Blackburn's Crossing Chapter 4: Snake Eater

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Bernard watched Kallisto as she shared, wishing she'd just state the fiend's name. He would not appear unless something big was happening, but Bernard held his tongue, a slight look of disappointment. As James spoke Bernard shook his head and moved toward the center of the room, calling attention to himself. "When I was escorting Ialay back to her home, we had not crossed the totems when the Great Serpent attacked us. It is not just a problem in Legba's domain, but this side of the totems as well." He then turned to Violette, "It is not so simple as stabbing the thing until it dies. Kallisto has to deal the killing blow and the snake has powerful magics. We should not belittle this task, we are all at great risk hunting this beast. I am not one who runs from a fight, but I knew in my encounter that if I did not run I would die." Having said his piece he moved back to the wall, leaning against it and nodding for Kallisto to continue.
 
Peri does not smile upon the image of seeing her Mother, her pressing her face into her knees she sobbed and when the image embraced her the warmth of her mother was not there, but she turned into it anyways feeling it’s head rest atop hers and it’s hands rub her back.

“I wan’t to see you Momma, nothing is right here anymore.” She talked to the phantasm as if it could relay to her mother her pain. “Jonothan is dying, Papa is gone, Auntie and Uncle gone. For what? I can’t stop any of it, none of us have been able to stop any of it.”

Looking up as she feels the phantasm pull away she reaches out to it silently as it disappears, her sad red blotchy and raw face looks to Lina still frowning. “Thank you” she whispered and reburied her head in her arms.
 
While Bernard spoke Kallisto worked on placing the greataxe away, checking the pelt was still tied to it. She nodded as he finished, petting Aluc gently as she took another breath. "The past few days, I have asked for help -- this is not a creature I intend to ... underestimate. I asked Aluc to scout, along with other birds, to keep a lookout if the serpent were to approach town, or at the very least to potentially see where it tended to travel. This morning she told me she'd seen its nest -- unfortunately while we have a map, and a rough idea of what it's near, I still need to have Aluc show me where she found the nest so we can try to plan our route."

She picked at her beads, trying to recall everything she had learned -- spread between days and events ... "Aluc also brought word of something else that's concerning: the serpent supposedly birthed 'children'," she rubbed her eyes again, recalling her dream, "she's seen at least ten of them, and though I spoke with Van Richten this morning, he was unsure what they might be. His best suggestion was ... those the serpent had eaten were being changed."

Reaching for her pouch, intending to pull out the drawing, she forgot for a moment she had given it to Yelcan to aid his research. "When I showed him the drawing I had made of the creature, he said it looked like a 'Guardian Naga', though it seemed to be a hybrid between that type and a 'Spirit Naga'. According to him, that meant we'd likely have to deal with some sort of spell casting, which Yelcan's research suggested as well -- and resistance to being charmed. Seeing in the dark, as well, and able to spit poison from a distance."

She gestured towards Leon, "Before the Ball, Leon had also helped with researching the serpent, learning it might favor lakes and rivers, but also that it seemed tied to a group of people at some point. Van Richten explained Guardian Nagas protected groups and lands ... but if it was killed enough, it may have ... lost its mind in a sense. A guardian tasked to protect a people that might not even exist anymore ... stuck in the centuries," she shook her head.

Resting a hand on the greataxe behind her back, "When I went to get this weapon ... I learned the tribe in the swamps has dealt with the serpent for a long time. Nearly as long as they've been in the area. They ... I think bargained for their own type of guardian, but it's not able to truly protect them. It preys on them when they leave -- and I imagine a few people from the Crossing have stumbled across it before as well, but merely assumed lost to the swamps. Once they are gone, as I said, it would likely shift its attention here."

