Wearily, but with relief, Jynx trudges into the small village, still lugging his oversized (and heavy) trunk along with Born-in-Shame. The party had to deal with yet more strange creatures on their journey, but luckily none as fierce as the first. Panting, the cat drops his end of the trunk. "Okay… not… *cough* too far now." He pulls out his map.

According to the map … well … this should be Blackshire Village.

With a loud slam, some shutters close on the nearest cottage. Others follow suit. One door opens up, allowing a brief view of a lit interior … but an arm reaches out to grab the lantern hanging outside the door … and to bring it inside. The door slams shut.

It would seem as if the welcome mat is being rolled up and taken in for the night.

Ever since that first encounter, the Aelfin has tagged along side Jynx and Born-in-Shame. She has been quiet ever since those last few words after her magic spell defeated the first creatures. Only now does she begin to talk again, tugging on Jynx's pants leg to get his attention. "Master Durai? Jynx? Did… I really help you, with my magic… ?" she asks directly before the sound of a slammed shutter causes her to scoot behind Jynx.

The Khatta blinks, and his tail flops to the ground. "Gee, friendly crowd." Picking up the trunk again with one paw, he holds the map in the other. "Well, this isn't too far from the castle. We can either try to make it there tonight, or try and find some lodging here, if we can." The cat walks down the street, looking this way and that for some sort of inn.

Scarlet follows along beside, and behind, the black Khatta as he looks for an inn. "D-do you believe they may be monsters, too?" she asks him as she eyes this and that doorway for anything that remotely resembles a monster. "A-and, was I useful? Was I?" she also asks, seeming intent on getting an answer.

One inn there is, with a well-weathered sign that surely hasn't been painted for years. The name of the inn can't be well-read, but it probably says something generic like "Blackshire Inn", with something resembling a mug painted on the wood.

The sounds of a lute and a singing voice gently drift from the interior of the inn. The words can barely be made out…

Jynx thinks faster than minks,

He never stinks,

In wacky hijinks!

Jynx blinks, and goes to the brinks,

For Jynx is a wonderful guyyyyyyyy!

Hmm. That voice sounds awfully familiar…

The cheetah warrior silently nods, his face hidden by his visor.

Jynx shakes his head, "Somehow I doubt they're monsters, and yeah, that was a neat trick. Let's discuss it later, though." The feline furrows his brow at the song, and grimaces. Looks like the fox beat them here. "This way." He steers the trio toward the inn, and the Dagh-awful singing.

… Jynx clinks, into the drinks,

He never sinks,

Unlike a lynx!

Jynx winks, and he never finks,

For Jynx is a wonderful guyyyyyy!

Just as the inn door opens, the foppish fox can be seen, going into the chorus…

Jyyynx, Jyyynx!

One unlucky Khatta, but there's no one betta!

Jyyynx, Jyyynx!

A nod and a big smile follows Jynx's approval of the Aelfin's magic. She tags along beside him, following him towards the inn. "I see now why that fox annoys you, Master Durai," she mentions on the way.

He's one really wonderful guyyyyy!

As the weary adventurers make their way into the inn, a female Jupani in a white blousy dress and dark brown corset nods from behind a counter. "Good evening, travelers! Welcome to my humble establishment. I, Madame Garou, am at your service."

The fox bard still plays, going into another verse now.

The black Khatta sets his ears back as he enters the establishment. "That's Kurai," he says down to Scarlet. Setting the trunk down, he crosses his arms, glaring at the fox, but also taking in the interior of the inn. "Hello ma'am," Jynx says to the Jupani, "We'd like to have a room for the night, if one is available."

Jynx slinks into the drinks,

He's blacker than inks,

He's NOT into pinks!

Jynx' kinks are worth more than zincs,

For Jynx is a wonderful gu – "JYNX!"

The lute makes a discordant SPROING as the fox notices the travelers. "You're alive!"

A bookish-looking crow-like Korv, a more rugged-looking Korv, and a tall black bat-like Eeee turn to look at the adventurers.

"Oh, I am sorry, Master Kurai. I'm afraid I'm still a bit shaken from that encounter," says the Aelfin as she flicks her ear a bit. She immediately turns from the black Khatta and lifts her hand to wave to the fox. "Hello, Mr. Foppish."

"Yes, sir," answers Madame Garou. "It is ten shekels the night per room."

