After reviving Zahn, the explorers share snacks from the modest lunch Olivia had brought along, except for Dr. Pike, who provided her own munchies. All in all, it was a fairly pleasant way to spend the time while waiting for the monsters in the cavern outside to leave. At least, that was the outcome everyone was hoping for.

"Say, couldn't you use some of your alchemy action stuff and make one heck of a stink bomb to drive them away?" Zahnrad asks in between munchies. "You did say they had a strong sense of smell."

Olivia begins clearing away the scraps of waxed paper as the food quickly disappears. "That's a thought. Perhaps we could combine what's in the bathroom to add to the smell. There might be other things than pink soap in there."

"Well, I don't exactly have the necessary tools with me," Dr. Pike admits. "Plus, I have no idea what Gorts might find offensive. After all, they'll eat carrion and tend to live in areas that already reek of sulfur."

"Well, maybe fluffy, flowery, smells do," Zahnrad notes, then glances toward Olivia and Djivan. "We could throw them at the Gorts and see what happens?" He grins.

"Too bad Djivan's already bathed," Amelia offers. "I'm sure his undershorts could have driven them off." The Kadie smirks teasingly.

"You be so lucky to see my shorts some day," Djivan retorts to Amelia.

"Well, such a flowery scent wouldn't be offensive, it simply wouldn't register as 'food' to the Gorts," Pike notes. "But they'd hear them moving, and moving things are food."

Olivia sighs after Pike answers. "Once Zahn put forth his idea, I was rather hoping you'd have some elements that might make substances fizz over or explode on impact. I'd thought that soap frothing up everywhere might get the Gorts' attention!"

The Eeee woman can only shrug apologetically. "I don't know what might get their attention, other than food. Gorts haven't been extensively studied, beyond noting that they are very strong, very hungry, and blind."

Zahnrad hmms. "Well, study now. We have a strong door between us. We could try some things," he suggests. "If you don't experiment, you'll never know. Just like if you don't build a prototype, you have no idea if your design would really work."

Amelia hmms as well, and looks back to the door. "I guess we should open the door a bit to see if they're still around then," she suggests.

Zahnrad gets to his feet. "I'll check," he says.

Olivia looks at Zahn. "D'you want me to ransack the whole bathroom and see what scented things I can come up with? I mean, if they're still there, that is."

Zahn nods. "Please do. If the Doc won't try things, I will. Maybe I can rig up a clockwork thing to scurry around and lure them off. I'll need to check the moldy room too," he says.

Holding her halberd in one hand and a throwing knife in the other, Amy gets up to follow Zahn… just in case.

Olivia okays and waits for the 'Gort-or-no-Gort' verdict…

"You're making ne nervous with that thing," Zahnrad notes to Amelia. He slinks up to the door and tries to open it very slightly.

"They're supposed to make people nervous," Amelia says.

As soon as the door is slid open a bit, a large scaly paw forces its way through, followed by a thick arm. The arm sweeps the door open the rest of the way, and pins Zahn back against the wall, nearly knocking the breath out of him. A huge reptilian head pokes in next, and turns to gape a jaw filled with conical teeth at the Kadie, while the Gort's fetid breath washes across his face. The monster then begins to collapse, after sprouting a black knife-hilt from its right temple.

Before it can even hit the ground, Amelia is leaping over it and out into the cavern.

"Ackpththt! Oof!" grunts Zahnrad as he's squished against the wall. Growling, he pushes against the door, trying to push it off him.

Olivia starts backward at the appearance of the Gort, then snatches up the thin blade that Amy pulled out of her hair; the one she'd been cutting apples with. Then she gathers her courage and goes to help the Kadie boy push the creature off him.

"I guess dey still out dere," Djivan notes from where he's sitting. "Ugly t'ing."

The dead Gort is heavy, but it isn't hard for Zahn to get free of the arm. The door is unfortunately blocked by the rest of the creature's body though.

"Will someone move that blasted thing?" Zahn growls from behind the door. "Get off your butt, rat, and help." Djivan shrugs at that and gets to his feet so he can help Olivia try and move the corpse.

