It’s been about a day since you left Yellowvale. The awkwardness did not go away as you hoped it would.

After some discussion, the three of you decided to skip the next town and camp out last night. Y9ou started back on the road at first light this morning.

That was… 3 hours ago? It’s hard to tell, you’ve been pretty bored. About half an hour ago Marcy slumped back into you and fell asleep. You figured she’d do this at some point, since it didn’t seem like she slept all that well last night.

You took the reins from her and she’s been asleep ever since, with her head leaned back against your shoulder turned to face you. Every now and again she’ll fidget or stir, but otherwise she seems pretty content with her position.

Not for long though. You look up, and you see that the grey clouds are only getting darker. It’ll be raining soon, and knowing this area it’ll be raining hard…

Generally you’ll be able to find way-houses along these roads. They’re built and maintained by the Kingdom along with some of the merchant companies to be used by travellers. You saw one a ways back, and there should be another further up.

“Master, I do not like the looks of this” Kuma says, looking up at the sky. “We should seek shelter”
“My thoughts exactly…” You say.

>[ ] There should be a way house further up

>[ ] We passed a way house a while back

>[ ] Ask her if she has any ideas

>[ ] Other

>>40373909
>[ ] There should be a way house further up
>[ ] Ask her if she has any ideas

>>40373909
>[ ] Ask her if she has any ideas
>[ ] There should be a way house further up

>>40373909
>[ ] There should be a way house further up

>>40373909
>[ ] There should be a way house further up
>[ ] Ask her if she has any ideas

>writing

“There should be a way-house further up the road” You say. “Unless you have another idea”
“There is a mine not too far into the woods south of here. It was abandoned when the metals ran out.” She says.

“Is it safe?” You ask.
Kuma nods. “It even lets out further south. The brotherhood has been using it to pass unseen for a few years now” She says.
“It won’t flood?” You ask.
“It will fill partially if it rains too hard for too long, but if we are quick that shouldn’t be a problem” She says. “But, you are in charge”

>[ ] Go to the wayhouse

>[ ] Go to the mine

>[ ] Selene’s been quiet, ask what she thinks

>>40374538
>>[ ] Go to the mine

Shouldn't be too bad.

>"Selene, how are you holding up? Don't mind getting a little dusty?"

>>40374538
>[ ] Go to the wayhouse

>>40374538
>[ ] Go to the wayhouse

Why not the mine, out of curiosity?

>>40374538
>[ ] Go to the mine

We can keep moving, and not get too close to other travelers.

>>40374538
>[ ] Go to the mine

>writing

“How do you feel about getting a little dusty, kiddo?” You ask Selene, who has been silently listening to your conversation.
“Don’t wanna get wet” She says. “Will it be dark?”
“We’ll bring lights” You say. You think you have an old oil lamp somewhere in your cloak… probably. If not, then there’s always magic.

“Okay” She says. “Let’s go”

She looks torn between her fear of the dark the excitement of checking out an abandoned mine. But if she says it’s okay, you really have no reason to argue.

“Alright, lead the way” You say.
“It’s up a little further, there should be a beaten path” Kuma says.

You urge your horse to move a little faster as the first of the rain starts to fall. Marcy sleeps through it, until a drop falls straight into her open mouth.

“Ack!” She says, sitting forward and coughing. “What the hell?”
“Morning sleepyhead” You say.
Marcy rubs her eyes. “How long was I out for?” She asks.
“Not long” You say.

She holds her hands out to feel the rain. “Long enough for this to happen” She says. “Where the heck did these clouds come from?”
“The sky” You reply, earning you an elbow in the side.
“Har har.” She says. “It looks like it’ll be bad”
“I know. We’re heading for shelter now” You reply.
“Oh good” She says, leaning back into you. “I’d hate to think you’re the kind of guy to let his dear wife sit out in the rain”
“Only if she’s been bad” You say, earning you yet another elbow in the side.

>[1/2]

>>40375117
You and Kuma take a moment to inform Marcy of your decision. She seems unsure, but she goes along with it.

