Gypsy Camp
Just across the Milk Run Bridge from Stonebarrow, this flat, clear area has been set aside for travelers and merchants. Two freshwater wells are on site, along with a large map of the area and some bathroom facilities next to the swamp (where nobody will notice the smell). Currently, the area is temporary home to the Shadows Walk gypsy tribe. There colorful wagons are more or less centered on a central bonfire pit, and various lines run between the tops of the wagons to dry clothes or hang blankets to create larger private areas. The smell of various types of cooking keeps the odor of the swamp at bay.

Olivia had been on the way back to the Mint Dam, to take Gunther home before he caused any more trouble that day… until she and the Kadie were ambushed by a group of bored otters, Nene and Bebe among them. Very quickly, they separated the two and scooped up Gunther, carrying him away over their heads as he tried – quite unsuccessfully – to fight them all off at once. Hanging back for a moment, Bebe whispered into Olivia's ear, "Don't worry, we won't embarrass him… much. And we'll have him home in time for dinner, too!" Then she disappeared into the brush in the wake of Gunther's diminishing curses and shouts.

Olivia just stares after the marauding band of Kadie-hunting otters for a minute, blinking and clearing her throat. "Well, um, er," she stammers, to no one in particular. "I guess I'll have time to talk to Bravil, after all!" So she turns her steps towards the gypsy camp.

Coming along the road towards the gypsy camp is another familiar face: Amelia. The Kadie has a long, wrapped bundle resting on one shoulder, and she waves to Olivia with her free arm.

Olivia runs to catch up with her friend and smiles. "Hi, Amelia. Are you going to practice your sword-fighting today?" she asks, eyeing the Kadie's bundle.

"Maybe!" Amelia answers. "At least, I'm going to talk to Viktor about it, since he offered to train me. You wanted to talk to him about Bosch, didn't you?"

Olivia nods and for a moment, looks a little troubled. "I do… if I can get him to open up about it. I'm sure it won't be an easy thing for him to talk about."

Amelia hmms. "Well, I suppose it depends on what you ask about, really. It's not like you'll be asking personal stuff, right?"

"No, not at all," Olivia replies quickly. "I mean, if he ever wanted to tell me anything personal, that's fine, but it's up to him. I really just want to find out if he knows anything about this Underground Empire of Moltpaa."

"He might not know anything," Amy points out. "That's on the other side of Bosch after all. Unless there was contact with Chronotopia before Bosch got really bad."

"Yeah, this could be a complete dead-end," Olivia agrees mildly, "but Viktor knows the best of anyone here about Bosch and Chronotopia. So I have to try. And even if it doesn't work out, I'll still have the fun of watching you two practice!"

The camp has the usual amount of activity for an early afternoon. Some of the older folks are busily hanging laundry out to dry in the afternoon breeze. Children are chasing each other around the wagons. And … Liliana is busily instructing her dancers near the edge of the camp. One would almost think Olivia times her visits to when the bat is busy. The only thing different in the camp is that Viktor's wagon has moved closer to Natasha's. And oh, yeah, Dijvan darting through camp and trying to hide behind things with a bundle of papers in his arms is pretty strange, too.

"Is that your boyfriend acting like Gunther?" Amy whispers to Olivia. "Do you think he's jealous or something?"

Olivia glances over her shoulder and says to Amelia, "Um… why don't you go ahead to Viktor's wagon, I'll catch you up in a minute, okay?" Then she turns and tries to get close to Djivan to see what he could possibly be doing.
Amelia nods to Olivia and heads for the recently moved wagon. She can't help but smirk a bit to see that's closer to Natasha's now.

It's really hard to get close to a rat who's deliberately darting and sneaking through camp. The best she seems to be able to do is keep pace with him. If Olivia had to guess, though, he's heading towards the dancers.

The glow showing through the curtains in Viktor's wagon implies the wolf is home, at least.

Olivia continues to follow the Skreek as best she can, hoping to find out what he's up to. Could be another prank… he and Lili are always trying to one-up each other, she thinks.