Olivia grimaces once but leans all of her weight against the Gort, trying to push it back outside and unblock the door.

"G'wan, Gort," Djivan mutters as he steps up and puts his weight into pushing on the corpse too.

Dr. Pike rushes up to help, but stands frozen as she looks out the door over the monster's body. The others manage to get the torso lifted up and moving without her though.

"If Amy… can't take all of these Gorts out… " Olivia pants, pushing hard, "I wonder if… they eat their own kind? Can we… throw some of this thing to them?"

Zahnrad pushes his way out from behind the door when it's clear enough. "All right, Amelia, that's quite … Amelia?" Zahnrad says, just now realizing Amy isn't there. He looks out the door.

The scene outside is somewhat surreal. Three pale Gort bodies are already splayed out on the ramp leading up from the boat landing, while the dark form of Amy seems to be dancing between the remaining pair. The Kadie skips and spins, the economy of motion making her seem to be slow, while her weapons sweeps around her… much like her performance at the Frog Princess competition. The heavy stone cudgel at one end of the halberd caves in the side of the nearer Gort's skull, while in the same motion the long iron-edged blade at the opposite end slices through the throat of the Gort behind Amy. The dance ends in a crouch, with the girl's left hand touching the ground while her weapon is cradled in her right arm, and the only thing still moving is her wildly twitching tail.

Zahnrad just blinks. "Maybe ve should close the door and lock 'er out," Djivan suggests. "She dangerous."

Olivia manages to gape and pant at the same time. "Well… uh… no need to resort to what I said. Quite, um… unnecessary now… "

Even more amazingly, Amelia's clothes survived relatively intact, with just a few burst seams here and there.

"I should reconsider who I hang out with," Zahnrad mumbles quietly, then shakes his head.

Olivia takes a tentative step or two forward. "Can you see any more, Amy?" she calls just loudly enough for the Kadie girl to hear. "Clear?"

"Given the circumstances," Dr. Pike says to Zahnrad, "perhaps you shouldn't."

Panting, Amelia gets back to her feet and looks down the canal-tunnel. "I don't see or hear any coming," she reports. "But the smell will attract more eventually. Are we ready to leave now?"

"Are you nuts? What if she gets mad at me?" Zahnrad says to Dr. Pike. "I'd last even less time than they did."

"We will be as soon as I re-pack my bag. Shouldn't take more than a minute," Olivia calls.

"Oh, I'm sure if she lost her temper, she'd be too distracted to kill anyone," Pike reasons. "Otherwise the town would be littered with bodies by now, wouldn't it?"

Zahnrad goes to try and get the corpse the rest of the way out of the door. He's not about to leave this room unlocked. Not when he's got things to diagram later.

"Don't forget to pull out my knife, Zahn," Amelia calls up, and picks out the largest of the detached Gort heads to take as a trophy.

Olivia quickly goes about putting the rest of her things away, then ties up the flap of her sack. After wiping the thin blade of the knife clean on her sleeve, she approaches Amy and holds it back out to her, handle first. "Here. I think this will be much more useful in your hands than mine."

Zahnrad ughs, "Leave the head, please. We do not need that in the boat." Grimacing, he yanks the knife out once he's moved the corpse enough.

Amy smiles to Olivia and places the knife back into her hair, then pouts at Zahn. "No way, I'm keeping at least one of these heads. I bet Igor could preserve and mount it for me."

Stepping gingerly around the bodies, Pike makes her way down the ramp. "Oh, yes… he's a very good taxidermist," she comments.

Olivia grumbles at this. "That figures!"

"That's gross," Zahnrad remarks. He waits for the Doctor and Djivan to leave the apartment, then shuts the door behind them. He makes his way down too, and offers the knife back to Amy.
After accepting the other knife back, Amelia shakes her trophy to get more of the blood out of it, since she doesn't have anything to wrap it in.

Zahnrad keeps his distance from the head. "You are not taking that into my cabin," he says.

"I'll leave it with Igor then," Amelia agrees, then adds, "But I bet Gunther would really like one. Sure you don't want to pick one up for him?"

"No," Zahnrad grumbles. "He needs no encouragement. He needs to quit trying to be some sort of warrior, anyway."

