Part 19: Day 4 Part 5: Gone

Nigel has only been in Saxton for four days and he has had overwhelming success in just about all his ventures: ghost-hunting, ghost-freeing, soup-making, museum-stealing, and even treasure-seeking. After navigating the series of inconvenient puzzles guarding the remains of Ganwulf, he's plucked the crown from the Anglo-Saxon king's bare skull and now needs to just scamper off back to Saxton with his prize.



After we nabbed the Lost Crown, Ganwulf appeared to us in another vision and said some things we have no way of understanding (unless we're as learned as Mr. Russett and know Old English).

The most important thing at the moment however is getting back through the Carrion Woods with the crown. The crown that a foursome of creepy, murdering spirit brothers are fiercely guarding and have actively attempted to keep Nigel away. The crown that the townsfolk believe is hidden, not lost, and does not need to be found. The crown that folklore says will bring disaster upon Anglia if removed.

Well, let's go!



Let's just analyze this to-do list for a second, shall we? "It's mine! I raided a tomb. Some crazy shit was going on there that I can't explain. I feel like I'm in danger." Then, in order, 1- hide the crown; 2- let Lucy in on it finally; 3- screw Hardacre; 4- screw Saxton.

Well, that sounds about right for Nigel, I suppose.

We automatically exit the mine- no need to re-traverse those screens, I suppose (although the game makes us re-traverse a number of other pointless screens). However, it's late in the night and we know these woods aren't the most cheerful place. It seems that Nigel has done something by taking that crown... awoken more guardians, perhaps. Escaping the woods isn't quite as straightforward as coming in was:



We can't go in any direction that is blocked off by deep darkness or dark mist. We have to take a roundabout path back to the train tracks. Nigel keeps commenting about how dark and creepy things are, and how he feels watched and/or followed. Didn't we see some eyes carved into the rock inside the tomb?



After we get out of the woods though, it's a straight shot back to Sedgemarsh Station.



The ale is gone?

We send Nigel back to Saxton...





The most sensible place to hide the crown is in Harbour Cottage (because we know that no-place else in town is very secure, Nigel's investigated that previously). Now let's see.... Harbour Cottage is a small place, but a smuggler used to live here, so there must be lots of hiding places. In fact, I'm sure you can think of one particularly SAFE place right off the bat!



Yep. Well, we did promise Lucy that we'd see her at The Bear, so maybe Nigel's in kind of a hurry? Personally, I figure if he can carry around a digital camera, a camcorder, an EMF meter, an audio recorder, a couple of Ager journals, a missing cats poster, his work ID, his notepad, and a pinecone... he should be able to carry around a crown too.



The Bear is dark and unattended when we arrive. It's not closed, however. We can hear what sounds like a live band coming from a back room, and there's the sound of talking, glassware clinking, and so on. Let's find the party.



It's been a hard one, this year... but I'm pleased to annouce that this year's Saxton Snapper is...


We can stand here and wait as long as we like. Rhys won't announce the winner until we click on the back room doorway. That kind of just makes it seem like Nigel wants to make an entrance like a jerk.



Of course we won this bad boy. This was another of Nigel's efforts after all, and there's no way he could fail! I of course went through and took all the photos we submitted in the Celtic Corner box, but if you remember Nigel also invited Rhys round to the Cottage to look at the supernatural photos. Presumably he came by while we were robbing Ganwulf's grave. However, Rhys doesn't have anything very specific to say about our photos...



The lobsters are huge fans of Nigel's work. It's them. They're the Saxton Snappers. Get it? Snappers.

So, what swung it Rhys? This is quite an honor!
You, boyo, you swung it. They're great pics! Now, get yourself a drink and celebrate with me...
Maybe later. There's things to attend to.
Like that Reubans girl, eh? (I think Rhys is starting to get the idea.)
It's not what you think.
I'm not thinking anything. Get yourself that drink.


The game shuffles Nigel off automatically to the hallway again, so we can have a chat with Lucy. Other than Rhys and Lucy (and the lobsters), we haven't actually seen anyone else inside The Bear... it still sounds lively, but it just seems a little weird that we don't encounter anyone else.



I hear congratulations are in order!
I've got some brilliant news.
Hold that thought... what can I get you?




As much as I'd like to have Nigel drink some ale that's been sitting on a train platform for days, it doesn't matter which one I pick.

I think we can do better than that! How about a bottle of local wine? We are celebrating.
Sounds good. You won't believe what I've found!

(Oh wow, renowned Anglian wine, can't wait! There's a brief fadeout here, I suppose this is where they drink a bottle of wine.)

I've found it! The Lost Crown. But...
The crown? The Saxon Crown?!
The very same. It's wonderful... and strange... and...
Where did you find it?
Northfield, the woods above the church. But listen...
I don't know that area, at all.
It's a warren. Tunnels, passages, and a presence...
Where's the crown now?
At the cottage. It's safe.
Can I see it?
Soon.
I have something too... a ghosthunting gadget of my own!
Really? What is it?
Take a look!




A crystal ball?! Hang on... isn't that....
Yes, yes it is. I've... borrowed it.
You stole it!
Well, you've stolen that crown! (Among a significant amount of other stuff.)
That's different!
How so?
There's something about it... hard to define...
Look, let's finish these and get out of here.
Yes. Yes. It's just, ever since I found the blasted thing...
What, what's wrong?
I've never felt alone. Like... someone's following me.
Someone? Or are you talking about your own guilt?
Oh, look, let's just go shall we. I want you to see it.


Let's take Lucy back to our place and show her our treasure.... I'm not thinking anything, boyo!



Afraid I'll see your hiding place?
Hardly. Just wait here, will you.
Nigel, are you all right?
I don't know... I just feel there's something wrong... something I should know.
Hurry back. This place gives me the shivers.




Someone's tossed the place! They seem to have been pretty upset about our ghost pictures and recordings.... but the cat chest has been opened and I don't think there's a crown in there!



Nope, no crown. Maybe if he had chosen a better hiding place...

Nigel? Nigel, are you there?
It's gone!
The crown?
Someone has stolen it!
But who? Who knew it was here?
We may never know...
Don't give up just yet. I might be able to help!
Unless you can turn back time, I don't see how you can.
Come see what I've set up.




Hang on. I didn't believe in all that ghosthunting stuff til... well, til you came along. Come on, give this a go.
Very well. Let's get started.



I don't know. Maybe some questions?
Okay, I'll try. ... Is there anybody there? ... Can you see me? ... Can you hear me? ... Am I alone in this place? Please, please, show me... who took the crown?

Show me... show me... show me...

The crystal ball clouds over and then clears again, this time showing scenes from outside the cottage. Images of a rocky beach, and a man.... whispers, creepy piano and violin music... It seems like we're watching all of this while it's happening.





I'm pretty sure we know who that is...



Uh oh. Is that... I thought we took care of all of them? That... doesn't look good. In the crystal ball, the scythe is actually chopping up and down again and again, and we're getting glimpses of the man in the hat looking terrified, holding up his hands.... the crystal ball grows dark, the music and whispers fade, and the screen washes out white. The last thing we know is....



Are you there? Please.... someone... where are you....