The Ballad of Adler Young, Canto 2.5

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Spoiler
As related in the Chanson du Percy:

"I reckon I could have me some real fun with this here trinket," the Unseelie Duchess cackled to herself.

(A certain famous and highly magickal tod-fox) Intervene in the matter.
(Said tod-fox) Ponder how you can borrow said poppet while CO'D has her Regalia on.
Duchess: feel that you are being watched and turn around

"Top o' the mornin' to ye, Catherine me dearie," a strange fox-elf called out cheerily as he suddenly materialized in the room. "And what is it ye might be after doin' on such a fine day as this?"

"ESTVAN SILVERBRUSH!" the wicked Duchess snarled as she turned to glare at the intruder. "You got a lotta nerve showin' your rascally face around here, ol' boy! Now I'm almost free, and I got my regalia on too, buddy, what you think yer gonna do?"

Clever Percy noticed a small fairy-like creature quietly approach the Duchess' hand while her attention was diverted.

"Cushlamochree, can't a tod pop in ta pay his respects to an old sweetheart at all, at all?" the fox tutted. "Whisht, me dear, tis plain to see yer in no mood for pleasantries, so I'll bid ye good day."



Just as suddenly as he appeared, the strange fox was gone. Duchess Catherine turned again to admire her trophy, and realized that her hand was empty.

Wise Percy made a quick tactical retreat as the Duchess stood for a long, sinister moment, staring at her hand as the air in the shack began to crackle.



"DAMN YOU, ESTVAN!" the evil Duchess screamed in her fury as the shack exploded. "HOW YOU DONE IT I DON'T KNOW, AND I DON'T CARE! THIS WAS YOUR ONE FATAL MISTAKE, FOOL! I'M A-GONNA GET YOU! I'M A-GONNA GET YOU, AND IM A-GONNA PLUCK YOU BALD, ONE HAIR AT A TIME, AND WHILE I'M A-DOIN' THAT, I'LL THINK OF WAYS TO MAKE YOU EXTRY UNCOMFORTABLE!! I SWEAR I'LL DO IT!! JUST YOU WAIT AN' SEE!"



Percy stumbled through the bushes to the spot where his lovely vixen companion had been kicked.

"That Duchess sure has a temper," the vixen groaned. "Could you like, help me with these stickers?"

Kind Percy bent down and began plucking thorns and burrs from the vixen's back.

"Last I saw the poppet was .. uh-oh," Thomson declared from the back of the cart. "Back at the Antglade Diplomatic Outpost. Didn't anyone pick it up?"

"The Duchess must have tampered!" I yelled as I twitched spasmodically from strange phantom pains that seemed to be jabbing me from every direction. "Is there any help for these stickers?"

>Adler: As a result of Fifi hopping up and flailing wildly to get the prickles out
Vigorous Cleansing: Ensue.
The Army: help brother Matthias

"Without the poppet, our only recourse is a field Cleansing," Brother Matthias stated decisively. "A couple of you big strong lads, seize the Prince and hold him still."

"Hudalaleigh!" a familiar voice called out. "Sure an' there's no need to be subjectin' the lad to your stern Church magicks at all, at all."



"At great personal risk to me own sweet self," Estvan explained as he stepped forward, mopping his brow with a handkerchief, "I've gone and procured the poppet."

"How did -?" Brother Matthias began to ask.

"Tis Fuma's own work I'm after doin', ye might say," Estvan interrupted with a wave of his hand. "Sure an' the Prince has a sacred mission to correct the Mistake, whatever that may be, an' it's sure he won't be doin' it while flounderin' ineptly under some foul hoodoo whammy or somesuch. Now then, who's to be gettin' this ghastly trinket? Quickly now - I'd hate to be thinkin' I've incurred me own dismal doom for nothin'."

>Thomson: you're an expert escape artist.
Miss Thomson> While the army and Brother Matthias is occupied, attempt to escape

"I'll take it," Thomson called from the antcart. "I made the enchantment, and I am best able to unmake it."

"HOW'D SHE GET LOOSE?" MacBrock bellowed.