Kidnapped: Pieces of the puzzle (Chapter 2)

[sfliegel]

Siff smiled at the compliment, "I just want to find Nilla, like everyone else. But, I thought using your approach as a spring board, we could do a little good constable, bad constable."

[Game Master]

"Hmmm, good idea. However I wasn't acting. I despise her kind and would like nothing better to find her guilty of something." Kursaville looked to Tull who was obviously not in agreeance. "Do not worry Tull. I am not an evil man and I will not fabricate anything just to see her burn. If she is innocent of wrong doings then I will simply stay away from her. Oh, and make sure I keep your promise to repair the door. I'm sure you know a good carpenter I can commission for the job."

Just ahead were the rest of the party members.

[homeskillet]

Tull pats Lord Kursaville's back. He could sense the uneasiness within his new comrade," I am sorry too Lord Kursaville, I just know these people we are questioning and these tactics are not needed," Tull with calm demeanor," I understand now why you react that way and I am sorry I reacted so harshly myself, but I was shocked. You seem so nice, If not a little stressed. I am sure I can find someone to replace the door in your name and maybe with any cost to you at all. We will work together to accomplish our goal and find Nilla." Tull flashes a warm smile at Lord Kursaville and then one to Siff, " My apologies to you too, my lady. I just wanted it to stop."

[sfliegel]

Siff smiled back to Tull, "Thank you Master Tull for keeping a rational mind during this trying time. You do know these people better then we do but sometimes fear and/or guilt might make people say or do things they might not ordinarially do. If we work together then we can try to get the answers we want without anyone else getting hurt or needing new doors." Siff gave Kursaville a wink.

Lord Kursacville smiled inspite of himself, "Let's find the others and see what they have learned from Moonhaven."

[homeskillet]

Aiko sees Lord Kursaville and team coming. He smiles and waves," Hello my friends," Aiko waves them over," We have broken new territory. Mason has suggested we search Moonhaven's home for shoes." Kursaville's face frowns at this statement. " I think we should also look for the cave Firebug believes is out there. Mason you are familiar with this area. Are there any caves near by?" Mason stops to think," I don't know of any caves. All I know of, is a small dwarf mine in the hills that produce Iron Ore for HalfHelms smithy." Aiko ponders," Well we should start there then. I will go with Sull and Tull to the mines and the rest should go to Moonhaven's house to look for clues there," Aiko suggests, " We must go now. Mason, how do we get there?

[Game Master]

Mason ponders another experience within the closed quarters of a cabin. He really prefers the out doors. He's also never actually been to the dwarven mine. Though he was sure he could find it. "Uhh, maybe I should take you. I honestly can't tell you how to get there. Lord Constable, You saw the boot print out back in Nilla's yard didn't you?"

Kursaville nodded. "Yes you marked it with a clothed stick."

"Thats right. Your looking for a boot that will fit that mark. It will have a noticeable nick out of the inside of the sole. Do you think you can handle it or should I come with you and postpone the search for Neilla's cave?

[sfliegel]

Kursaville agreeed, "I feel it is best for you to lead the search for the cave/mine, whatever, Mason. You're more familiar with the area plus if there is something going on then the group will need an extra set of strongs arms. I'll revisit the foot to familiarize myself with the style of boot I'm looking for."

Firebug looked around the group, from face to face, "So then Stone, Mason, Sull and Tull, you boys will search for our cave, and Lord Kursaville, Siff and myself will remain to investigate Master Moonhaven? Does that sound okay with everyone?"

All heads nodded, and Stone's group followed Mason out of town searching for the mine. Once they lost Stone's group Firebug said, "I need to make a quick stop. Siff I think we should take a walk by Halfhelm's shop and see if he has a signal for us."

Siff nodded her head, "Do you think we should talk to him about Nilla's disappearance?"

"Let's see what signal is flying first. It is possible that Nilla stumbled onto our arms smugglers. On the other hand, we should speak to him to make sure we have his permission to be in his mine. We'd better hurry."

[Game Master]

***The seven Dwarfs***

Mason led the group up into the hills behind Nilla's home. Most of the close areas were denuded of trees. They had been cut down long ago to supply the town. The continued east until the hills were once again full of trees.

"Stone. You can sense minerals can't you?" Aiko caught on immediately and closed his eyes. Shifting his bare feet from side to side he dug ever so slightly until his feet were just about covered in the rich earth.

"There is lime all through these hills. Iron, however seems to be concentrated deep within the ground. Wait. That way." Aiko pointed. "There is a large iron deposit that way close to the surface."

With new found direction the group set off again. It took hours climbing up the Hills grade and trudging through trees and underbrush. Finally only a couple hours before dark they came upon a small trail leading down the hill as well as further up.