The Khatta frowns, "Of course I am, no thanks to you." He sighs, and turns back to the wolf. Digging into his pockets, the Khatta feels about for any cash.

The little Aelfin walks away from Jynx, now moving towards the black bat. "Hello," she greets the bat in Eeee, followed by a friendly smile.

Pulling out the needed money, Jynx offers it to the wolf. "I'd like two rooms please. One for me and my, er, slave, and one for my companions. We'll only be here until tomorrow, and then we're off."

The bat blinks at the Aelfin. The words don't seem to register with him at all. "Gut evenink," he says in a heavy accent. His fur is silky black, and his eyes seem to glow faintly red … rather like that rabbit, actually … as he removes a pair of rectangle-rimmed spectacles from above the bridge of his muzzle. "I am Sheriff Darken."

"Slave?" queries the wolf with an eyebrow. She leans forward, then says in a harsh whisper, "You'd best take to calling her your 'maidservant'. Village folk don't take kindly to what they call 'heathens' in these parts."

"Eek!" The Aelfin takes a step away from the Sheriff, holding her staff forward and lifting her left hand into the air. "Y-you are n-not one of those monsters, are y-you?" she asks the bat in a whimper.

"Her?!" the Khatta says with a gasp, "I was talking about my Savanite companion!" He scratches his head.

Sheriff Darken frowns and puts his spectacles back on, turning toward the fire.

The rugged-looking Korv laughs, and caws, "Ah! Those are travelers for you! Must have met the monsters on the way in, eh? I'm Poe. Farmer Poe. And this scrawny fellow," he gestures to the other Korv, "is Schoolmaster Horace Bookman. The tall gangly fellow is – well, you've already got his name. And that's Ysnor in the corner." He points to a darkened corner. Only now can be noticed the gleaming eyes of a Skreek sitting there, hunched over a drink.

"Whatever," says the wolf. "Savanite? Eh … I've heard that term before. Bad karma, or something like that," she muses. "I'd suggest not waving that word around, either."

The foppish fox laughs, and says, "Ah, don't be afraid of the Sheriff! He's just a Sylvanian Eeee. Not the bug-chomping or fruit-sapping kind."

Jynx shrugs, and just nods to the Jupani. "I'll take your advice. Now, how about that room?" The Khatta looks at the wolf with tired eyes, "my associates and I are rather tired."

The wolf gives Jynx the keys. "Here. Your rooms are all prepared. Just up the stairs and you will find it easily enough."

The Khatta nods tiredly to the wolf, and takes the keys. He looks down at the trunk, and grimaces at the thought of lugging that upstairs. "Here, Scarlet, go check out our rooms. I need to rest a bit." He hands the keys to the small Aelfin, and walks over to a chair, plopping down.

The Aelfin nods, perhaps glad to be away from the disturbing Eeee, and disappears with quiet foot-pads up the stairs. Born-in-Shame goes along, flashing a sign, "Checking, too, just in case," to the Khatta.

The foppish fox proudly proclaims, "This is the hero I've been telling you about! And he's here to reclaim Blackshire Keep!"

Jynx just regards the two with a wave of the hand as they disappear, and turns his attention to the individuals in the room. He looks up to the fox, brow furrowed, "Reclaim? I take it you've told them my life's story already."

The foppish fox nods proudly. "As a matter of fact, I have! I was in the play, after all."

Farmer Poe caw-cackles to himself quietly.

The Skreek's nose wrinkles, and he peers out of his shadow to gaze at the black Khatta.

Jynx massages his temples, getting a good glance at the two Korvs and the Eeee. "Oh you were, were you?" He sighs, and leans back in the chair, noticing the Skreek out of the corner of his eye.

After only a short time upstairs the little Aelfin's staff can be heard thumping its way down. The green colored robe of the Aelfin can be seen shortly, followed by the keys in her hand and her happily smiling face. The little one walks from the stairs and hands him the keys. "Our rooms are quite cozy, I am glad to say," she tells him before walking over to another figure, the Eeee.

The Skreek – as black as the Aelfin is white – clambers down from his stool, and waddles over to the adventurers. He has a hunched back, and his face is slightly twisted, one eye squinted, and the other wide open. His ears seem unnaturally large for a Skreek, though he's nowhere cute enough to be a Skeek. "Y-yyou are … M-m-aaaster Kurai?" he says in a strange, nasally voice.