"He's made some very clever weapons though," Amelia says, and goes down to the boat.

"He's what?" Zahnrad asks, eyes narrowing.

Djivan just shrugs and makes his way to the boat. "I t'ink de date is over, eh?" he remarks to Olivia in passing.

Olivia sighs again, trailing after the others. "And that figures, too. He couldn't be satisfied with just spears, oh no… "

Pike takes up her position in the back of the boat, and picks up the pole-oar. Amy sits in the front again, holding her weapon and resting her trophy in her lap. "Well, he's a Kettenrad. He's going to invent things along his line of interest," Amy notes. "There's no reason to be upset."

"Until he blows someone up," Olivia says with a lopsided grin.

"We don't need to be building weapons. The town has enough issues trusting us, which no one will explain to me. We don't need more," Zahnrad notes and sits in the back of the boat this time.

Djivan just shakes his head. "Vou all are nutso," he remarks, then drapes his arm around Olivia.

"So far, I've only seen Zahn work with things that explode," Amy says. Her fur is still bristled and her tail still twitchy, as the adrenalin hasn't worn off yet.

Olivia leans into Djivan's half-embrace. "Don't worry. There's still time for that," she remarks mildly, still grinning.

"The explosions were force experiments for drive systems," Zahnrad mutters and glowers.

With everyone aboard, Pike unmoors the boat and turns it around, then sends it into the canal. The Eeee's ears are perked attentively forward, straining to hear any odd splashes or other warning signals.

"I suppose we're heading out now? Back to the water elevator?" Zahnrad asks and glances at Dr. Pike.

"Yes," Pike squeaks. "I don't think we're really prepared to explore further at this time," she notes, and turns the boat towards the elevator when they reach the canal intersection.

"It should be the first left to head to the exit," Zahnrad notes and peers around.

Djivan, meanwhile, has started kissing along Olivia's neck … loudly.

Olivia tweaks the gypsy's nose for that. "Not that I don't adore you, dear, but that should wait until we're alone," she teases, glancing at the others.

"I wonder why they didn't put those light panels in the tunnels," Amelia says, as the approach the elevator shaft.

"They'd have to dig through the rock. I imagine it's very difficult, so why waste the work on simple tunnels?" Zahnrad points out.

Djivan piffles. "Bah, love never wai'! No do snoggin'," he says, then does just that! Well, until Zahnrad leans forward and whacks the back of Djivan's head. "You're shaking the boat," he grouses.

Olivia mouths a silent 'Sorry!' to Zahn, then giggles and tweaks Djivan's nose again – although a little harder this time. "You see? I did try to warn you!"

The ride UP the water elevator is a bit more harrowing then the ride down, as water pours down from sluices high above to make for rough water.

Djivan snorts, humphs, and turns his nose up. Well, until they start going up anyway. Zahnrad just seems interested in the water piping and doesn't seem disturbed by the rough water.

At the top of the shaft, the door slides open to let them into their home canal, and Pike picks up the pace of her poling, especially as they approach the landing that leads into the chalk caves.

"We could try exploring those caves again," Zahn suggests as they get close…

"Uh, no," Olivia retorts. "I don't want another dead bunny thrown at me!"

"Maybe Igor could stuff it and mount it," Zahnrad mutters from the back of the boat.

"I think we know they're part of the Chalk warrens," Amelia says. "Poking around would get us into real trouble if we're caught."

"Eh, I'll come back later, then. I need to get into the lower levels anyway," Zahnrad says with a shrug. Djivan considers this, then says, "Oh, I get it, de Kadie mus' have a t'ing for cute bunnies if he wan to get into their warren."

This gets Djivan another whack on the back of the head.

The boat moves past the darkened landing quickly, and nothing jumps out to suck their blood or otherwise disturb them.

Olivia's eyes flash now. "Okay, if you two want to insult each other and duke it out afterwards, be my guest, but NOT while we're in a boat that could capsize, please!"

Pike seems to calm down as they get closer to the castle landing, and even gives a sigh of relief when the well-lit area comes into view. "I really could use some calming tea," she remarks.