When Djivan gets close enough, he goes 'psst!' and flicks his tail out from behind a barrel. Apparently he's trying to get Liliana's attention. Luckily for him, bats have amazing hearing. In short order, Liliana is walking towards his hiding spot. "Vhat is vour proble' today?" she calls out to him.

"Ssh! Not so loud," Djivan complains, "Jus get over 'ere!"

Olivia ducks behind a nearby crate to avoid being seen. She perks up her ears to try and catch everything they're saying, her curiosity piqued.
"Yer bein' veird again," Liliana notes to Djivan as she slips behind the wagon with the rat. She seems to look to the papers in his arms and then asks, "Dat dem?"

Dijivan hands over the papers, careful to not let anyone else see them. "Ves, dis is dem. T'ink de deisgn vill vork for her?" the rat asks.

Olivia's mind shoots off in all kinds of directions. What design… and who is this woman they're talking about?

Liliana seems to turn the papers this way and that. "Ves, dis seems fitting fer de Troll Queen," Liliana notes, "I sure she appreciate it. Vou hav' talked t' her about it, no? She agree an all?"

Olivia covers her mouth with one hand as it drops open. Trolls have queens? And Djivan's talked to her?

"Well, no … no' yet," Djivan admits, "But I sure she agree! No one kin kin resist my requests."

"Mmmhmm," Liliana says appreciatively. "Vell, I no gonna start on dis till I know she agree. It no like custom fitted stuff kin be reused. You gots to ask 'er an bring 'er by for measurements."

This last reply of Liliana's now succeeds in confusing the Skeek completely. There has to be something I'm missing here, she thinks, rubbing her temples. Lili usually only makes frilly underthings and barely-there dancewear. Somehow, I can't see a troll wearing anything like that!

"Yeah, vell, she seems t' be scared of vou, vou know. She always run off vhen vou come around," Djivan complains, "It no easy to just bring er' by."

At that, Liliana grins widely. "She jus' scared oh de kiss, is all. Vou kin tell her I promise to no snog her that day," the bat comments.

"Vhat if she no believe me?" Djivan asks. "Mebbe we kin borrow a muzzle from Pike t' show 'er vou safe."

Olivia throws back her head and laughs to herself without making a sound. Ohhhhh… NOW I get it. This must be some sort of surprise Djivan's planning for me. Although I'm going to have to find a way to get him back for that 'Troll Queen' remark!

"Pfft, you jus' vant t' see me in a muzzle. Vou vere always weird about t'ings like dat!" Liliana says with a laugh. She even leans over and pushes his shoulder playfully. "Just like de time ve … eh, anyvay. Like I vas sayin', I kin make dis vithout measuring. It vill require lots o' custom boning."

"All righ' all righ' I ask her. But like I sai'. she agree. I irresistible," Djivan says as he puffs out his chest.

At this, Olivia willingly gives away her position by laughing out loud. As both heads turn in her direction, the Skeek hops onto the crate she's been hiding behind and lounges on top of it. "I'll be the judge of that," she tells Djivan with a wide grin. "But one thing's for sure… you certainly don't know if someone's following you or not. Or if they're listening in on your private conversations!"

Papers fly up into the air as Djivan is startled by the sudden appearance of Olivia. "Ey! No fair sneaking aroun' an spying on me! It be my job t' spy on vou. Mebbe I von't make vou a star, den!"

Olivia raises an eyebrow at the disconcerted Skreek. "And just how were you planning on doing that?""Hmph! Mebbe I von't tell you," Djivan huffs as he scrambles around, collecting his wayward papers.

Olivia's grin widens again. "If you don't tell me what you were planning, then how are you going to try and convince me to agree to it, hmmm?" she says teasingly.

Having collected his papers, Djivan sniffs loudly and turns his back to Olivia. "Mebbe I don' vant to anymore," he grumbles. This prompts Liliana to kick him.

Olivia merely shakes her head at this as she climbs down from the crate. "If that's your decision, then I guess I'll go back to Bravil's wagon and watch him teach sword techniques to Amelia," she says calmly. "Do you want to come? Or are you going to stay here and have Lili kick you all day?"

