truthslayer!" says Annabelle with a playful thrust towards Jonathan. He smirkes recoiling from sword.

"How could you know my only weakness! To be stabbed with a wooden sword would so end my existence! Take her and begone, I will bother you no longer!" says Jonathan hissing before he laughed along with Annabelle at his own ridiculous 'evil' voice. "Anyways, I really mean that. Take Truthslayer."

Annabelle frowned looking at the sword before placing it through her belt and kneeling by Jonathan's bed side. "Why did you do it Jon?" asked Annabelle her voice now serious.

"Everyone's got to die sometime, why not go the route of self sacrifice? Worse ways to die," said Jonathan speaking boldly. Annabelle shook her head, her golden hair falling down in front of her face.

"I mean the question in earnest Jon. Why did you do it? Was there a reason or was it a whim?" asked Annabelle once again ignoring Jonathan's attempts to deflect with humor. She reaches forward and grabs his hand. When he squeezes back she feels how weak the grip is, but there is still a smile on his face. 'Stupid Jonathan.... he can't even take his own death seriously.'

"Anne, you need to ask for help," said Jonathan suddenly.

Taken aback by the statement Annabelle lets go of his hands, and stares confused into his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Jonathan laugh brings him to a cough before he shakes his head. "Anne, you're not as sneaky as you think yourself to be. There's no way you missed the Ball to spend a quiet evening at home. I know you're working on something, or investigating something. You've not really stopped by much since after the pirate attack. I know about your mother, and how she died but you can't do this by yourself," says Jonathan now him with the searching eyes. "Does your dad know?"

"I don't know what your talking about Jonathan," says Annabelle defensively starting to stand up but Jonathan has a sudden surge of strength grabbing her hand.

"No, Anne. You tell your father or you tell someone, you promise me or so help me I'll get out of this bed and go find him myself," says Jonathan firmly. Annabelle shook her head. "You wouldn't make it past the front door."

"Try me, Anne."

They held each other's gaze watching each other as if they had both turned to statues. Finally Annabelle crosses her arms in front of her. "Fine Jonathan I will tell someone," says Annabelle.

"And ask their help," corrected Jonathan.

"And ask their help...." muttered Annabelle. Jonathan seemed to beam for a moment of triumph before he deflated a bit. Annabelle sat in a chair growing distant as she thought about something. Jonathan spoke up suddenly. "There was a reason. I knew no matter how hard I trained I wasn't going to be a knight, and I'd grown to accept that. Then I meet someone who is striving to protect those they love, and I can't help but notice they've a noble goal but they are afraid to love themselves and they proceed to make poor choices. I've made plenty myself but when she takes me into her confidence to tell me what she plans and I know it's going to end horribly... I just couldn't let that happen. So I went, partly for myself but also partly for her. Papa Legba showed me what it would be like if my brother had lived..."

Annabelle didn't speak but at the mention of Papa Legba's cruel display of showing him a life he could never see she recoiled almost as if the blow had been meant for her. Jonathan shakes his head. "I think he pitied me somehow... there was nothing in his eyes or face to give it away but I knew as a deal maker I had the leverage of having the most to give. So when Legba asked me what I wanted, it was a fairly easy decision. I wanted the person who was going to ruin their life by dealing with him to get a free pass. An escape, and maybe it would give her enough time to realize the people around her care for her, and maybe she'd find happiness."

Jonathan had a tear fall down his face as he smiled through his explanation. He looks to Annabelle with one of his wide grins. "I guess I didn't save a Princess, but I can settle with a Baroness."
 
“I don’t want any tea, I don’t want anything. I” she sighs pulling away and scrambling up. To see Arissa standing by the door. “Congratulations.” She chokes Pushing past Arissa as the tears began again.

As she moved down the hall she saw all the others gathered, throwing her arm up to hide her face she ducked back into her mothers room and slammed the door. Next a soft thud and sliding sound as she slid down the door onto the floor again hugging her knees.
 
Bernard collected the teapot and cups and entered the living room. As he passed Arissa, he only said, "She'll be fine. Leave her be." He began passing out cups, "Jonathan is dying. Peri's upset. What are we all here for then?" His tone was not harsh, but tired. He seemed to be done with the day and with bad news, but he knew he needed to keep going. He looked around the room, wondering who might speak first.
 
Marsh House:

Beneath the door frame where Peri sat there was the sound of grunting and struggling for a second as someone slipped under the doorframe. Lina popped on out and then floated up a few feet noticing Peri she looked around for a moment wings slightly less vigorous. "I can try and let you temporarily see Merris," says Lina waving her hands in the direction of the bed. She conjures up the illusion of Merris who sees Perian sad and comes over to try and comfort and hug her. Lina frowns gliding down to the bed, laying down on her stomach and resting two hands on her cheeks.
 