“On one condition” She says.
“And what’s that?” You ask.
“If we get there and it looks even a little rickety, we’re leaving and heading back to the wayhouse” She says.
“You’re not afraid of the dark, are you?” You ask.
“No, I just don’t like the idea of being inside a mine when it collapses. Okay?”

>[ ] Fine

>[ ] You really want to go back out into the rain?

>[ ] Other

>>40375267
>[ ] You really want to go back out into the rain?

>>40375267
>[ ] You really want to go back out into the rain?

>writing

“You really want to go back out into the rain?” You ask.
“It’s better than being crushed” She says.
“Alright, if it looks like it’ll collapse at any second we’ll turn back. Okay?” You say.
“All I’m asking for” She says.

You roll your eyes and urge your horse forward a bit more as the rain gets harder. Kuma leads you down the beaten path when you get to it, and by the time you reach the mine the rain is coming down in sheets.

“Holy crap, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it rain so hard in my life” You say, shaking yourself off after leading your horse into the mouth of the mine.

“I am… uncomfortable” Kuma says, trying to pick her dress away from her skin. “I believe a change of clothing is necessary”

Marcy looks incredibly nervous. She’s standing at the entrance to the mine, just beyond the threshold where the rain stops.

“Well isn't that too bad, because we have to go back” She says.
“Marcy what are you talking about?” You ask.
“No” Selene says, as she tries to climb up under your cloak. “Too cold”

Marcy laughs nervously.
“You’re not scared… are you?” You ask.
“Me? Noooo… just… apprehensive about walking into an abandoned mine that could come down on my head at any second” She says.
“You ARE scared” You say.
“Alright! Yes, I’m scared. There. I said it” She says. “I keep a lid on it normally because no one cares if you’re scared as a man but this friggin place terrifies me”

“Marcy we can’t go back out into that rain” You say.
“Sure we can! It’s easy!” She says, turning and stepping back out into the rain. She immediately starts shivering under the cold assault…

>[ ] Offer to hold her hand

>[ ] Urge her to go in

>[ ] Offer to wait the rain out here

>[ ] Head back out

>>40375878
>[ ] Offer to hold her hand

If it was going to collapse, some poor brotherhood member would've done it by now.

>>40375878
>[ ] Offer to hold her hand
why not wait just inside the mouth of the mine so that we're not that far in it but still out of the rain

>>40375878
> Offer tho wait the rain out here

>writing

>>40375878
>>[ ] Offer to hold her hand

“Hang on, I’ll be right back” You tell Selene as you go back into the rain after Marcy.

You catch up to Marcy and grab onto her arm. “Marcy, stop” You say.
“I think I’d rather keep going” She says.
“Marcy, please stop” You say.
“Giles I’m not going in there” She says.

You pull her hand back and intertwine your fingers with her. “Not even if I hold your hand?” You ask.
Marcy’s eyes go wide, and she looks between you and her hand. “Wha-…” She says. “Why would that even-…”
“Come on” You say, pulling her gently back to the mine.
“Giles I can’t go in there” She says. “I’ll freak out. You have no idea how hard it was to keep my cool when we were leaving the palace”
“I’ll be here” You say, giving her hand a squeeze. “Selene will be here, and I think Kuma might actually be able to smash rocks with her bare hands”

“That’s not helping” She says.
“We’re a bit too far to turn back now” You say.
“No we’re not” She says. “You’re never too far to turn back”

The two of you reach the entrance again, and Marcy stops. You can see her taking deeps breaths and trying to compose herself.

>Any words of encouragement to offer?

>>40376429
"It's tough to face your fears, but face them we must. I was afraid of making friends and romantic connections but I've certainly done that, we'll look back on this and laugh later."

>>40376429
Marcy, we haven't steered you wrong yet. I swear we're not trying to do that now. I'm not saying that you suddenly have to make your fears vanish...but I can say that we'll be there to help and support you quite literally every step of the way.

>>40376429
"Marcella, it's going to be alright.

I know it's dark and scary, but I'm the most dangerous thing that goes bump in the night, and I'm not going to let anything happen to you.

You're a champion duelist, and one of the strongest bravest people I know, you aren't going to let a little piece of old architecture beat you."