Djivan is busily rubbing the spot on his butt that Liliana kicked. "I guess I vill come," he says, "I kin make fun of Blacktail an feel better. Den mebbe I kin talk to vou in private about stuffs!"

"That sounds fine, as long as you confine your comments to times when Amelia isn't trying to concentrate on what she's doing. Badly-timed distractions can be very dangerous, you know." Then Olivia smiles and walks over to take Djivan's free hand in one of hers. As she nods and winks to Liliana, she says, "See you later!"

At that, Liliana waves back to Olivia. "Snogs ya latter," she calls back cheerily.

"Gods, I hope not," Olivia grumbles.

Djivan takes a moment to stuff the papers under his shirt, then takes Olivia's hand. "Lead on!" he pronounces and points towards Amelia. "Time t' watch her get flattened."

"Y'only say that cuz vou don't know vhat ver missin!" Liliana quips. Bloody bat ears… At the wagon, Amy puts an ear to the door just to make sure she's not interrupting anything before knocking.

Well, there's no rhythmic creaking going on inside Viktor's wagon at least…

The Kadie raps lightly at the door, and says, "Are you available, Viktor?"
There's a stint of silence from Viktor's wagon, but eventually his voice can be heard asking, "Is that you, Blacktail?" The wagon shakes a bit and it sounds like he is approacing the door.

"None other!" Amelia announces.
The wagon door opens and the large form of the Jupani fills its vacancy. "How may I be of service to you, then?" he asks. "Or is this just … an afternoon visit with no defined reason?"

"Well, I recall you offering to teach me how to use my new sword," Amelia says, and rattles the bundle on her shoulder. "I got some wooden practice swords here, if you're still willing to train me. Wanted to talk to you about something else, too."
"Mmm," Viktor says a bit noncommittally and walks down his stairs. He settles back and uses them as a makeshift seat so that he's closer to her eye-level. "Did you bring your sword in addition to just wooden ones?" the Jupani inquires.

"Yes, but I didn't figure on using it beyond learning how to hold it properly and all," Amelia says, setting down her bundle and unwrapping it on the ground. The sheathed sword that Inaya gave her is there, along with several wooden practice swords of various sizes.
Viktor motions towards the sheathed sword, asking, "May I?"

The Kadie offers up the sword to the Jupani. "I don't know if any of these others will be appropriate for your grip now," she says apologetically.
The Jupani draws the sword from its sheath. In his hands, it looks more like a short sword than anything else. He turns it slowly as he examines it with a critical eye. At one point he even holds it up and taps it firmly with a claw, then listens to the blade. Eventually, he offers it back to Amelia, hilt first. "It is a fine blade. Properly tempered. Care well for it and it will protect you," he notes. He does spare a glance to the other swords, then adds, "If you have a two-handed one, it will suffice as a one-handed for me. But before we even begin that … show me how you hold it."

Envoy holds the sword in both hands, with arms almost fully extended out in front of her and the point straight up. She doesn't take her eyes off of the blade, either, as if she doesn't trust it yet.

Viktor rubs his forehead. "Ah, yes, I see I have a lot of work," he comments. "You have made three mistakes already."

Amelia blinks and looks embarrassed by the comment, letting her tail curl in a bit. "That bad, eh? Is it my stance? Grip? Balance?"
Viktor reaches over and taps her hands. "All of those," he notes, "First, your grip. You're holding too close to the crossgaurd. If your hand is up against it, it will limit the range of wrist motion. Try to leave at least a finger span between it and the top of your hand." The wolf leans forward, then taps Amelia's elbows, "Second, you're nearly locking your arms straight. This has two problems. It makes it easier to break your elbow, or simply use your arm as a lever. Try to always keep a bend in your elbows." The wolf then sits back, adding lastly, "Don't hold the point so high like that. Keep it angled lower, pointed more towards your opponent's heart."

Amelia tries to follow the advice, bending her arms and shifting her grip. Her legs are still spread as if she were dealing with a much heavier weapon though. "It's weird. I'm used to something bigger with the sharp bits further away. I keep expecting the handle to be longer than it is," she explains.
"Close your legs a bit," Viktor comments next. "A sword isn't a halberd; it works completely differently. It is generally a slashing weapon, while a halberd is for chopping. Also, how tightly are you gripping it?"

