h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*the Cottage is set at the edge of the clearing opposite the site where the tree was taken from by a band of adventurers in the dead of winter*

*the cottage has a very small unkempt garden at the front and it is even more untidy outback. The brick path leading up to the front door with its large brass gargoyle knocker has not seen much use recently.*

*from every window is the hint on a pair of eyes looking out although you cannot really be certain*

The Lurker's Cottage was orginally well downhill from the site where the tree was taken: in the original thread, the treehunting party crossed a ford and almost immediately discovered the Lurkers Cottage.

But the party carried on up the hill as far as the haywagon could go before alighting and walking on to find the right goo spruce.

To account for this breach in continuity -- many of the previous party were expecting to find the cottage just past the ford -- it is obvious that the cottage must have been stolen by these desperados.

Directions now sorted. Premise is that the cottage was moved by the Lurkers themselves after being disturbed at Xmas

*careful observers might just see a curtain being pulled slightly back in the cottage*

*the riders in the posse come round the bend and see the cottage in its new location, as well as the paths which have been cut into the wood*

*Billy pulls up, and motions for the other riders to halt as the coach rumbles up behind them*

*Out back, picketted behind the Cottage can be seen two horses with the RRR brand.*

/* Comes up behind Billy, Zeppo trotting at the horse's side. Zeppo sniffs at the air and gives a low growl. */

I think he smells something.

*Gandalf halts*

*T. sits very still, eyes zooming in every detail*

*Glances at Titania's sudden change in dress and whistles*


How does she do that?


*Dismounts and scans the clearing.*

Elves are not always what they seem...

*urges Gandalf towards a big stone so that she can dismount without twisting an ankle*

*the coach pulls up behind the riders, and the great horses stop without being told. Amos sets the brake and reaches behind him to untie the other puppy and slide his shotgun forward*

*When the wheels stop rolling there is a loud silence, broken only by Clyde snorting*

*with a loud squeak the door of the coach swings open and the occupants step down*

Z and X, on the outside right and left. Amos, keep an eye on the rear. Miz Lizzy with Z, Miz Odra with X, the rest spread out across the road here. Somebody's in there, I know I saw a curtain move.

We wait.

*dismounts slowely*

/* Moves with Zeppo to cover the other side of the road. Removes the stapler from his belt, goes to unlock the safety, then remembers it does'nt have one. */

*follows d'E and Zeppo, crossbow loaded with rapid fire bolt cartridge and cocked, ready to fire*

*takes cover behind a tree*

*follows Z round to the side*

Good idea, Caerwynn!

/* Takes cover behind a large boulder. */

*very quietly* I just heard something rustle about a hundred foot that way. Watch your backs! They got a party hidden. If you ain't armed, stay close to the coach. Where's that ant?

*loudly*
Don't fire unless they throw down on you. Remember, we got stuff they want, right folks?

*stands beside Gandalf*

*left hand stealing behind her back to pull out an arrow from the upside-down quiver*

*long-bow hanging over right shoulder, seemingly harmless*