NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9 - The curtain rises
Slowly, methodically, the adventurers made their way into the room. They assumed a loose triangle formation with the robed one at the center. The elven archer flanking him seemed to be listening for the slightest sounds, her ears twitching in concentration. The leader had raised his sword and shield, ready to defend his comrades at a moment's notice.
By the time they reached the center of the room without getting attacked, the leader spoke up in a tense voice.
“The mannequins have got to be some type of monster, or a clever distraction and the monsters here are hidden ambush predators of some kind.”
“Should I attack one of the mannequins at a distance?” the elf asked.
“No, let’s get close to the one seated over there and investigate. There has been no movement other than us, right?”
“Right.” she nodded.
“Can I just go and smash one?” the mountain of muscle at the back spoke up.
“... I suppose, we are close enough to assist. Let’s move up together, then Astrid can test their durability.” the leader managed to put a positive spin on the blunt suggestion of the woman.
I did not appreciate the ease with which they saw through my mannequin's greatest weapon, but in hindsight, there was not much in the room that could distract from them. Maybe one of my mannequins could fashion inanimate mannequins out of the wood all over the place? That way my monsters could blend in with them and not stick out like a sore thumb. For that I might need the mannequin to become a crafting based class, however, or maybe an animated servant could do it?
Shaking myself out of my speculations, I watched with bated breath as the group drew closer to the as of yet unnamed third mannequin seated in the front row of my hall.
As they drew closer and closer, I used a little trick I learned in the downtime we had between encounters.
One by one, several of the torch sconces lining the hall began burning in an ephemeral blue light matching the color of the wizard's staff.
The adventurers froze like deer in headlights. My mannequins, meanwhile, unfroze, and the play began.
The lady paced restlessly, burying her head in her hands once more, as if battling a deep seated despair. The knight beside her watched, impassively, though more than once his hands twitched forward, as if he wanted to reach out and comfort his deeply distraught lady. That would be above his status however, and so he schooled his posture once more and assumed an alert stance.
He might not be able to help his lady in whatever matters plagued her, but he would not forsake his duty to her, and be a faithful guardian.
The adventurers, meanwhile, were baffled. They came here fully expecting a fight, not a play. So shocked were they, they did not even realize the seated mannequin got up and fetched some scrolls, before returning to them and extending an arm full of parchments.
The leader gathered his wits again, and cautiously extended a hand forward, taking the parchments that were offered.
And just in time, for the mannequin bolted back towards the stage and assumed its role as the servant that delivered a missive to his lady, bowing and scraping before trudging off stage once again.
The lady read the parchment that was handed to her with shaking hands, before turning towards the audience and falling to her knees, all strength having left her.
At that, all my mannequins froze again.
Puzzled, the adventurers looked around, before finally taking a look at the parchments.
I gotta hand it to the third mannequin, they were a quick thinker, no doubt. Within the leaders hands, several roles in the play I had planned were covered, previously all played by them, but now we could include the adventurers in the fun.
Audience participation!
The adventurers murmured to each other looking at the 4 scrolls, baffled.
After a while, it seems they pieced it together.
“So, these are roles in this… play? There are 4 of them, there are 4 of us, I guess it's askin' us to participate?” the barbarian eloquently summarized.
“I’ve heard of puzzles and riddles in dungeons, but never something like this!” the mage shakes his head in disbelief.
“Well, let’s indulge it for now, but keep up your guard everyone. This might be a ploy to get the drop on us after all.” the leader intoned, keeping their voice steady but was that a hint of… excitement I heard creeping in? Interesting… veeeeery interesting.
“Right, who wants what role?” the archer presses on.
“I wanna be the monster!” the barbarian woman cackles, and promptly gets handed a scroll.
“I suppose I should be the court wizard.” the mage sighs.
The leader looks him up and down and speaks up.
“You know, this might be a good chance to step outside our comfort zones. You are already a wizard for real, why don't you take this one?”
After inspecting the scroll handed to him, the man chuckles.
“Fine, I will be the prince then! The two of you fight over the wizard and the king!”
I watched the interaction with joy. The leader was undoubtedly one of my people, a genuine theater enthusiast! I was looking forward to seeing this unfold more and more!
The leader turned to the archer and intoned “Since it was your sacrifice in the ritual, I’ll leave the choice up to you. I will just say this, I believe I would make an excellent wizard!” before giving her a lopsided grin.
The archer sighed, before grabbing the scroll with the king’s dialogues from the leader.
Arching up her nose and straightening her posture, she responded in a serious tone.
“Quite, and I shall be an excellent queen to you all. Bow before me, my subjects!”
Just like that, the audience was fully included and our play could begin in earnest!