~Chapter 1: Old Friends and New Puzzles

The winter snow crunches under the wheels of the two London cars. A police patrol car leads a small raised roofed automobile down the path through the mountains. Trees stand like snow covered pillars, lining the way down the steep road. Though the whole forest looks like a brown and white blur to the young Professor Hershel Layton and his daughter Flora Reinhold. Professor Layton adjusts his hat and keeps his eye on the Inspector's car, while Flora watches the world go by through the left side window.
Soon she draws her attention from the road down to the aged letter in her hands. The hen scratch penmanship makes it hard to read but she didn't mind. Her eyes are more attentive to the seal on the back of the envelope; an impression of star nestled under an arched crescent moon in violet wax.

After a long hour Flora breaks the silence, "Professor, what was the name of the town we're heading to again?"
"Stanton my dear," replied Professor Layton, "A small mining town just outside of London."
"And why are we going there just to solve a mere family dispute?" she asks, curiosity ringing in her voice.
The Professor chuckles, "Flora, do you really think I would take up such an ordinary request as that? Oh no my dear, this 'mere' dispute as all but stirred my curiosity with its mystery and excitement. However it would seem I should fill in the blanks for you before we arrive."

Flora stares at her guardian with interest as tries to imaging the picture he draws out for her, "Four month ago the mayor of Stanton, Ryan Starcrest; fell to a peculiar illness. This illness didn't kill him but it left him paralyzed in his bed for several weeks. This illness had already claimed most of the miner's lives. Though no one has died from it yet, many including Mr. Starcrest were afraid he would be the first.
However one night a mysterious maiden crept into Mr. Starcrest room giving him a strange medicine that cured him of his paralyzing. Mr. Starcrest claims that the person responsible was none other than his long lost daughter Rubina."

"Lost…what happen to her Professor?" she asks.
Professor Layton averts his eyes from a road to look her way, "Rubina Starcrest was reported dead thirty years ago. Though the body was never found the clothes she was wearing the night she ran away were found in a deep lake only a few miles from the town. The case was closed as an accidental drowning, but now they're not quite sure what to think." He focuses his attention back on the road, "Some people believe it's someone pulling a simple prank, others fear it could be her restless spirit while few cling to the hope that she's alive and merely in hiding. Never the less the town search for the girl remains fruitless." He narrowed his eyes, "However I can't shake the feeling that this puzzle is just a stepping stone to a much bigger mystery. Something larger than life…"

Flora smiles, "Ah, that's you're famous intuition, isn't it?"
"Well Flora I wouldn't call it famous…," he reinstates.
"But wait," she paused, "That can't be the same reason why Inspector Chelmey and Barton are going to Stanton is it?"
Professor Layton replies "Not quiet, Inspector Chelmey presence has been requested by an old college mate of his. Since we were both heading in the same direction, He has kindly offered to escort us."
"Well I'm glad that you decided to take his request either way." She smiles at Professor Layton who turns to her with a confused glance, "You haven't quiet been yourself these days."
He blankly blinks before puts on a simple smile, "What are talking about, I've never felt better."
"Nuh uh, you'd really have changed since our last adventure. Why else would you stop taken requests and puzzles?" Flora sadly frowns placing her clasps hands on her lap.
Professor Layton sighs and turns his eyes back to Flora, placing a reassure hand on top of hers, "Forgive me if I've made you worry my dear. However I can assure you I'm perfectly fine, the only reason I've stop taken requests was to spend more time with you. With Luke in American I didn't want you to feel lonely or forgotten."

Flora's stunned looks is quickly replaced with a warm smile. A quick bump in the road forces Layton to place both hands firmly on the wheel. Strangely his mouth is left slightly gaped, making Flora return her attention to the road and make her mouth gape. A small village drape in winter snow came over the horizon; the white roads curve and serve around all the houses like snakes.
Both of the cars stop just outside the town, the men casually step out their cars at the same time. The Professor, being the gentleman he is opens the passenger's door for Flora. She adjusts her rosy red earmuffs as she hops out of her car. She turns to the Professor who just closes the backseat door; he holds his suitcase in one hand and Flora's handbag over his right shoulder.
She didn't want him to do all the work so she takes her pocket book out of his other and slings it over her shoulder. Finally the two join the Inspector and his assistance inside the town. The town itself looks like something from a Christmas card; the houses decorated with simple holiday lights and bobbles. However the dead streets and eerie silence sent chills down young Flora spine.

"It's so quiet…" she said, standing within arm's length from the Professor.
The Professor tips his hat above his eyes, "It is rather odd; not a soul is out on such a splendid day."
"Well not everyone would like to be out in the freezing cold," Chelmey complains, "when they could be home next to the fireplace with some warm cider and a side of sweet potato fritters."

"Gosh Chummy, heaven forbid if I pulled you from anything important." A sarcastic man shouts.
All eyes fell to the black and grey suited man that approaches them from behind, his playful smile nestles between the ebony goat-tee.