>writing

“Marcella it’s going to be alright” You say, squeezing her hand again.
“I beg to differ” She says.
“You’ve gotten through worse than this. I promise you that we’ll make it back out the other side, and when we do we can look back on this little sojourn and laugh” You say.
“Or have nightmares” She says.
“No nightmares” You say.
“Not even little ones?” She asks.
“No” You reply.

Marcy looks into the cave apprehensively.
“I promise you. Nothing bad will happen as long as you hold on” You say.
She looks down at your intertwined hands, then back into the cave. Then she takes a big step forward and looks back at you.

“Okay” She says, throttling it into the cave as fast as she can go without running.

It’s a start…

>[1/2]

A few feet into the cave you manage to get Marcy to slow the hell down.

“We still need our horses, and Selene” You say.
“No Kuma?” She asks.
“Kuma is a big girl” You say. “Selene is the one I worry about”

As you mention her name, Selene comes bounding at you. When she reaches you she hops up into your arms and covers herself with your cloak. “Still cold” She says.
“We should probably dry off” You say, attempting to free your hand so you can grab a towel from your cloak. “Marcy, you mind?” You ask as you find yourself unable to break her deathgrip.

“No can do. Cave was your idea, so I’m afraid your hand is mine until I can see the sky again” She says.

>[ ] Try and negotiate for your hand

>[ ] Put Selene down

>[ ] Have Selene go into your cloak

>>40377205
>[ ] Have Selene go into your cloak

>>40377205
>[ ] Put Selene down
tell her it will make her warmer sooner

>>40377205
Why don't we hand her off to marcy?

>writing

Amazing how the little untrained girl is braver than the practiced swordfighter/guard.

“Selene I’m gonna have to put you down” You say.
“No thank you” She says.
“I need to get into my cloak” You say.
“Too cold” She says.

You roll your eyes. “Then could you grab some towels and maybe a blanket or two from my cloak?” You ask.
“How?” She asks.
“Just stick your hand in the seam and think about what you want to pull out. If it’s in there it’ll come to your hand” You say.

Selene nods, though all you see if a bobbing under your cloak. You think it was a nod…

After a few seconds of rummaging, Selene throws back your cloak and reveals a big blanket she found. “This one?” She asks.
“That’s the one, thank you” You say. “Marcy, you mind?”
Marcy reaches over and pulls the blanket over your shoulders and hers, and Selene pulls it around herself.

“Cozy” Selene says with a big smile.
“Now all we have to deal with is that” You say, pointing off into the dark ahead.

“You need not fear” Kuma says, leading the two horses up behind you with the reins in one hand and a torch in the other. “I found this at the entrance”

You smile at her. “Excellent work” You say.
“Thank you, master” She replies.

Selene tosses a blanket to Kuma as well, and the four of you begin to make your way into the mine…

>[ ] Talk to Marcy about her fears

>[ ] Talk to Kuma about this mine

>[ ] Other

>>40377951
>[ ] Talk to Kuma about this mine

>>40377951
>>[ ] Talk to Kuma about this mine

>>40377951
>[ ] Talk to Kuma about this mine

>writing

“So what can you tell me about this mine, Kuma?” You ask.
“What would you like to know?” She asks.

“I dunno… what did they used to mine here?” You ask.
Kuma shrugs. “I think it might have been iron” She says.
“You don’t even know?” You ask.
“It was abandoned at least a decade before I was born” She says.

“Alright then… where does it let out?” You ask.
“It should be just north of Searise” She says. “I believe this mine was one of the reasons why the port of Searise was made” She says.

“Wait… if it lets out just north of Searise…” You say.
Marcy’s grip on your hand tightens. “Searise is still days away” She says.

“Correct” Kuma says. “It will be two days travel from here to the Searise end”

Marcy stops walking.
“Though there are exits sooner than those, if you wish to take them” She says.
“Anywhere interesting?” You ask.

“There is one nearby a point of interest” She says.
“A point of interest?” You ask.
“Somewhere you might like to go” She says. “A military camp. Grandfather has marked the general there as someone who should be removed, but he thinks the man might be swayed”

“You think I could do it?” You ask.
“He thinks it’s worth a try” She says.