"I need to get home and work on my workshop," Zahnrad remarks absently. "I have several nights of night watch and maintenance on the dam in store for me. So, I won't have time to do anything in the shop soon."

"Maintenance on the dam itself?" Amelia asks, as the boat glides to a stop at the landing. Atop the short set of stairs, Igor stands ready, holding a platter with a steaming kettle and several teacups.

Olivia exchanges a meaningful glance with Amy. "Well, see how much your brother has been able to do first. Perhaps your dad was able to pitch in, too? Or some of your other relatives?"

"Of course. It takes a lot of work to keep running. The water and mud really stress it," Zahnrad says and gets ready to get out of the boat. "Them? No, probably not. It's not like the clan is huge. We're spread thin. We don't much get along, anyway."

Pike glares at Igor and the tea, and mutters, "One of these days, I'll figure out how he does this… "

Olivia shrugs and gives the Kadie girl another look, as if to say, Well, I tried!

"Oh, it easy how he does it," Djivan tells Pike. "Skreeks kin read minds," he says, winks, and gets out of the boat. He offers his hand to Olivia.

Amelia just nods to Olivia, and wears a serious expression. She nearly forgets that she has a head in her lap, and has to grab it by the nostrils at the last moment before it goes overboard.

Olivia takes the gypsy's hand and climbs out of the boat, rolling her eyes heavenward. "Uh… huh."

The Eeee frowns at the gypsy for a moment, then takes a cup of tea from Igor. "Ah, impeccable timing as always, Igor," she says. "Amelia has a little project for you, if you have the time?"

"Oh yeth, I thall be pleathed to pretherve and mount that monthter head for her," Igor says, without actually being told.

"I'm one of the few that sees in the dark," Zahn explains as he gets out. "So, I usually get the night shifts at the dam. And, most of the work has to be done then, anyway. The mills are shut down at night."

"See?" is all Djivan says, then grins.

Olivia smiles a little at Djivan but her eyes dart to Igor, a darkly thoughtful expression in them.

"Well, I'll keep you company then Zahn," Amelia states. "It's dangerous to be out alone on the dam."

Zahnrad waves his hand. "You have to get up early and train and all that. I've been doing this for years, I can deal," he says dismissively.

"But, you can explain to me how it all works if I'm there," Amelia offers, handing her Gort head over to Igor.

"I can explain that when I'm not working too," Zahnrad points out. "Plus, the quiet gives me time to think and work out designs while I go through the drudge pace."

Olivia turns to the gypsy as the others are talking and whispers, "Actually, once this little party of ours breaks up, d'you mind if I walk you back to your camp? There are a few more things I'd like to ask Madame Natasha, if she's willing."

"I can sit and watch quietly," Amelia says, as the group gathers at the little elevator-closet. "I enjoy watching you work."

"Hmm? Oh, sure, dat prolly fine. Hopefully Natasha vill be up for company," Djivan whispers to Olivia. "I better check up on de winged annoyance an make sure she been behavin'."

Zahnrad pauses, considers, then asks, "Since when have you watched me work? That five minutes you were there for the staff?"

"There was the night of the storm when you got hurt too," Amelia notes.

Olivia grins at Djivan. "Well, you could do that, but I'm willing to bet she might be a bit more shook up by that episode at the dam, rather than by Liliana."

"That wasn't much work, though," Zahnrad notes, then just shrugs. "But if you want, I guess. I think it's supposed to rain soon, though. The weather has sure felt like it."

"Oh, I no worried about Liliana shakin' her up. More just Lily bein' Lily," Djivan notes.

"What, does she usually try to annoy your fortune-teller?" Olivia asks, quirking an eyebrow at him.

"No. She teases de guys of de towns. An some of dem can be persistent," Djivan says flatly.

Once everyone is back up at ground level, Amelia asks Zahn, "Is it really necessary to do the work in the rain though?"

"Yes. If the dam breaks, the mills stop, and so on. Or worse, if the dam fails, we flood," Zahnrad notes and stretches. "Service is service, weather is incidental."

Olivia ahs and shakes her head. "Yeah… I could see her doing that. In fact, I did see her do that. When I got an otter dropped on me. Ow."