"Really tight," Amy says. "I don't want it to slip!"
"Another mistake, then. Relax your grip some. If you are holding too tightly, it will inhibit your range of motion," Viktor observes. None of his comments have any tint of reproach to them, they just sound matter-of-fact. "Now, show me how you would block since you do not have a shield."

After loosening her grip, Amy asks, "Block what? Another sword, or an arrow or something else, like an axe?"

"You are unlikely going to be able to block an arrow," Viktor observes rather bluntly. "How would you block a sword, axe, or even spear?"

"Well, normally, I'd just… " Amy starts to say, then leaps backwards out of imagined sword range.

"That is good. Now, if your back was against a wall or tree?" Viktor asks.
"Uhhh," Amelia thinks. She holds her sword at a cross angle, nearly diagonal, with the point over her right shoulder and the guard held out on her left side. "Like this, if the strike was coming from my opponent's right."

"Angle is good, but you have made a terrible error," Viktor says calmly, "What you have just done will cost you your sword. Never let an edge strike another edge. It will at best, chip the edge badly. At worst, break the blade."

"Oh, I thought it was stronger edge on," Amy says, and turns the blade up by twisting her wrists, so that the flat side is facing the blow now. "Yeah, yeah, yeah – you wish!" Olivia calls back as she leads the Skreek over to Bravil's wagon. Seeing that the Jupani and the Kadie are already hard at work, she picks a place where she and Djivan can watch them easily but not be in the way.

"That is the problem. An edge must be strong to be sharp. But, that also makes it more brittle," Viktor explains. "It is better to block with the flat, which is softer and will not chip. And before you think me nothing but critical, know that these mistakes are common to everyone new to a sword. Some of it is not intuitive."

"She does kiss really good," Djivan notes to Olivia as he settles down with her. To Amelia, he calls out, "Bein' wit dat squirrel o' yours, no wonder y' can't handle a sword!" He grins widely.

"You mean there will be parts that are intuitive?" Amelia asks, then glances over at Djivan in confusion. "What are you babbling about, rat?"

"And I'm happy to just take your word for that," Olivia replies. "Liliana can keep her lips to herself!"

"Vell, haf vou handled his?" Djivan asks rather pointedly and with a huge grin now.

"Vash, quiet or I'll use you as the practice dummy," Viktor says a bit harshly.

"Zahn doesn't have a sword, you git," Amy replies. "He's got a catapult though."

"He doesn't have a sword? Well, that explains so much. Musta blown it … " Djivan continues on … right up to the point Viktor commented. Then he shuts up … and hides behind Olivia.

Grinning hugely, Olivia takes advantage of Djivan's situation to gently push him down into a sitting position in front of a nearby tree. Then she also sits down and cuddles up against him with her back to his chest. "Much better," she comments. "Now shush and behave yourself."

"I so abused," Djivan mutters.

Olivia arranges the Skreek further by taking his arms by the wrists and wrapping them about her waist. "Well, you do ask for it," she murmurs, making herself more comfortable.

"Should I be holding my wrists like this to turn the blade, or is there a better way?" Amelia asks Viktor.

"Try to keep the backs of your hands facing out when you block," Viktor answers as he starts looking through the practice swords now. "There is less to injure on the outside of your arms than the inside. If you get cut on the inside of your wrist, your hand may become useless, or you will bleed to death, or both."

There's one good-sized, double-handed practice blade – at least, good-sized for a Kadie or Lapi.

Selecting that one, Viktor stands. Given he's nearly twice Amelia's height, the two-hander looks like a single-hander in his grip.

Keeping her guard up, Amy bends her knees slightly and swishes her tail wildly in anticipation of a blow.

Viktor walks away from the wagon. "Sheath that sword and pick up a practice one," he says. "You are not ready for live-weapons practice." The Jupani then turns, angling his side more towards the woman and brings his wooden sword down a bit, where he holds it loosely and calmly in his large hand. "We will start with you attacking me. I will just defend and observe. Then we will switch and I will attack and you defend. And … something to bear in mind; even if you become very skilled, fighting someone like me would be dangerous, Blacktail. The size difference gives me significant advantage. I only have to hit you once to crush you."