The black Khatta's eyes go wide, and his nostrils flare at the strange sight before him. "Uh… y-yes… I'm him. Can I, er, help you?"

"Yyyess, master! I am Ysnor … caretaker of Blackshire Keep! My family has held it for … several generaaaations, waiting for … for the return of the massster!" The rat seems to have such an eager gleam in his one good eye.

"Blackshire?" asks Jynx, ears perked up. "Well, that is where we're headed tomorrow." He sits up, and regards the strange Skreek with a puzzled look. "What do you know of Alysin? She's the one that left it to me."

The Aelfin peers over at her opposite, Ysnor, before turning back to the Sylvanian Eeee. "I am sorry I offended you, sir. It was not my intention, and I would like to extend the hand of friendship to you," she tells the black Eeee, smiling hopefully. A delicate white hand is extended towards the bat, fingers down: an offer to kiss her hand, it seems. It seems to be a gesture of trust given the Eeee's species.

Such manners are not alien even in these parts, and the sheriff dips his head to kiss the proffered hand. "That ees quite all right, gut child. I can unterstand your … deescomfort."

Ysnor bobs his head, but before he can reply, the old schoolmaster caws, "You'd be best to keep clear of Blackshire Keep. There's nothing worthwhile to be found there. Just trouble. Duchess Alysin ended up losing her mind on account of that place … and the Curse."

Jynx looks over at the Korv. "Well, I don't have anywhere else to go. You mean that's where she lost it at?" He blinks at the last part, "And what curse? What do you mean?"

"It is entirely my fault, honored Sheriff. I should not have let my nerves offend another. I suppose after casting such tiring spells and fending off such awful monsters my manners were drained, but I say this to inform you , not to make idle excuses." The Aelfin lets her hand trail down to her side where it takes the side of her robe in time with its counterpart and she curtsies. "I am Scarlet of Aelfhem, Water Mage Apprentice. How terribly rude of me not to say so sooner."

Head-nods and bows come in return. "Welcome to Blackshire Village," caws the farmer crow. "But I don't think you'll care to stay too long. You did pretty well to make it through the woods, really."

"We're good at taking care of ourselves," replies the cat. "But about that curse… What do you mean by it? Aunt Alysin's letter didn't say anything about it."

Schoolmaster Bookman caws, "The castle was built by a mage many, many years ago. Magic is woven into the stones. He sought too much power, I tell you. And … well … I won't venture to guess your aunt's motives … but perhaps she was hungry for power as well. You'd do best to just go home, really."

Farmer Poe nods. "Bad magic, I say. If we could destroy the place, we'd all be better off, I'm sure."

Ysnor wails, "Noooo! That's not true! Duke Phelix was a good man! Not eevil!"

Jynx arches a brow at the gathered company. "Magic in the stones?" He then looks to the Skreek, "Who's Phelix?" The feline fights confusion.

"That much magic? My, it must be pulsing with magical energy," suggests the Water Mage with a big smile. Her ears perk up a bit and she turns to Jynx. "Maybe there are magic books still there. Can I look at them if there are?" she asks him.

The foppish fox's ears perk up at the mention of books.

The Khatta looks down to Scarlet and shrugs. "Sure, if there are any."

Ysnor nods. "There is a whole laaaaboratory there!"

Jynx looks back to the Skreek. "Was Phelix some relative of mine or something?"

A whole laboratory, he says. Well. The Aelfin simply must know more. She scoots over to Ysnor seemingly not bothered by his appearance now. After all, he mentioned a laboratory. "A whole laboratory? How interesting! I had always wanted to see a laboratory outside the college. Our teachers rarely let us use their tools all that much," she tells the man.

"Yesssss," hisses the Skreek. "Duke Phelix was your … " He ponders, looking deep in thought, then finishes, "… ancestor!"

The schoolmaster shakes his head. "I guess I've heard enough for the night. A good evening to you all." He waddles for the door.

Farmer Poe nods. "I'd best be heading back, too. You heed the Schoolmaster's words, eh? There's only trouble out there."

The Khatta shivers. Phelix must not have been so reputable if he hung around with guys like this all the time. He turns his head to watch the Korvs exit, just giving them a wordless nod in return. The fur on Jynx's neck stands up at the eerieness of the whole situation, but his mind isn't changed just yet. He stretches, and gives a toothy yawn. "Well, I guess I'll get to find out for myself tomorrow."