"An dat would be why. At least it vas only one otter, eh? Coulda been half a dozen," Djivan points out.

"Thankfully, there were only a few at the bar that day," Olivia notes.

"Das good, ves," Djivan says and nods sagely.

"Well, I'd like to thank you all for coming along today," Dr. Pike says. "But if you'll excuse me, I have to finish examining some… samples… I took earlier this morning. I'll let you know when I have things ready for another spelunking expedition."

"Thanks for being our guide and fixing up the boat to do this," Olivia says, smiling.

"Oh, ah, sorry for babbling on, Dr. Pike. We've kept you too long," Zahnrad says and nods lightly to Dr. Pike. He checks that he has all his things and lifts his pack onto his shoulder. "Have a good evening."

As Pike retreats to her laboratory, Igor leads everyone to the door, and promises to have the head mounted within a few days. The group finds itself on the road again, heading south back towards town. And up ahead, it looks like two figures are approaching them as well.

"Great, more people," Zahnrad mutters and peers ahead on the road. "Weird looking, too."

Olivia squints down the road and tries to get a better look at the two…

One of the figures is tall, and shows a lot a bright red coloration, while the second is quite a bit shorter and paler. It doesn't take long before they're close enough to be recognized as the strange bird-man the Gypsies brought, and either Parsley or Clover Chalk.

"Oh, it's just that guy you had in your room for a few days," Zahnrad notes to Olivia. Djivan's eyes narrow and he mutters, "Vou had a guy in vour room for days an it wasn' me?"

Olivia starts and asks no one in particular, "Axel? I wonder what's going on now? Goodness, I hope he hasn't set himself on fire again or something… "

Far from looking burnt, the avian man shows signs of having recently been subject to water. His hair looks matted and damp, but at least his feathers look clean and bright. He walks with the Lapi's hand in his and seems to be talking to her.

"That must be Parsley," Amelia says. "Clover would never hold hands with someone so… uh… different."

Olivia waves to the pair as they all draw closer. "Hello there," she says politely, looking Axel over. "Have you been all right since I left you with Isolde? You look pretty good, anyway," she remarks.

Djivan stands up taller and tries to look, well, like a dangerous rat. "An' what dis about vou bein in my girlfriend's room, hmm?" he asks.

"Oh, what luck," Parsley says, smiling to everyone. "We were just on our why to try and find you Zahn."

Zahnrad … just shakes his head. "Er, find me? Why?" Zahn asks, head stopped in mid-shake.

Axel turns his head when Olivia addresses him and he stares at her with his usual intensity – or perhaps obliviousness – before answering, "I have not been all right, but it is better now. I'm more concerned with Zahnrad though." He blinks at Djivan and, apparently thinking his motion is some sort of greeting, stands on his toes too. "I stayed with Olivia when I was told by witches to remain in Stonebarrow."

Olivia turns and pats the gypsy's hand comfortingly. "It's not like that, Djivan," she explains. "One of our village witches asked me to look after Axel for a while, is all. No romance involved. Just like he said."

"What is with everyone worrying about me all of a sudden?" Zahnrad blurts out, looking rather annoyed now.

"Why do you want to see Zahn?" Amelia asks, looking between the Lapi and the… Axel.

"I have learned the spirits may mean you harm, Zahnrad. I mean to speak with them," Axel answers the Kadie boy.

Olivia rubs her temples a bit and give Amy a wry look. "Hmm, guess it's all coming out now… " she mutters in an undertone.

"Oh!" Parsley says, her ears folding back at Zahn's outburst. "Um, it's about your brother, Gunther. There was… a sort of incident… where he was really helping us but got into trouble because of it… "

"What the heck are you talking about?" Zahnrad asks. "Who spirits what?" He also looks at Amelia, and his eyes narrow. "You know something I don't, don't you," he says, then his head snaps over to Parsley, "And now something about my brother! All right, all of you, tell me what is going on. Now."

Axel leans forward towards Djivan and peers at him curiously, sniffing as he answers, "A member of your community said that you may be in danger Zahnrad. She was brutal about it. I don't understand her." He sniffs a little more and remarks, "You smell pretty."

