Philip appears distracted because he is dealing with significant stress and responsibilities, including political issues and the upcoming masquerade. He is also concerned about the threats posed by the witches and the Iron Maiden, as well as messages from Headmistress Voss about problems in Astromar.
Jericho sang a birthday song for Adela, which was a lengthy and original performance. Adela was initially enthusiastic but later became defensive and upset when Briggsie questioned the authenticity and depth of Taroka readings, suspecting that they might be general and manipulative.
Adela's Taroka reading reveals a mix of positive and concerning cards, including 'The Priest,' 'The Trader,' and 'The Mist.' The Priest signifies inner peace and spiritual guidance, The Trader warns of betrayal and deceit, and The Mist suggests a journey into the unknown with both danger and opportunity.
The group decides to investigate the barrows because they notice strange occurrences and feel a responsibility to ensure everything is safe for Adela and Philip. They also suspect that these events might be related to the haunted maze decoration for the masquerade, but the unusual mist and sounds make them cautious and curious.
The group encounters statues of mythological creatures like a hydra, manticore, chimera, and hellhound. These statues are significant because they are new and not recognized by Adela, suggesting recent additions possibly for the haunted maze at the masquerade. The hydra statue, in particular, has a face painted with a crooked smile, indicating potential vandalism or装饰.
The mist surrounding the barrows appears different because it has a darker, more ominous color compared to the usual blue-green mist of Druskinvold. This change suggests that something unusual or malevolent is happening in the barrows, possibly connected to a larger plot or threat.
Inside the largest barrow, the group discovers a large inner cavern with skulls and bones lining the walls. The temperature drops, and two orange lights appear, creating an eerie atmosphere. The sound of a nightmare horse echoes outside, and a giant jack-o'-lantern with a malicious sneer and pink paint emerges, causing their shadows to attack each other and the dead to rise as wights.
Briggsie's Taroka reading reveals 'The Swashbuckler,' 'The Executioner,' and 'The Dark Lord.' The Swashbuckler signifies daring and adventure, The Executioner warns of irreversible actions and finality, and The Dark Lord suggests a struggle with power and tyranny, possibly reflecting his past dealings with Mr. Crossroads.
Adela wants to walk through the hedge maze to check on the barrows and ensure that everything is in order, especially with the masquerade approaching. She is also hopeful that Philip might be decorating the maze for the event, despite feeling a bit spooked by the strange occurrences.
The group smells a putrid scent of low tide and rotting fish, which indicates something sinister or supernatural is present. The scent is intermittent and overwhelming, causing Adela to nearly retch, and it adds to the eerie and dangerous atmosphere of the hedge maze.
After a lovely dinner party the gang takes a stroll through a hedge maze...
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Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/wtau2736RqA?si=pHmwUkVga5wfopvN