Kallisto bowed her head towards everyone in the room, "This is all far more than I can even attempt to do on my own, and even then without everyone else I would not know as much as I do. I have shared everything I've learned that I can recall, and there is much still to be decided and planned. We will likely have a few days journey out towards the serpent, assuming we do not get lost in the swamps. I cannot promise we will survive either ... Any suggestions, thoughts or strategies will be appreciated -- when it comes to magic, I still have very little idea how to deal with it. And ... if someone wishes not to go, I understand." Finished speaking, she kept her head lowered, having said all she could, out of the corner of her eye she glanced towards Merris' door, wondering when or if Perian would return.
 
Marsh House:

Violette smirks confidently over at Bernard. "I am well aware this won't be a boar hunt, and while the spell casting sounds trouble some, I am confident we will be triumphant," says Violette before looking over to the rest of everyone. "So it sounds like we'll need some supplies to send quiet a few days out there."

"I can cover those costs, though I'm worried the creature isn't smart enough to be lured into a trap, and we don't know the capabilities of these birthed creatures," says James in a contemplative pose. "Are they are easy to kill as normal people or are they something different. I can handle pirates well enough but something like this..."

Violette looks to James. "So you're intending to come along then?"

"I don't see why not, you'll need all the help you can get out there. If Leone's willing to risk her life on this so am I," says James firmly. Violette smiles amused at his answer. "I'm sure you two will make quiet the team," says Violette turning back to the main discussion. "We also need to set a time to set out on this, so that everyone knows when to be ready by."
 
Arissa watched Peri leave, her words sounding more like a well earned accusation to her than anything else. She wanted to follow, but knew that it would likely only make things worse at this point. She glanced over at Bernard briefly. This is not how I had hoped for this to happen... not here, not in front of everyone.

Arissa was silent throughout Kallisto’s presentation of knowledge, her eyes glancing periodically at the door where she knew Peri to be. At the mention of the ‘guardian’ of the cannibal tribe, Arissa recalls Ferrin’s brutal death at it’s hands. When Kallisto asked for questions and comments, she stood up and cleared her throat. “I am afraid that I have some knowledge on the subject of the tribe’s ‘guardian’ as you have called it... although I do not believe the word to be accurate.”

Arissa pauses before looking around the room. “As I believe many of you are aware, I have met with the fiend that Kallisto refers to known as Papa Legba. On one such occasion, I was shown a vision of the village as they conducted a sacrificial ritual.” Arissa glanced over at Bernard, and decided not to mention the name of the subject of the ritual. “There was a vast chasm in the village... from it came something large and dangerousthat was invisible to my sight, but the grim affects of it’s claws on the man were very plain to see. It tore him to shreds as if he were made of parchment... I shudder to think of this Undying One if the Maw is incapable of defeating it, and pray that it is not on account of the Maw’s power.” Arissa sat down after she had finished, her expression still composed, but unable to stop a slight tremble at the memory of Ferrin’s death.
 
Bernard knew who Arissa meant, and he could feel the weight of loss in his heart once more. He waited for everyone to finish speaking before choking down his feelings and speaking once more, this time not moving from his spot. "James, you might be better served here, investigating your family's secrets. As we discussed the other day, and I need someone to watch after something while we're gone. We can't have all the town prodigies disappear in the same day, and if we fail someone here needs to know what's coming. Willing or not, it's not a question of who's brave but what is smart. Now, unless anyone has anything else, I need to tend to my job as head of the church." Bernard sighed, pushing himself upright off the wall and turning into the kitchen.

He collected a large bowl of soup mostly made of the roast and drippings from the large dinner he prepared for Gennifer and Van Richten, setting it to warm on the stove. He collected a smaller bowl, enough for three or so servings and capped it with a lid. Heading back to the living room he commented, "There's a soup on the stove. Don't burn Merris' house down." Then he knocked on Merris' bedroom door. "Peri, I've got soup to take to Jonathan and Derek. Will you come with me to deliver it?" Bernard waited at the door for a reply, making a mental note to collect Merris' book before leaving.
 