"Well, Madame Natasha said… " Amelia begins, just as Parsley says, "We were at the hot springs, there was an accident sort of, and I got heat-stroke, and we were trying to get to the lake… "

Olivia looks around the group. "Lots of things going on here," she remarks, cutting through the clamor and trying to keep her tone as calm as possible. "Perhaps we should start with what's happened to Gunther, since that seems to be the most immediate problem… ?" She then turns her eyes to Parsley.

Amy snaps her mouth closed, hoping Parsley's news will at least distract Zahn from the other stuff…

Zahnrad raises his hand, then just sighs. "All right. What exactly did Gunther do? How does this have anything to do with heat stroke?" he asks.

Parsley seems to cringe in the sudden silence and attention, then says, "Uh, we were trying to get to the lake to cool off, but didn't really know the way through your compound, and Gunther found us. When he saw how bad off I was, he brought us to some strange room with a sort of indoor… bath… and cooled us off."

Axel leans away from Djivan and turns towards Parsley, looking, well, strange as usual, but also possibly guilty. His wings sag and he frowns unhappily.

Zahnrad watches Parsley with a quiet, intense, gaze. "The experimental tub and piping system connected near the archive? He took you through the archive?" Zahnrad asks, tone hard.

Olivia's gaze now switches to Zahn. "Okay, so what's wrong with that? What am I missing here?"

"It was closer, he said," Parsley explains. "Then when he was taking us back out, your cousin Deirdra caught us and said Gunther would be kicked out because of it."

"He may have saved Parsley's life," Axel interjects.

Amelia looks similarly confused. "So, he's in trouble for saving Parsley's life? That doesn't make any sense at all," she says.

Zahnrad rubs his temples. "The archive is the repository of everything the Wingnut clan has ever designed, built, or worked on. It goes back generations. The location is supposed to be known only to us. The existence is supposed to be known only to us," Zahnrad explains and shakes his head. "He violated a tenet and trust of the clan. Regardless of reasons, it will have to go to a clan vote on his fate. The worst would be exile. Which is better than what used to be the worst punishment, at least. There will likely be a meeting early evening. I'll have to attend. I have to vote as well."

"That's just a formality though, right?" Amelia asks. "They wouldn't really punish him? I mean, every clan keeps a library, and it's not like anything in yours could actually be used by anyone else."

Olivia looks absolutely stunned. "You mean," she says in a very small voice, "that you may have to vote to kick your own brother out of the clan? Oh no!"

"It is strange to me that your clan may value your records so highly above the welfare of both Parsley and Gunther," the bird-man remarks. His wings flutter, causing them to puff a bit, and he tilts his head. "If something should happen to Gunther I will do what I can to protect him."

"Amelia … it has blueprints to every tunnel, device, waterway, the dam, all the inner workings, everything. Do you realize how compromised the town would be if any of that got out? They would know every point to attack in the town infrastructure. Where poisons could be introduced into water supplies," Zahnrad explains. "It's a matter of security and it's a matter of trust." He then looks at Olivia and nods, "Yes, I will. Two generations ago, though, it would have been a vote on execution. So, at least it's not as bad as that."

"But, it was just Parsley… and everyone trusts Parsley," Amelia points out, conveniently forgetting Axel for the moment.

"And an outsider," Zahnrad says and points towards Axel.

Axel looks momentarily surprised when Zahnrad points at him, then he just looks even more guilty. Staring at the boy in the way he is prone to do he carries that non-comprehending air, at least until he says, "Would punishing me help Gunther's situation?"

"But, Amy's right, isn't she?" Parsley asks Zahn. "Your clan wouldn't really vote to exile Gunther, would they? I can see Deirdra voting against him, but… "

Olivia looks to Parsley and nods. "That's a good point. You said yourself that the Wingnut clan was already spread thin, so you might have a hint at the outcome already, if there aren't too many votes to cast. How do you think the others will vote, Zahn? Can we get a picture of Gunther's odds?"