Gently Kallisto placed the teacup down -- once again she was concerned she might accidentally break it, such a small thing in her large hands. She glanced towards the slammed door, frowning as Aluc hopped down to the cup, dipping her beak into it out of curiosity before squawking and fluttering back from the heat of the drink. Taking Kallisto's offered arm she worked her way back onto her shoulder, rubbing her beak on Kallisto's shoulder to try and deal with the burnt tongue and throat the only way she could figure out.

Picking at her beaded bracer Kallisto looked over the gathering before her ... so many people that really, if they wanted, didn't have to involve themselves. Yet here they were. She rubbed the beads between her fingers as she rocked on her feet slightly, trying to decide where to start. Closing her eyes for a moment she took a deep breath before releasing it in a low growl of a sigh.

"Please know ... I truly appreciate each of you being here. Regardless of how things continue, it means much to me that you all are willing to help." Kallisto bowed her head towards the room for a few moments as she thought through the next thing she was going to say. No more secrets ... even though she was still unsure how she felt about it, the rest still needed to know how the serpent had become a known threat ... and why. The few times it had come up, she had avoided answering too specifically, even though she felt conflicted about it. Frowning slightly she thought back to what she had told Violette -- animals spoke true, it was people that twisted words.

Slowly she raised her head, taking another deep breath, a slightly scared expression on her face as she continued speaking. "A ... few have asked how we learned about the serpent in the swamps ... and I answered but didn't. A woman did come to ask for help, but she ... came looking for a specific person to ask. She came looking for me ... and she came from beyond the totems." Kallisto messed with her beaded bracer even more as her anxiety built, still feeling slightly sick. "Not all may understand what that means ... beyond the totems is ... a certain someone's territory, but also a tribe that lives in the swamps. The 'Children of Blood' ... a tribe of cannibals. The woman, Ialay ... she sought me out, calling me the tribe's 'Lost One' ... and she was right."

Shakily running a clawed hand through her hair, "I -- I don't ... know what all it means, I ... with everything else that has happened and been happening, I have tried to ... ignore it I suppose. Ialay said ... the reason she came searching for me was that ... according to their 'shaman', the 'bones' said I was destined to truly kill the serpent that has been plaguing them for generations." For the most part Kallisto had been looking down not fully meeting anyone's gaze, but now she raised her head. "After so many years of living here, even ... even with those who have not been pleasant, I -- I think of myself more a person of Blackburn's Crossing than anything else. But ... if I can help someone, I want to -- and ... if the serpent destroys the tribe, it would likely come -- no. I ..." Kallisto rubbed her eyes, thinking of her nightmare, "It will come to the Crossing, and it will be ... likely worse than Toben and his games."

Aluc started preening Kallisto's hair in an attempt to help calm her while Kallisto reached behind her back and unhooked the greataxe, its constant growl slightly raising in volume. Pelt still wrapped around the blade, the string of beads clacked slightly from the movement. The weapon was nearly Kallisto's height, handle rough and primitive, dark from the bloodstains of ages past, the outline of the blade could be seen from the tension of the pelt, like teeth, eager to rip and tear into something, destroying flesh with the edge, breaking bones with the weight behind its swing. "Some of you saw me use this during the Ball ... even though I had not arrived with it." She frowned slightly, recalling how it had appeared in her hands -- a weight she was almost relieved to have at the time. "I ... do not put much trust in words alone -- especially 'prophecies' and 'bones' -- titles and promises. When something has been given the title 'Undying One' and I'm asked to kill it ... I would rather it be permanent. Not a -- a temporary victory." Kallisto glanced towards Arissa and Bernard before continuing, "I ... sought out a way to make sure it will be permanent. It's been another question I've avoided answering truly ... but it's tied to a very important piece of defeating the serpent. The serpent's 'immortality' is tied to its soul ... it merely reforms again and again ..." she bared her teeth for a moment as the axe gave a louder mental growl, "This weapon ... devours souls, if it's able to give the killing blow. Which means I will have to deal the last strike, else we'll have to begin again. It will take mine too, when it's my time ... but things will be as they'll be. If I can remove the threat of the serpent, I do not mind." Kallisto looked towards the weapon with a sad smile, "From what I have learned lately, I at least have decided where I will go after my death."
 
Marsh House:

"So it is in the lands where Papa Legba has been found? I am weary of trusting anything upon those lands..." says James as he speaks up to the gathered people. "My family have records about strange happenings on the lands, and not just supernatural things coming from it, but the very land itself. It seems like it is part of the same over all swamp but the temperature does not match up to the seasons. When it is warm and hot here, there is a chill in the air there. When it is cold here there is a mild warmth in the lands beyond."

"As interesting as weather patterns are James, this doesn't help us with the snake problem though it does seem to indicate you should build a 'winter house' on the other side of the totems," said Violette playfully before turning back to Kallisto. "So that axe can kill the thing, and all we had to do is cut our way so that you can kill the thing. Sounds straight forward to me."
 
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