"So the goal is to not get hit then?" Amy asks as she switches swords. She picks one with a similar grip to the metal blade, and then steps back to look over Bravil and try to guess where he'd have the hardest time blocking. It doesn't help that she's restricted to below-the-waist targets either.

"The goal is always not to get hit," Viktor answers. "Attack whenever you are ready."

Amelia's tail twitches randomly, until she darts forward towards Viktor's right, and then zigs towards his left with her sword held out horizontally as she tries to slash his thigh and pass behind him at the same time.

Viktor doesn't even seem to blink as the Kadie zips and zigs in front of him. When she sweeps by his left, instead of hitting his thigh, she finds her sword suddenly being propelled upward and away due to a sweeping blow from his practice weapon. Due to squirrel reflexes, though, she doesn't end up on her butt, at least. "Not bad, you are trying to mask your strikes," he says approvingly. Back into a defensive posture he goes.

Amy skips back out of range, and tries to circle around the big wolf to make him turn. Apparently she doesn't believe in standing still at all.

Viktor follows Amelia's movement with a calm and cool eye. He only turns when he absolutely has to. "You said you had something else to talk to me about?" he inquires.

"Yes," Amy says, before zig-zagging in again. She tries for Viktor's side once more, but this time she jumps up at the last moment to try and slash at his upper arm.

The jump seems to catch Viktor by surprise. The wooden sword lands hard against his bicep. It's a bit jarring for Amelia as it reminds her of hitting a tree, though, and she sort of bounces off and backwards a bit. But! The Jupani actually winces from the blow as he steps away and rubs at the point of impact. With a nod to the Kadie, he says, "Well done. Now, what did you want to speak to me about?"

"I want you and Natasha to go someplace for a picnic," Amelia says once she gets her balance back. "Five miles north along the road, past Dr. Pike's castle."

"Why?" is Viktor's only question. He also waves his sword a bit, indicating for Amelia to continue her assault.

The Kadie tries for a more conventional attack this time, aiming for the big wolf's stomach. "To check out the land," she says while making her strike.

One thing Amelia certainly has an advantage with is speed. She darts in and Viktor is hard-pressed to deflect her strike. But somehow, he does still seem to manage it. So, Amelia finds herself staring right into his navel; her sword crossed with his. He's looking down at her, brow arched a bit. "To what end? Is there an undead or monster problem that you wish us to resolve?" he asks.

Looking up, Amelia grins and says, "Actually, I thought you might want to go back to your old job. You know, Baroning. That land is uninhabited, and there's an abandoned castle. It used to be the territory of Lord Druagh the Necromancer."

At that, Viktor's sword arm goes slack and his wooden sword slips away from Amelia's. "You're asking us to stay as a neighbor?" he asks. For a moment, his usually solemn visage seems to fracture for a moment. "Why? I'm no baron anymore; I'm a hair's with from just being another monster."

"She probably just wants him nearby so she kin go monster slayin' layer," Djivan whispers in Olivia's ear.

"It's too dangerous now for the tribe to just be wandering around Sylvania," Amy points out. "Natasha isn't getting any younger either. I'd rather have neighbors we can trust than just wait for some monster or rogue wizard or who knows what to move into that land once the last of the taint is gone."

"We are too few to tame a land," Viktor notes as he crouches down so he can be at Amelia's eye level. "Or have the skills to rebuild a town."

"There are plenty of displaced people in Sylvania who have what you'd need," Amelia points out.

The Jupani rubs his forehead lightly. "I do not know," he ends up admitting. "Who would follow me? People would follow Natasha, of course, but… "

"Everyone would, you're a Baron," Amy points out, waving her wooden sword a bit. "You know how to lead, and what's needed to make a community work, and how to defend it and all that stuff!" She points the weapon at Djivan, and asks, "Would you follow Viktor, Djivan, if it meant having a permanent home?"

"Dunno! Permanent home means people would know where to find me! Not that I have any reason to hide and all," Djivan quips.