"Inspector Grover," Chelmey smiles, (try picturing that :P) "You haven't changed a bit, how long has it been; five years, ten?"
"Twelve, but who's counting." He jokes as he takes the Inspectors hands and shakes it vigorously.
The Inspector clears his throat, "I see life has treated you well."
"Well I can't complain," he pats his beer belly, "However I'm a little disappointed in you Chummy," Chelmey blankly stares at his old college roommate, "I distinctly remember writing that this was to be top secret, and yet you have the gall to bring two civilians onto the case!" he rants, pointing at Professor Layton and Flora.
Chelmey explains, "I can assure you they know nothing of this, Mr. Layton here was…"
"Layton?" Inspector Grover interrupts, turning his attention over to man with the silk top hat, "Professor Layton; the famous puzzle solver!"
Professor Layton tips his hat to him, "At your service."
"Bloody hell…" Grover mutters under his breath, "I mean Mr. Starcrest did make an announcement about you coming here, but I thought it was his illness talking."
"Speaking of whom would you be so kind as to direct us to Starcrest Manor?" Ask the Professor, "One should never keep a man waiting."
"With pleasure, it's right down that road." Grover points a tanned finger down the road in front of them, "Big Victorian house with Christmas lights, you can't miss it."

"Excuse me sir, but didn't you have something else to disclose with the Inspector?" Barton asks him, joining the conversation.
Grover palm slaps his forehead "Oh right, nearly slipped my mind!" He turns away from the Professor back to his old collie, "Chummy, I was hoping I could cash in on a favor you owe me?"
"Knowing it you Grove; I suppose I could. So what's this favor?"
Grover pulls his wool snow hat above his ears, "Nothing much, it's about one of my rookies. The lad's gone way up in the ranks and I fear this little town might be holding back some of the kid's talent."
"Go on…" Chelmey folds his arms in interest.
He rubs the back of his neck, "So with your permission I would like to have the lad transferred to Scotland Yard. The lad would be a great addition to the force, you won't regret it Chummy!"
Chelmey holds his chin up with his hand, looking deep in thought before saying, "Well let me get a look at this rookie of yours, then I'll make the call."
"Aw thank you Chummy," A Cheshire grin stretches his cheeks out, "I'll go get the lad, why don't go with Layton to the Manor, I'll meet you there later."
And without another word he rushes down the snowy road and disappearing behind one of the houses.

Flora turns to the Inspector and says, "That was very nice of you Inspector."
Chelmey smirks, "Well I do own old Grove, besides what's a little chore between old chums."
"Spoken like a true friend Inspector," Professor Layton comments before changing the subject, "Well we best be heading to the Manor; Inspector Grover said it would be the Victorian house with the Christmas lights up."
"Umm, not to be the bearer of bad news Mr. Layton…but it would seem all the houses here have that very description," said Barton.
Professor Layton blinks rather befuddle like and takes a better look at his surroundings. Though all the houses were different in size and structure, they were no doubt Victorian style houses. Each one with holiday light strung on the balconies, windows and/or rooftops.

He tips his hat down in disappointment, "Oh dear, this might be a tad harder than I thought."

"Lose your way dears?" asks a raspy voice.
Professor Layton turns his head to his left side, sitting on the snow; back against the wall sat an elderly woman. Judging from the voice however the cloak she wears is long enough to hide her face and body from plain eyes.

Professor Layton tips his hat to her and asks, "And who might you be?"
"My name isn't important at this time," she says, getting up from the cold ground, "but I believe I may be of some assistance to you."
"So you're going to tell us which one of these blooming houses belongs to the Starcrest family?" Chelmey questions her.
The women chuckles, "Now why would I do that?"
"But you said…!"
She cuts in, "It wouldn't be fair if I just told you, however I do have a map on me."
An old parchment of paper pokes out from under the cloak only enough so you can see it and not the hand holding it. She motions for the Professor to take it but the Inspector snatches it before he could. Everyone gathers around as he removes the string holding the paper.

"Just follow the markers and you'll find your way," she turns away, "Well good day."
Professor Layton quickly looks away from the map only to see the women vanish into thin air. His hand makes it way under his chin, trying to understand what really happened.

His concentration is sadly broken by the Inspector shouting; "What the, what in blazes is this!"
The Professor looks back at the parchment of paper, it was indeed a map and a very good one. However none of the streets or roads had any names or numbers; small pictures however are scribbled in various places. The only part of the map that had any writing is under a red dot in the center of the map which just said the name of the town in italic cursive.

"It would appear Mr. Starcrest has left us a test of some sort," Layton explains aloud, "Will need to decipher the map together in order to find our way."
"And just how is this jumble puzzle supposed to help us!" Chelmey yells, he thrust the map into young Flora's hands and stomps away a few steps.
Barton rushes over to his superior's side as they scan the area for the elderly lady that gave them the map. Flora on the other hand plays with the map in her hand, trying to see the picture through the clutter mess before her.

"This won't be an easy puzzle to solve," Flora says aloud, "There's no description or instructions anywhere."
"On the contrary my dear, we've already been given the instructions," said Professor Layton, Flora looks up to her guardian with curious eyes, "Think back to what she said before;" he looks down at her with his warm encouraging eyes, "She told us to follow the markers in order to find our way."
Following her teachers advice she takes another glance at the map.

Puzzle 001: Where's Starcrest Manor?
10 Picarats

The map shows the town has a total of thirty houses; ten of them have black dots, half have purple and half of the blacks have red slashes through them. Six symbols are colored in various places; a grey bell on a slope of a mountain, a small steamy pond just above that and a black stone above that. A purple shoe sits around five out of the ten healthy households; a green cap is sadly one of the far three that are sick. Finally the silver star under a violet moon takes its place in a purple dot house the upper corner of the map.

"Just follow the markers and you'll find your way." Using is the only clue you have; Find Starcrest Manor? (Circle the location with your style-oh wait never mind.)