I’ve never written for this period. Also, is it Sir Robert or Lord Robert. Let me know so I can change it.

I read both, and came back to read this again.
Firstly, I like that the ferryman directs him, it adds mystery, however it is out of place once you read the second, he should know the way. He is smart to act like he doesn’t.
He’s lucky the skull is enough to gain him entrance.
So here we are thinking that he is unprepared for the visit, no meat for the bird, fear at the decor, and the ferryman gives him directions. And yet the next…

Spooky and effective setting. It made me think of the old school animated movies, like the older version of the Hobbit, or ‘Fire and Ice’. I think you could replace the second crooked, but that’s a minor point. I think this is definitely the most inventive and independently compelling of the ’let’s use ourselves as characters’ epics.