Olivia, who has been silent for this entire exchange, finally speaks up. "I could help you set up a town – once I complete my apprenticeship, that is," she says thoughtfully. "You'd need businesses there, wouldn't you? I could set up my first shop."

At that, Viktor actually laughs once. "You two are insistent," he observes. "I will humor you and see if Natasha is willing to consider seeing the lands and possibly a new home," he relents. "How would your 'ruler', Erik tolerate the idea?"

"I imagine he'd be thrilled at having a town to trade with who isn't half-terrified of us," Amy points out. "And someone to talk to about all his new-fangled ideas of government."

"Except that it would be founded by gypsies and a monster," Viktor points out. "I have heard his mother is not fond of us being around."

"And… there could be adventure or treasure and stuff up there still," Amy whispers. "I don't think we found everything when we looted the place half a century ago. And hey, we were founded by invading barbarians from Tursdi!"

With a wry smile, Viktor notes, "I'm a bit old for adventure, but, okay. I will consider it. I was not aware you thought of us so fondly that you would want us to stay."

"Neither did I!" Djivan calls out, "I guess even vou can' resist me amazing charms!"

Olivia sighs loudly at this and promptly elbows the Skreek in the stomach.

"It's a waste for you to just be wandering around," Amy notes, and then sticks her tongue out at Djivan. "Besides, we don't have a lot of entertainment around here, so it's nice to have the gypsies around while we can afford it."

"Oof, I be wounded!" Djivan claims.

"Yeah, yeah," Olivia says, settling back again. "You're not fooling anyone, you know."

"I doubt you're losing any money to us. whatever you pay in entertainment we spend back on supplies," Viktor points out as he stands back up. "Did you wish to continue practice, or were the other things you wanted to talk to me about?" he asks as he looks between Amelia and Olivia.

"Olivia had some stuff to ask you," Amy points out.

"Ey' mebbe you could wiggle yer bum at dat boyfriend o' yours and get him t' help build a new town for free!" Djivan suggests to Amelia.

Being put on the spot now, Olivia scratches uncomfortably at one ear. "Yes, actually, I did. I know it's going to sound like an odd question, but, um… do you know anything about the Underground Empire of Moltpaa?" the Skeek finishes in a small voice, not knowing how the Jupani will take the inquiry.

"The legendary Empire destroyed by the Curse of Bosch?" Viktor asks as he rests the wooden sword point down into the ground. He suddenly looks all the more tired and worn as he looks skyward. "Why would you wish to know of such a place? It is best to forget anything touched by Bosch."

"I'm sorry to ask you anything that would remind you of Bosch," Olivia says as gently as she can, "but there may be a link between that Empire and the trolls we've been having so many problems with lately." That said, she goes on to describe what Dr. Pike's ancestor wrote in one of his journals about it, and the possible connection between the present-day trolls and the original inhabitants of the Empire.

There's an uncomfortable silence as Viktor continues to look skyward. Eventually, though, his head lowers. "Moltpaa was the legendary empire of the Skreeks, or so the story goes. The territory it covered is supposed to be the same that Kroz covers today. Legends say it was an amazing Empire that fell long ago, possibly to the corruption of Bosch itself. The power of Bosch is to warp flesh and mind, so … it would not be impossible that a creature called a troll today may have once been a Moltpaa Skreek," he explains. "The most powerful of the Overlords of Bosch were once rumored to have been people from Moltpaa. Ruins abound from that time; but they are dangerous places, full or traps and monsters. Few return from them with any wealth; most just return injured or mutilated."

"What about colonies?" Amy asks. "Was there ever any mention of those?"

"Nothing specific that I have heard. But as with any advanced society, they likely had them," Viktor answers as his head rolls a bit so he can look at Amelia. "And it is not like they would be obvious, since they were all underground. They were powerful, it is a testament to how dangerous Bosch is, if they were truly the cause of their downfall."

"I suppose we'd need to find some sort of recognizable artifact," Amelia mutters.

"You would do well to stay away from Moltpaa ruins," Viktor warns. "And tell me, what is the interest with trolls and a dead kingdom lately? Even Djivan has been researching such."