Marsh House:

At first James seems surprised at Bernard cutting him out here, but he slowly came to realize it was probably for the best. Someone needed to stay behind, and the rich man who helped the town economically were to suddenly die and his fortune to be up in the air it might caused problems. He realized this meant he would have to stay safe, at least until a heir was produced or Leone could inherit. "I... understand," says James with some difficulty reaching out and squeezing Leone's hand. "You'd better stay safe out there alright?"

Violette raises a hand before speaking. "Perhaps their 'Guardian' is adequet enough to kill the Great Serpent however, because it keeps coming back it is just a war of attrition. I'm also unsure if this Maw creature is something we need to worry about while we are out there or only if we visit the um... cannibals. Do we need to visit them or should we avoid contact with them?" asks Violette.
 
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Léone snaps back to reality at James's touch, having been mostly deep in thought during the majority of the conversation. She knew a decent amount of this knowledge already, but hearing it all in one long sequence made it seem... a lot more comprehensive than she had originally realized. Still, it was feasible... right?

Turning back to James, she flashes a half-smile and nods. "I'll be fine. I can reach you if anything happens, and if you want I can leave Attimer with you so you can send a message in the other direction... after I summon him again I guess," she says, chuckling slightly. She squeezes his hand in response and addresses the rest of the group. "So, we're setting out tomorrow from here? It'd probably be best to leave in the morning or early afternoon, depending on whether people have other business to finish."
 
Kallisto raised her head, intending to reply to Violette before a few others spoke up instead. Hearing Arissa speak about the 'Maw' she shook her head slightly, "I think ... similar to what I understand about what the Guardians here did, it has a territory. Those who leave that territory put their lives in their own hands. If anything, the fact the serpent has not merely overrun the tribe means the ... 'Maw' is either similar in strength, or greater."

While Bernard spoke to James she nodded, "I agree -- I am very thankful you offered to come along, but ... like with Toben, it's good to have someone guarding the town if needed."

Picking at her beads hesitantly, she replied to Violette, "I ... would like to at least speak with some of them. But I have no idea where the tribe actually is. When I was younger, I might have, but it's been so long, and rarely do I go into the swamps further than the outskirts of town. With regards to when we leave ... we're definitely not leaving tonight. I was thinking we spend tomorrow gearing up as much as we can, supplies and such, any last minute research, informing those we need to that we'll be out of town ... and what to do if we potentially do not return. We can either leave around noon, or we can leave the next morning, starting our journey with the full day ahead of us. Meeting here at this house again will likely be the best, since it's close to the swamp as it is."
 
Peri pulls from the door as Bear speaks through it. There is a shuffle as she opens it, “I will go with you.” She doesn’t look Bear in the eyes a bit ashamed. Grabbing her cloak from her room she curled up into it moving to the front room to see everyone again.

Upon seeing James she gave a deep sigh. “James can I talk with you a moment before I go to Jonathan’s?” Casting her eyes to Arissa then Yelcan and Bear before James stepping ouside.
 
Bernard smiled at Peri, "Good, we'll take him food." He passed her into Merris' room collecting the fairy tale book from the nightstand. As Peri asked James to speak with him, Bernard handed the book to Leone, "Make sure that James keeps this safe, and do you have those items I left at the manor?"


After collecting the gauntlets and potions from Leone, Bernard waited by the door for Peri. His pack full of things, his shield and spear hanging from his hips, and a bowl of soup in his hands.
 
Marsh House:

"Sounds like a plan," says James to Leone before Peri emerges and wants to talk to him. He nods towards Peri noting the state of her well being and steps outside. He allows her a moment to collect her thoughts before asking "What is it Peri?"

Violette nods to Kallisto. "Very well then we should keep a look out for signs of them as well, though maybe it might be best if you did the talking to them if you happen to be related. Not sure if they value their family members but it's worth a shot right?" asked Violette. When she sees Peri and Bernard go she gives a small wave over to them before turning back to the group. "Alright is there anything else we need to discuss? Otherwise it looks like most people have small errands to run."
 
