[Kath]

The next half-period arrived, and at first glance it seemed that the night had been less busy than the last. But 5 among the villagers knew this was not the case.

~ ~ ~ ~

The vampires stood again upon the high tower, not speaking to each other for fear of another argument breaking out between them. They simply stood in the silent darkness, their vampire hearing allowing them to listen to the quiet breathing of the sleeping Men below.

Or perhaps not sleeping. Lossenatar was the first to notice the almost silent footsteps creeping around the small home the Men had made for themselves. Quickly he nudged Numundo and Firithhyando, motioning for them to listen too.

Their sharp eyes soon caught sight of a figure robed in black flitting among the various beds, apparently searching for something.

"What is it?" Numundo asked, but received only demands to be quiet in reply.

Suddenly the figure stopped and turned back on itself, heading with purpose toward one bed in particular. As it moved a glint of metal could be seen, a glint that soon turned into a full-blown sword that was raised above its unsuspecting victims chest.

The vampires held their unneeded breath and watched, knowing they couldn't reach the figure in time to stop it from killing whoever was under the blanket. But someone could.
A shadow so cloaked in the darkness that even the vampires hadn't been able to pick them out appeared before the armed figure.

"No." It said. "This one is protected."

The arm wielding the sword paused for a moment, and then pushed its weapon downwards with as much force as it could, only to find it's route blocked. With a snarl the figure turned on it's heel and ran, disappearing through the torchlit chambers. The protector looked down at their still sleeping charge and, with a smile, did the same.

~ ~ ~ ~

"They have protection!" Cried Numundo.

"And why shouldn't they?" Asked Lossenatar. "They are only Men, most without weapons, and entirely unaware of the dangers that could befall them here."

"Enihilion knew and Yulnagar allowed him to be killed. He had no protection. No, these humans will not be let off so lightly"

Before the others could give words of warning Numundo had set off again, his bat-like form swooping down.

This time his flight took him to Roa, the observer of people. She was asleep, her petite form curled tight to keep her body from feeling the cold.

Numundo watched as she shivered in her sleep and a devious thought came into his mind.

"If you want warmth my friend you will have to fetch it."

Roa's eyes opened, and if anybody had been there they would have seen that they were glazed over, for she wasn't truly awake. Just as Brinniel had, she heard a voice in her head, and it was so lovely that even the thought of not doing as it suggested made her feel ill. And so she went outside, picked up the torch that was burning just outside her house, and set it's flame to the wooden structure.

As the orange tongues licked their way up the side of the building she walked back into it and lay down on the bed, hugging the torch to her chest to keep warm.

Numundo watched in satisfaction. There would be no more protection this night.

~ ~ ~ ~

The time of reckoning again approached, and all but one of the Men were gathered by the clock as it struck and the Oracle arrived.

"Let us see if you have chosen any more wisely today.

”The archer great, a knight of old from the land of old. To the heart of fun half the arrows fly.”

"What's that you say, soldier?" Came a loud voice from the back of the crowd. "A war starting in far yonder lands? Well we'd best get over there quick hadn't we!"

And Menel came bursting through the ranks of his fellow villagers, intent upon making it out of the chamber, but the Oracle was in no mood to 'play' today.

"Stop!" It called, and Menel found himself obeying. "We will not have another scene like yesterdays. You have been chosen, you will die."

The watching villagers covered their faces with their hands, not wanting to witness another dreadful sight, but unable to avoid hearing the sickening crunching sounds. Collectively they counted to 10, and then gingerly uncovered their faces to find out Menel's fate.

The Oracle met their gazes as it slowly puffed on the ornate pipe in Enohl's mouth. The villagers looked confused for a moment, unable to work out what had happened, when suddenly Sleepy cried out in disgust.

"Ugh! You're ... you're smoking Menel! That's just horrible!"

A groan of dismay met his words as the others realised that he was right.

"That's it. I can't take this anymore. You lot can stay here and meet your doom if you like, I'm ending this now!"

He took off at a run and the villagers followed behind, wanting to put as much distance between them and the sick-minded Oracle as possible. They trailed Sleepy to the highest tower where, unbeknownst to most of them, the vampires had spent the night. They watched as he climbed to the top, and gasped as they realised what he was about to do.

"Don't do it!" They cried, but it was too late. Sleepy's form hurtled toward them, moving so fast they could barely hear his scream on the wind, and slammed into the ground before them.

Sickened they turned away, and then saw with dismay the burnt and blackened shell that had been the house of Roa. Slowly they made their way toward it, dreading what they were going to see next. The walls had been completely destroyed, so they crept carefully over the planks lying on the floor and made their way inside. But there was nothing to see, for all that was left of Roa was a pile of ash.

~ ~ ~ ~

Feeling thoroughly defeated the villagers made their way back to the square and despondently inquired of the Oracle whether any of the deaths so far had actually taken a vampire.

"No." It said, and with a final puff of it's pipe the Oracle left them to their talk.

~ ~ ~ ~

The living:


Gil-Galad (Gil)

The Saucepan Man (Esspiem/SPM)

Rikae

Boromir88 (Boro)

Nogrod

Eomer of the Rohirrim (Eomer)

Thinlómien (Lomiella/Lommy)

Legate of Amon Lanc (Legate)

Aganzir

Xyzzy

Macalaure (Mac)

Diamond18 (Di)

Shastanis Althreduin (Shasta)

Kitanna

Durelin

Glirdan (Glirdy)

Rune Son of Bjarne (Rune)

The Sixth Wizard (Morgan/Sixth)


The dead:


Celuien (Cel) – Turned into a chair by the Oracle after being voted out on Day 1. Innocent.

Brinniel – Possessed by the Vampires to write poetry with her own blood on Night 2. Innocent.

Menel - Turned into a pipe by the Oracle after being voted out on Day 2. Innocent.

Roa - Possessed by the Vampires to torch herself on Night 3. Innocent.

Sleepy - Committed suicide by jumping off the highest tower on Night 3. Innocent.



DAY 3

All votes should still be sent to the gmail address, or PMed to me if you've cleared that with Volo.

You may now start talking.