Djivan breaks into a fit of coughing.

Olivia looks thoughtful again as she considers all of this. "Perhaps it's even possible that the reason for their colonization was to get away from the influence of Bosch?" she suggests. "I mean, I don't know how quickly that land completely corrupts things or people… if it isn't an instantaneous effect, perhaps they saw the first signs and decided they needed to find a new home quickly and migrated? And were affected along the way?"

At the mention of Djivan researching the trolls, however, the Skeek turns her head and gives him a look.

"There used to be an underground Skeek city here, Viktor," Amelia admits. "Or if not a city… well, ruins and… not-so-ruined ruins."

"To get here from Kroz, they would have had to tunnel under Bosch." Viktor starts to say, and then his head whips around and he looks at Amelia. "If they were here, then so may be Bosch's contamination," he says darkly. "What have you found?"

"Vhat's vrong wit researchin' trolls?" Djivan asks, trying to look innocent.

Olivia also perks up, but at Viktor's comment, not Amelia's. "Wait, how does that work? Does that mean if something was brought out of Bosch, it can affect you, too, just by being near it?"

"Something, no. A someone, yes. If degenerates came from Bosch to here, they could affect others," Viktor says and shakes his head. "Legends talk of Overlords … and they do exist. Powerful creatures that harnessed Bosch and seek to spread its chaos."

"We've found Gorts," Amy says. "And the remains of Skeeks. We don't really know what the trolls are though, if not a race of mutated Skeeks. They've been around for a long time however."

"Gorts are common to any place that has hot springs," Viktor notes. "And Moltpaa was a Skreek kingdom, not Skeek. But … perhaps this was once a colony. Tell me, have those underground tried to take over?"

Olivia sighs and shakes her head. "If the theory about the trolls being Bosch-influenced Skeeks or Skreeks is true, and you can be corrupted somehow by being near them, and they've been here a long time – then why haven't we been corrupted by them already?" she asks. "Something doesn't make sense here. We're missing something."

"Not directly," Amelia says. "We think they might have influenced the founder of Clan Wingnut though in his attempt to take over the town."

"They would have to try to corrupt you, Miss Weaver," Viktor tells the Skeek. "By either warping your flesh or mind in some manner." To Amelia, he asks, "When was this? If it was a long time ago … I do not think they must be much of a threat."

Olivia looks uncomfortable as she answers for Amelia for the moment. "Well… I don't know when Abner Wingnut lived, but I do know that Zahnrad and Amelia think that he might have been attacked in the same way that Clover Chalk was not too long ago. That the trolls may have, er, plugged into his head with something. You'd have to ask her for more information, though."

"Plugged his head in? That does not sound like Bosch," Viktor says as he rubs his chin. "I am sorry I am not being much help."

"About seventy years back now," Amy says. "But we think they did the same thing to Clover, and her personality has changed back to what it was when she was younger."

"Wait, Clover had 'er head plugged in? Funny, I thought Lapi does preferred to be … " Djivan starts to say then stops before Olivia elbows him.

"Well, if there was something from Bosch down there, do you think you'd sense it?" Amy asks Viktor.

Olivia gives the large Jupani a smile. "That's all right – although I actually know more about Moltpaa than I did before, after talking with you. What this does, however, is just reinforce my belief that we'll have to keep looking for something that might link the ancient and the modern societies together. If we can find anything like that, we might have a way of relating to them, or even communicating with them." At Amelia's suggestion, she looks hopeful and glad that Amelia thought of it!

"I … don't know. Perhaps, as I do know what Bosch magic feels like… I would have to get close to it before I likely would, though," Viktor admits, "A mage is better at sensing raw magics, but perhaps. Why would you wish to even speak with them? If they are leaving you be, perhaps you should leave them be."

"Cuz dey are nosy and can't leave t'ings alone!" Djivan declares.

"Well, we think they've been stirred up a bit lately," Amelia says. "Because of the Necromancer. Trolls eat zombies, after all. And we have no idea why they did what they did to Clover, and she can't remember any of it."