Arissa avoided Peri’s gaze as she left, unable to hide the guilt she felt for her role in Jonathan’s affliction. She turns to Violette as she spoke of what was next and then looked around the room with a practiced smile. “If I am being frank, I am still rather drained from the battle last night. Bernard’s divine power may have restored the broken bones and other unpleasant injuries, but I believe that it will take time and rest to heal the bruising. Is there anything that I can help any of you with before you depart?” Arissa slightly stressed that last part, hoping that they would catch her meaning.
 
Léone nods slowly at Bernard, taking the book carefully in her hands and glancing at it a bit. "Alright, I'll make sure this stays safe." At his request she pulls out the Falkovnian gauntlets and potions and hands them over, along with a small note stating the exact specifications of the enchantments. "You take care of those now, and if I were you I wouldn't try those gauntlets on."

Seeing that everyone else was about to head their own way, she nods at James as he went to go speak with Peri. "I'm going to make a quick stop for supplies, I'll meet you back at the manor." She looks to Arissa and shakes her head. "I understand, it's... been a long day. I ought to get going as well, see you guys tomorrow."

Waving to the rest of the people still around, she heads out the door and starts making her way over to the curio shop. "I wonder what he'll think of me, buying the summoning incense again so soon..." As she walked on in her lonesome, the thought of Attimer's second dispelling caused her to drift off in thought, replaying all of the events in the past few days in her head over and over until she arrived.
 
"I ... guess if we're done, I'll just head back home. I still have a gift to finish for Tara, though I don't know if she's even still in town at this point." Kallisto bowed her head slightly to those still in the house. "I'll be around tomorrow, stocking up on supplies, checking in with Simon at some point as well ... since I guess he's the new Sheriff now."

Making her way outside with Aluc on her shoulder she quickly stepped past James and Perian, pausing slightly, but continuing on. Reaching the Village Green, she focused for a few minutes so she could speak with Aluc again. "I'm sorry you weren't 'awakened' today Aluc ... I promise I'll try to make it happen for you, but ... Perian is the only one who can, and she has a lot going on. She doesn't want to risk hurting you by accident... I don't know how much you paid attention, but we'll be heading out either tomorrow or the day after -- going towards the nest of the big snake. I'd like you to come with us when we go, you know where it is while we don't, you could be our guide."
 
Peri frowns at James wrapping her arms around him and squeezing tight. “I had hoped that this news would bring a direction to your research behind your family, but now I’m afraid what Your persuit for the truth might lead to your complete ruin as well.” Pulling back she hugs herself.

“Momma has a familiar, Isaiah captured her to trick Momma into going into the fairy book, but before that could happen. Isaiah spoke about his reasons in front of Lina.” Looking down at the ground as if she could sink into it she continues. “Isaiah attacked you because he believed your death would end Legba’s reign on the crossing, he believed your ancestors summoned him to our world.”
 
Bernard held the door for people as they left. When only Violette, James, and Yelcan remained Bernard sighed. He looked after Peri, seeing her still in conversation with James. Turning to the living room he spied his pelt, which he moved to collect. As he crossed the living room he turned to Yelcan and Violette, "Thanks for coming, and thanks for all your research. It sounds like we'll see you back the day after tomorrow. Have a wonderful evening, and I hope tomorrow you're able to get whatever you need for our trip."

He turned to Arissa and smiled. Exiting the room he travelled to the kitchen where he collected a bowl of soup for her and put out the stove, then he returned placing it in front of her and giving her a peck on the head. "It's been a long day for everyone, take care of yourself and I'll see you later." He smiled and moved back to the door to let Yelcan and Violette out and wait for Peri.
 
