Cressida topped a slight rise. Instead of the stream and small waterfall marked in the trail guide, she saw the most charming stone cottage. The topmost tree leaves spun and fluttered. A few daisies nodded in the lush grass. There was a sense of stillness, despite the songbirds faraway gossip.<br/><br/>She hitched up her pack and walked a little closer, the slight noise of her boots on the meadowy lawn feeling uncomfortably loud and conspicuous. A circuit of the building turned up no vehicles, or whirring air conditioning units, but neither were there "no trespassing" signs.<br/><br/>Deep parallel gouges ominously marked the front door. Could someone be hurt? It opened easily.<br/><br/>"Hello?"<br/><br/>No answer. The shade immediately felt cooler on her skin and the interior smelled faintly of... lemon oil? There was no blood, no sign of struggle, she couldn't smell any scat.<br/><br/>After a thorough investigation revealed absolutely no one, she refilled her water bottle in the kitchen and sat down at the table.<br/><br/>"Huh, an 'x' and just about all vowels...let's see...e-x-h-o-n-e-r-a-t-e. I wonder if that's spelled right?"<br/><br/>Still feeling a bit nonplussed, she pulled out her tarot deck for a simple, four card spread.<br/><br/>"The Empress." The card snapped lightly against the table. "The Hanged Man. The Tower...and the Five of Wands. Hmmmmm..."<br/>