"And exiling him would just bring attention to the whole archive thing," Amy points out. "And there are probably people in town that still think the Wingnuts are too big a security risk to have that stuff… "

"The few families in the clan don't exactly get along. And, Gunther's always been a bit of a wild child, more so than the rest of us," Zahnrad explains and rubs the back of his neck now. "I'd say the chances are about 50/50 he would be exiled. The clan is somewhat fractured. Has been for years."

Olivia thinks furiously. "So a passionate speech one way or another could totally swing the vote. That's the risk of a fractured entity – it's too based in emotions." Then she glances at Axel and smiles weakly. "While I'm not too keen on Axel – or Parsley, for that matter – being punished for something they didn't know was wrong, would testimony from either of them help Gunther's case?"

"If it matters at all, I am under an … ," Axel blanks for a few seconds as he seems to try to find the word, seemingly unaware of his surroundings while be briefly looks inward, " … agreement with Stonebarrow not to bring harm to the village. The witches, and this place, will punish me. It has already been agreed upon."

Axel inclines his head to Olivia, "I am willing to endure whatever you need to save Gunther's future."

"I don't know that we'd be allowed to talk," Parsley says. "Even if the Wingnuts allow it, my own clan may forbid me. Clans aren't supposed to interfere with each other's internal politics."

"But I am not part of any clan. I am only a … " another blanking by the bird-thing, " … relation to this place."

"Well, if the witches vouch for Axel, that could be a big argument against Gunther actually putting anything at risk," Amelia notes.

"No, Olivia, they can't speak. The clan meeting is for clan only. If any of you came, it would worsen the situation," Zahnrad says as he shakes his head, then nods to Parsley. "Well, I'm sure it'll be … a lively discussion. Given it was to save a life, it may weigh in his favor, at least. We'll see."

"Yeah, it's not like he let in an otter," Amy says, trying to sound hopeful.

"I didn't touch anything, I don't even remember the way there. I wasn't able to be there at the time. I was distracted," the bird-man explains.

"And I was delirious," Parsley adds.

Olivia's face falls and her head goes down a little at the news. "In that case, all that we can do is try to help Gunther after the worst occurs, and if it occurs. Not my first option, of course, but it looks like the only option. We'll wait on the news… maybe I can be of some help… maybe."

"Zahn, just remind the clan that their secret hasn't gotten out yet, but if they exile Gunther then it probably will," Amelia urges.

"Like I said, we'll have to debate it tonight. I'll pose the points you suggested," Zahnrad says and sighs. He then looks between the others and says, "And that's not all you had to tell me, is it?"

"As much as I dislike the idea I am more willing to do what helps Gunther. Perhaps if we were to suggest we would reveal the information if Gunther is punished. Reason: the clan can no longer be trusted if they punish those who seek to place the welfare of the community beneath their own secrets," suggests Axel hesitantly.

"Well, Deirdra babbled something about Zahn being marked for death… " Parsley says, then freezes when she catches Amy's glare. "Err, but it may just have been to upset Gunther more, from the way she said it… "

"I wouldn't do that, Axel," Zahnrad says, eyes narrowing.

As serious as the current situation is, Olivia wheels around and eyes the bird-man with renewed interest. "You know," she says slowly, "you're making a lot more sense now than you did with me days ago. You'll have to tell me about that. Soon. All right?"

"You don't downplay a hypothetical threat by offering a genuine one, Axel," Amelia says, using words one doesn't normally hear from her. Perhaps because they have military connotations as well.

Zahnrad looks at Parsley, then Amelia. "Explain this marked for death comment, please," he says flatly.

Amelia scratches at her cheek, and says, "You'd probably take it the wrong way, Zahn."

"I'm about to take it the wrong way right now," Zahnrad growls.

"I would, as from what you say these secrets may be held above Gunther's welfare. Know that I know nothing. I do not know any of your secrets, none of any danger to you. I am worried about Gunther. I have seen that girl's hate. It does not sit well with me," the bird man says. His wings flutter in discomfort under the attention, but he presses on anyway. To Amelia he offers, "I'm sorry Amelia, I don't want Gunther to suffer."

Olivia says very gently to the Kadie girl, "If you want to field this one somewhere more private, I can go on with Djivan to the gypsy's camp. Or would you like moral support here?"