Marsh House:

James hugged Peri back in an attempt to comfort her the best he could as he listened to what she had to say. "That... sounds like what a lot of people say about my family," says James at first as he gives her statement time to process. When she looks down to the ground. James lowers himself to keep looking at her face. "Some rumors are based in truth however, so if my family did summon Papa Legba than I'll have to find out, and bear that responsibility. It would mean that my family and thus me, are directly responsible for many bad things around the crossing Peri. I'm not sure if it's a bloodline thing or if all he needed was a foothold, but I will find out. I'm sure Jonathan will be happy you are visiting him, tell him I say hi, for it might be a little bit before I visit him tonight."
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As people began to filter out of the house Violette remains behind seeming contemplative. When others had already begun filtering out she spoke to no one in particular. "Thinking back to the last time I went out into the swamp I still find it odd that Blackburn's crypt had a hidden library and a large skeleton of a snake. Why hide stuff way out there?" says Violette moving for the door. "Well I hope you feel better by tomorrow Arissa, the open country can wear you out even worse than a good scrap."

She cheerfully waves to everyone left before exiting out the door.
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To Kallisto:

"Big snake! Dangerous! Small ones die, even big small ones," says Aluc before flying off to a nearby house. "I see you when large light floats into sky."
 
When Yelcan first entered the Marsh house, he was chatting with his traveling members, but that quickly died down when he heard the shout from Peri. He was about to go into the room to see what had happened when she ran into a bedroom, slamming the door. Yelcan saw the look that Bernard gave Arissa, a clear look to leave her alone and Yelcan hesitated. He ended up deciding whatever caused that outburst must have been pretty bad, so he instead took a seat on the floor, back up against a wall as they discussed the plans for the Great Serpent.

Yelcan remained silent during the briefing, half listening to what Kallisto was saying, half worrying about Peri and if she was alright in there. Luckily as the briefing went on, Yelcan did not need to speak up as Kallisto covered all of the information that they knew. As the meeting ended, and Bernard moved to the door to speak to Peri, Yelcan immediately stood up from his spot on the floor and took a step towards Peri. He made eye contact with Peri briefly before she went outside to talk with James, and he gave her a quick smile of reassurance.

As the others left to go about their business, and it was just Yelcan, Violette and Bernard that were in the room, Yelcan noticed Bernard's clear attempt to shoo them out. He turned to Violette and said, "Hey, you going back to the manor? If so, I'll catch up, I just need to talk to Arissa real quick." Without really waiting for a response, Yelcan moves past Bernard as he comes back out to hold the door for them, and gives Arissa a little wave to beckon her into the kitchen.

Once she followed into the kitchen, Yelcan turned to her, and keeping his voice fairly low in case Peri re-entered the house, and asked "So, what was all that about earlier? I heard Peri yelling, and then I heard Bernard say something about Jonathan. Is everything alright?"
 
Arissa eyed Violette curiously and was about to ask about the Blackburn crypt but turned to see Bernard as he entered with the bowl of soup. She smiled at him slightly, although her weariness and concern for Peri was clearly evident in her expression as she took the bowl from Bernard. She then turned and spotted Yelcan as he waved to her and sighed heavily, worn from the weight of the day. She trudged into the kitchen and set the bowl down on the counter before looking at him exhaustively and emotionally drained. "No, Yelcan, I am afraid that everything is not alright at all. As Bernard had said very plainly before, Jonathan is dying... and it is my fault. Bernard had just broken the news to her, and as expected it did not go well..." Arissa sat down on the table and covered her face with her hands.
 
Yelcan pulls out a chair, spinning it around so he can sit in it backwards and lean his arms on the back. "Ah...I see...well I'm really sorry to hear than, I know you two had gotten close since you arrived at the Crossing. I can only imagine how Peri feels as well..." Yelcan sat there for a few moments in silence, unsure of how to really console her, while still looking to ask questions. Seeing the weariness on her face, Yelcan figured he might as well try and gain some information before either her or Bernard kicked him out all together. Yet he still speaks with a bit of hesitation, ready to stop speaking if it becomes too much for her to speak about right now. "May I ask what ails him? And...how is it that you are involved?"
 