Tull pointed down hill. "That must lead to the main road. Those deep grooves are cart tracks or I'm no teamster."

"He is correct." Mason added after studying the tracks for himself.

"Dwarfs use carts to move ore. Good bet mine up hill away from travelers." Sull added.

Mason smiled at the obvious statement. "Good thinking Sull. We'll head up the trail from here."

Only ten minutes of walking up the trail it leveled out into a flat area some 80 feet wide and 50 feet back into the hill side. The cleft looked as if it had been excavated smooth decades ago. The mine entrance could be seen clearly. It was a ten foot wide six feet tall square opening with large stone pillars and a stone crossbeam at the top framing it. The group slowed as they came to the edge of the cleft. Whistling could be heard and in moments seven dwarfs emerged from the mine entrance. They ALL looked grumpy.

[Game Master]

***The signal***

Firebug, Siff and Lord Kursaville all noticed the dominant red theme as they came to the Tools of the Trade. Red dyed feathers adorned spears, while a red lacquered sword sheath was displayed prominently in a window. Even a reddish brown rug was draped over a banister. There were other colors to be sure but red clearly dominated the smithy this day.

"Looks like he discovered something." Siff said attempting to keep the excitement out of her voice.

"Looks that way. Come on. We have time." Firebug led the way.

The group greeted Halfhelm. After some pleasantries and gaining permission to enter his mine Halfhelm led Firebug and the others to what looked like a kitchen. It was a fair size having two stone hearths. One on each side of the kitchen. The set up was common. You could use whichever was not affected by any prevailing wind at the time as well as keep them clean by alternating them. "We often have to eat here especially the overnight crew so we built this kitchen. I found something interesting this morning. I never would have found it if You hadn't alerted me to the situation. Look at this."

Halfhelm grabbed a small, thin iron chain off a hook, and walked over to the currently unused hearth. He pointed to the massive iron spit and a wheel to which a handle could be affixed. "We can roast a small ox on that when we wish but I discovered another use as well." Halfhelm was acting like a child on his birthday. A gleam was in his eyes and he grinned broadly. He ran the chain around the wheel. "Move that brick in the corner of the hearth will you?" Lord Kursaville obliged. The brick came out smoothly, revealing an iron bolt set into the bottom of the hearth stone. Firebug noticed that the chain had hooks on each end. One hook was attached to the bolt and the other was linked back though the chain to form a tight loop on the wheel.

"Now watch this." Halfhelm retrieved the metal handle and inserted it into the form fitting socket in the wheel. With the handle attached he was able to turn the wheel that acted as a pulley. The chain neatly lifted the huge stone slab beneath the hearth with ease. Beneath the slab was a tight stairway that lead to darkness.

"Where does it go?" Siff asked in wonder.

"I have no idea." Came the smiths reply.

[sfliegel]

***The signal***

Lord Kursaville looked away from the inky blackness to Halfhelm who was staring at the secret entrance with a child's excitement. "Master Halfhelm, before we go on, I have a few questions. By the way, my name is Lord Kursaville, constable." Lord Kursaville extended his hand.

Firebug continued to stare into the dark opening, "Master Halfhelm, if we showed you some rock samples, do you think you might be able to tell from wense they came?"

Kursaville handed Halfhelm the pouch with the orange rocks in it.

Lady Siff leaned into Firebug's ear and whispered, "are you actually thinking about going down there? In the darkness?"

Firebug nodded slowly, "yes I am, in due time."

[homeskillet]

****The Seven Dwarfs****
Aiko,suprised by this perdicament tries to play it off," Hello friends," Aiko announces," We which way to Arian?"

[Game Master]

***The Signal***

"These rocks are common. Though you have to dig for them. They are never close to the surface. They most likly came from my Iron Mine. Why?"

Halfhelm lowered the slab back into place and began puting everything back the way it was.

[Game Master]

***The seven Dwarfs***

All the dwarfs were covered in grime as to appear almost black. A huge dwarf, almost five feet tall stepped forward. The burly dwarf replied in southern. "You are on the wrong path my friends. In fact you are on the wrong side of these hills completely. This is no short cut across. You must head to Garrotten and take the western road out of town. We are headed to Garrotten ourselves. We will accompany you."

The dwarves began to gather belongings that were seen in piles around the mine entrance. The lead dwarf walked over to a large stone and reached behind it. Aiko saw him remove a key attached to a chain around his neck. Inserting the key into something Aiko couldn't see, a massive stone slab dropped from behind the mine opening, sealing the entrance with a boom.

[homeskillet]

"Wow that's one mighty piece of stone there," Aiko tries to make simple conversation," What's in there?"

[Game Master]

***The seven Dwarfs***

"Dwarven property." The tall dwarf stated gruffly. "Let us go. It will be dark before we reach town if we don't leave now."