Amy looks to Olivia, then says, "Well, Dame Natasha, the leader of the gypsies, had this vision before they even got to Stonebarrow. It was of someone… sort of falling, in the rain… and, uh, calling my name." She gives Olivia a 'please stay here' look.

Olivia nods and smiles a little at Amelia, staying firmly where she is.

Zahnrad looks between Olivia and Amelia. "All right, it involves some sort of gypsy voodoo. And falling. You're still not telling me all of it," he says flatly. "Where does death fall in?"

"Anyway," Amelia goes on, "when she came to the dam the other day, it was sort of to confirm the person's identity and the severity of things. And… well, she said it was definitely you, Zahn. That death was stalking you."

"And you believe her?" Zahnrad asks.

"Tell him," Olivia says quietly to Djivan.

"She knew who I was before I even met her," Amy says.

"Natasha does see these things, Zahnrad," Djivan says at the prompting of Olivia. "Tis why our tribe is shunned. No one likes those who see de disasters coming. It's her curse."

Zahnrad is quiet at this. He chews his lip and looks at the ground, considering. "So, this is why you moved in, then, isn't it?" he asks, voice quiet. "And why you won't let me be alone. You're watching out for the village."

"I see," Axel says quietly. He frowns, looking off in to the sky with a thoughtful expression, brows narrowed.

"The village?" Amy asks, looking surprised, then nods! "Right, yeah, for the village! And… uh… for you. And your mom. If Deirdra knows about the vision, then your mom might find out, and who knows what that would do to her though… "

"However, I noticed that all Natasha could see was the falling, and hear you calling out Amelia's name," Olivia says in as steady a voice as she can muster. "She didn't say anything about what happened after. So we're doing all we can to make a good outcome from this. There are so many possibilities in seeing the future, as Natasha said to me once. Perhaps we can make a more acceptable outcome from this situation… one that doesn't involve death."

"Ah, yes," Zahnrad remarks, then shrugs. "I should have realized it, actually. The evidence was staring me in the face. Heh."

"What?" Amy asks, suddenly confused by Zahn's reaction. "What evidence? Is there something wrong with the dam that you know about?"

"No, with the way you've been acting. I thought it was because you ca… oh, never mind," Zahnrad says and waves his hand. "I need to get home. I want to get the issue with Gunther settled out, before I start my shift on the dam … alone." And with that he just starts walking back towards town.

"Wait, you can't be alone!" Amelia says, and hurries after Zahn.

"Yes, I can. I'm not helpless. I know I'm no Blacktail warrior, and that I'm from the pariah clan of the town, but I can take care of myself," Zahnrad says. He never looks at Amelia; he just looks straight ahead.

Axel snaps out of his apparent daydreaming to stare at Zahnrad as he begins to walk off, and at first he begins to follow. Then he stops suddenly, frowns, and tells Parsley, "I need to be alone too. There is something I need to ask someone." And then he, too, walks off.

"Don't… don't get lost!" Parsley calls after Axel, as he wanders off.

Olivia lets the Kadies go, staring after them in mute anguish. Then after a moment, she asks Parsley, without looking at her, "Do you happen to know where Axel is staying now? Is he still with the witches?"
"Oh, he's staying out in the fields with Kalvin the Shepherd," Parsley says, looking concerned. "You know, the boy with the antlers?"

Olivia ahs in a soft voice. "Yes, I remember him. Thank you. I wanted to know because I may need to ask something of Axel, if things go badly for Gunther. I might need Axel's… support… if I'm to help him. Anyway," she says more loudly, coming out of her daze and taking Djivan's hand again, "shall we go back to your camp?"

Djivan lets out a long breath. "Ves, let's get back to camp. I don' t'ink I can take any more drama today," he says to Olivia, then hugs her. After a moment, he too starts walking down the road.

Parsley fidgets a moment, watching the bird-man walk into the woods, Olivia and Djivan head down the road, and further on, Zahn walking alone with Amelia marching behind him. Finally, the Lapi turns north, and heads for the bridge. She still needs to find Kalvin, at least…