Peri half laughed as he ducked into her vision tears not stopping as they pooled in her lashes and large droplets fell to the ground or tumbled down already streaked cheeks.

“I just felt you deserved to know why he was willing to go to such lengths. And I want you to be careful, Bear seems to think persuit of the truth is killing people.” Her words are broken up by sniffles and gulps of air. “ None of the bad things happening are your fault James, please know that. I do not believe it, even if it turns out to be true of your ancestors.”
 
Arissa sighs, removing her hands and looking up at Yelcan. "My apologies, It has been a trying day. The situation is rather... complicated to explain." Arissa paused for a moment, looking out the window to the tree that served as Ferrin's shrine. "You heard me when I had shared that I had dealings with Legba, ja? Unbeknownst to me, Jonathan had made a deal of his own... one in which he offered to serve as volmacht to me... To take the penalties in my stead. My first bargain, the price was not particularly harsh. I had sworn to do a task of the fiend's choosing... a price I was willing to pay to cure Kallisto of her lycanthropy. That is why Jonathan and I were not present at the beginning of the attack at the ball, and encountered those Falkovnian men. Legba wanted something back from James, gods know what it might have been, and seeing as it was meant to be my task I assisted my friend."

Arissa then paused for a moment before shaking her head sadly, no longer meeting Yelcan's gaze. "Perian knows of the first bargain, and also of the one that Jonathan had made... but she does not know of the second. After we had gone out into the wilderness and failed to exterminate Toben... I felt useless. My friends were throwing themselves into danger time and time again, and all I was able to do was offer words of encouragement. So I sought out Legba once more, and made a bargain to gain the power and skill of a warrior who resided in the sword that I wield in order to protect the ones I care for. Never in our exchange was a price negotiated for... I had thought it to be so straightforward a process that he was willing to do it gratis... Little did I know the prices that would be paid for that decision would not be on my behalf. Godefroy described the process as Legba constructing a bridge with Jonathan's essence between the spirit in the blade, and myself. Once the bridge is complete... so is Jonathan."

Arissa blinks and looks back to Yelcan as if only just then remembering his presence. "Jonathan has made peace with his decision, and tried to convince me not to blame myself for his death... but he did not realize that it will have great impacts on others as well. I do not believe that Bernard has told Perian of my involvement in the situation, but she has the right to know, ja?" Arissa begins to tear up as she thought of how Peri must be feeling having to deal with so much loss. "I fear that I will not be able to comfort her any longer... the killer of her childhood friend does not deserve her love or affection. Please... take care of her." She covered her face once more, having finished her testimony, and awaited Yelcan's judgement.
 
Marsh House:

James smiles at Peri's reassurance and he hugs her one more time for good measure. "It's good to know that I have friends that truly care. Thank you Perian," says James a little teared up himself. "I understand that Isaiah's attack was probably not personal in regards to me as an individual but my family as a whole. The sins of the father and all that. Thank you for telling me and I'll see what I can find out while you are away on the snake hunt. I saw what you did to Isaiah in the battle. You were incredibly brave, and strong. I don't think Isaiah expected that from you, but I imagine he in some ways must have been proud. He had come prepared for Bernard I think but not you."

James pulls from the hug putting hands on her shoulders and gently lifting her gaze to his. "Listen, I'm happy that you're my friend, and I hope I'm as good a friend to you as you are to me," said James patting her head and smiling. "Now you'd better go tell Jonathan that you were the true hero of the Ball but he can probably be your unicorn mount if he ever wants to be included."
 
Peri blinks away tears and nods with a weak but sincere laugh at his comment about Jonothan. “I will do my best, I know he will be glad to see you too, so don’t forget to visit okay.” Giving his hands a squeeze she pulls back to turn and find Bear. “Thankyou James, for being you and listening.”
Saying farewell to the others before seeking Bernard she is ready to go.

The path to the Einhorns she is quiet for a few moments before she relays the same message she told James.
 
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