The Skreek nods enthusiastically. "Yes … Ysnor will show you the way! Ysnor knows the way well!"

Sheriff Darken shakes his head. "So, you are really te young heir? Are you just comink by to claim what booty you can find … or are you plannink on stayink around?"

Just eyeing the Skreek with a puzzled expression, the Khatta turns to the Sheriff. "Yeah, I guess I'm the heir. And I guess I plan on staying around; I don't have anywhere else to go." The Khatta twitches his tail.

The Aelfin girl remains silent for a long while before she giggles a bit and shakes her head. "I forgot to ask what we were doing here at all," she tells anyone who can hear her high-pitched warm voice. Her staff thumps on the floor once before she looks up and over at Jynx. "I suppose I'll stay for a while too, if Master Kurai does not mind. Especially if there is a lab."

Darken frowns. "Do you mind if I see your papers, ten? I woult like to see tem, if you do not mind. We have not had a Duke here for a long time. A very long time."

"Certainly." Jynx pulls the folded map-deed from his pocket, and goes over to the trunk to retrieve the other papers provided by the Temple. Closing the trunk, walks over to the Eeee and hands him the documents. "That should be all of them. Aunt Alysin left the place to me in her will."

"My first trip to the surface, and I already serve a Duke," the Aelfin says proudly, standing a bit taller. Of course she only serves him because Eve paid her way, and the service is rather assumed by the girl, but it still seems to give her some measure of pride.

The sheriff looks over the papers. "Ah … Tis is most curious. It vut seem you are not a Duke … though you own te land. You did not inherit te title?"

The fox pipes up, "Duchess Kurai paid our way here, good Sheriff! She's most generous. And very wealthy, too!"

Jynx grimaces, "Well, sort of, but needless to say I'd rather go without the certain title I would have gotten according to the will." He shrugs, "But she was my aunt, so I'm not sure if I'm a duke or not."

The sheriff frowns. "Only one person inherits the title. Land and title should have gone together … but your aunt was very … disturbed."

The Khatta frowns as well, "I never met her, so I don't know how her mind worked. But she did leave all the land to me, with a few other items. I'm without a place to live at the moment, and the estate was very much a Starsend."

Through this all, Scarlet listens quietly, having nothing to say but highly interested in just exactly why Jynx is here.

"Ten I hope you enjoy your stay," says the sheriff, though there's something just a touch cold in the way he says it. "I am not sure by what title to call you, so I shall call you Master Kurai for now."

Jynx forces a courtesy smile to the Eeee, and stands up with a stretch. "Well, that works fine for me, sir. But if you'll excuse me, I'd like to hit the sack. We have to get up early tomorrow, and I'm bushed as it is."

A white lithe hand is extended towards the Sheriff, followed by a request from the Aelfin. "May I see that paper, sir? I am a tad curious, I admit," she asks him with her usual bright smile.

The sheriff nods, and hands the paper over to the Aelfin.

"I bid you a gut night, ten," says the sheriff, as he dons a wide-brimmed hat, and makes his way to the door. He nods to the lupine innkeeper on his way out.

The deed basically says that one Feli Kurai (no mention is made of gender) is the inheritor of Blackshire Keep, and the surrounding lands … which happen to encompass all of the Whispering Wood … including Blackshire Village.

There are several stamps and seals and attached documents that bear the sign of the Temple – and, more specifically, the Audit. There are several receipts attached, which suggest that the Khatta paid a fair sum for what he should have simply inherited! (Taxes, after all.)

"Good night to you as well," the Khatta replies to the Sheriff, as he quickly snatches the papers up from the Aelfin's hands. Stuffing them back in the trunk, he begins to haul the piece of heavy luggage up the stairs. "C'mon short stuff, time for all good kittens to be in bed." Slowly he makes his way upstairs, the trunk clunking behind him. He grumbles under his breath at the weight. "If the castle has a decent bed, no curse in the world can keep me away!"

"Nor I!" chimes in the fox. "And you, of course, need a bard, to sing your praises!" He prances up the stairs.

Scarlet's ears flatten when the paper is whipped from her little hands, and she stares at the empty space for a moment before snapping out of it. A delicate hand is lifted to wave to the innkeeper before the little one turns and walks over towards the stairs. "And you said this would be uneventful," the Aelfin teases Jynx as she heads up stairs.