>[ ] Go straight to Searise

>[ ] Get out near the camp

>[ ] Get out ASAP

>[ ] Other

>>40378434
>[ ] Get out near the camp

>>40378434
>[ ] Get out near the camp
It's worth a look if nothing else, and goodnight anons and Smiley. I'm looking forward to catching up tomorrow.

>>40378434
>[ ] Get out near the camp

>writing

>>40378434
>>[ ] Get out near the camp
Pretty much what >>40378528 said. Worth a gander at least.

“Well, the camp is probably worth checking” You say. “And if it’ll make this all end sooner, then it’s all the better”

“And it involves getting out of here sooner” Marcy says, making no effort to hide her relief.
“Oh come on, you could’ve made it to the end” You say.
“Your hand would’ve lost blood by then” She says. “Loooong before then. It would’ve been dead by the time we reached Searise, and you would’ve had to get it amputated”

“I’m sure it wouldn’t be that bad” You say.
“I beg to differ” She says.

“Don’t be scared mama!” Selene says. “I can save you from the scary things!”
“Says the little girl who stills clings whenever it gets dark” Marcy says. “But thank you” She pats Selene’s head.
Selene smiles.

“Whereabouts is the exit?” You ask.
“Still a ways away yet” Kuma says. “We should reach it before the day is out”

“Oh joy” Marcy says. “Think it’ll still be raining on the other side?”
“I hope not” You say. “Otherwise we’ll have to stay in the mine”
“Please don’t joke about that” Marcy says. You can see genuine fear in her eyes.

You squeeze her hand again. “Sorry”

>[ ] Try to learn more about Marcy’s fear

>[ ] Try to learn more about this general

>>40378919 NOT A VOTE, but with this option:

> Try to learn more about this general

Did you miss a word? It reads oddly to me...

>>40378919
>[ ] Try to learn more about this general
we can ask about her fear later

>>40378932
The general of the army that we're going to meet.

>>40378932
it reads fine to me

>>40378919
>[ ] Try to learn more about this general

We're likely going to try persuade him to turn, or failing that shank him. Either way it's good to know our target.

>writing

“What can you tell me about this general?” You ask Kuma.
“Not much at the moment” Kuma says. “Once we’re out of the mine I’ll send a bird requesting the information we have on him”

“Will we get that information before I go to try and talk to him?” You ask.
“Yes. Our birds are rather fast” Kuma says.
“Alright… well, tell me what you do know I guess” You say.

Kuma gathers her thoughts together. “He’s young for his position. The word is that he has a relation to the late King Mercutius” She says.
“Odd, I didn’t think Mercutius had any relatives” You say.
“Most people don’t” Kuma says. “But he had an older brother. The two of them served in the military together up until the end of the war with Alka-Habra. Mercutius married the-then princess Frederica when the war ended, but the brother disappeared”

You’ve only ever heard stories of the war between Laust and Alka-Habra. It happened a good few decades before you were born. But foremost among the things you know is that it was bloody.

“Any info on him?” You ask.
“None on hand” Kuma says. “I could request that as well”
“Please do” You say. “Back to the general, what was his name, and his actual relation to the King?”
“Hmmm… I believe he is the late King’s nephew” She says. “Though they deny the relation, the King had a lot to do with Johann’s rise through the military”

“His name is Johann?” You ask.
“Yes Johann… uhhhhh…” Kuma thinks some more. “Started with a p… peter… no… pedro?”
“Pitre?” You ask.
“That’s it! Pitre! His name is Johann Pitre” Kuma says. “The second”

That's all for tonight, I hope you guys still enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it!

Sorry for the early finish. It's been a long week so far and it's not even done yet. Smiley needs sleep.

Next thread might be this weekend, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

I will be sticking around for a little while if anyone has questions/suggestions

>>40379399
Thanks for running.

And we need to wrangle some explanations out of Father Pitre next time we see him.

>>40379370
>>40379399
Oh god it's Father Pitres son isn't it...This explains everything.

>>40379399
thanks for running