Olivia turns back to Djivan again and asks curiously, "Are you trying to say that the trolls have been bothering the gypsies lately, not just the folks in town?"

"Nope, no one been bothering us. 'Cept the Lapi does that keep tryin' t' visit our bucks," Djivan answers with a languid smile. "Even vou haven't been around much lately."

"So, the Troll uprising is our fault, then," Viktor notes with a sigh.

Olivia has a quick, sharp memory of the ritual that was performed on her by Natasha and Isolde and winces for a second before her face clears. "Well, after this you've got me for a private conversation, so I'm making up for lost time now," she says lightly.

"I demand mo'. I demand pudding, even," Djivan says as he playfully pokes Olivia several times.

"I wouldn't call it an 'uprising'," Amy says. "There's just been one case of 'uptunnelling' so far, and that was to bring a wounded Lapi back to the surface."

Olivia eeeps softly and leans back against Djivan again. "Trust me, you wouldn't want to eat any pudding I'd make," she teases.

"Mmm," goes Viktor. "This changes a few things."

"Vho said anyt'ing about eatin' it? We coul' vrestle innit!" Djivan says, grinning.

After flashing a smile at the Skreek, Olivia asks Viktor, "How does this change things, exactly?"

"I have a duty to stay if Bosch does indeed exist here, even if underground. If the lands beyond Doctor Pike's castle are suitable … then I will have to establish the Barony again. I cannot allow Bosch to spread," Viktor explains, sounding a bit tired about the idea of having to deal with such horrors again.

"Well, I'd prefer you think about settling down because you want to," Amelia says. "We haven't found anything that really screams Bosch yet. I guess the trolls don't act like Bosch creatures either. But then, neither did you."

"I was not there long enough to cause mental damage. It is all just physical," Viktor explains, though he looks a bit ill at the reminder.

"He does. An I know he vants to marry Natasha, but he won' admit dat either," Djivan notes.

Viktor glares at Djivan. "That is none of your concern," he says tersely.

Djivan's first clue that something is wrong with Olivia is that her body begins to tense up in his arms. "Um, Viktor?" she asks quietly. "Not that I want any corrupting influences of Bosch to spread, either, but… if we do find out that these trolls were once Skreeks from Moltpaa, what would you do about it?"

"Tell me I wrong an I shut up about it," Djivan retorts.

Viktor continues to glare at Djivan, but he doesn't say anything further to him. Instead, his attention shifts back to Olivia. "It would depend on how they were affected by Bosch, if any. If they are harmless … then I would just leave them be. I'm too old to start a pointless crusade against a people that may wish to live in peace," he answers.

"I've seen enough death and pain," the Jupani adds.

"Besides, we need them to clean up after zombie attacks," Amelia points out.

Olivia nods at all of this and seems to relax, even if only a little. "That is… good to know. Because if you thought it necessary to eliminate them only because they might spread Boschian chaos, then I don't think I could help with that. Not after remembering what I have about that event in my own past, where a troll child actually tried to be my friend," she explains.

"Really?" Djivan asks, "Dat make vou even more perfect! You can't refuse me now, vou vere born fer dis! Uh, vell, er, I explain later."

Amy eyes Djivan suspiciously, and gives her practice sword a few more test swings.

"You'd better," Olivia says to him, looking doubly curious about this surprise of his now.

"Creatures of Bosch do not have friends," Viktor says with a shake of his head. "These creatures may be mutants, but they do not sound as of they are of the cursed."

Apparently, Djivan finds his feet and tail really interesting at the moment…

"That's what we need to find out," Olivia answers the Jupani with a weak smile.

"Can you show me some stuff I can practice?" Amelia asks Viktor with a smile. "And what sort of stuff would you like for the picnic?"

"Ah, certainly. A lot will be getting familiar with your weapon, its weight, and how it moves. It needs to work as if a part of you. Also, ask your boyfriend to make you a heavily weighted practice sword. It will strengthen your arms and make wielding the regular one seem effortless," Viktor explains as he finally gets back up and stretches, then retrieves his wooden weapon. "Now, try to memorize these movements and footwork, they will help form the basis of most defenses and attacks… "