Closed Back On the Trail (Gad)

[Kel Ehmry]

21st of Spring, 513AV The next few days after Kel had narrowly evaded being pounded to pulp by Daggerhand thugs had yielded some interesting events. Kel had been laying low, mainly keeping to himself in Tent City, with a few trips to the Pig's Foot Tavern every now and again. Other than that he remained pretty quiet, making sure not to cause any trouble or raise any eyebrows. Gods know people wern't happy with him the last time he started asking questions. In the time that he had been twiddling his thumbs in his tent, Daggerhand thugs had been seized by the angry mob that was running rampant through the city. Better yet, the mob took it to another level and burned several of the poor bastards. Now Kel wasn't one to take pleasure in the death of others, but this outcome was favorable for the Zeltivan. With the Daggerhands out of the way for the time being, Kel now had another opportunity to look into the Rotting Mansion. Hopefully this time he wouldn't be chased by vicious men with axes and daggers. But even so, Kel couldn't be too careful. He peered around the corner where the mansion partially stood, looking out for anyone that may give him trouble. The streets appeared to be free from any such character, and Kel made his approach. He entered through the blackened door frame and stood in one of the main halls. At the very end of it was the window he had entered and escaped through in his previous visit. That certainly was a close one... Kel mused as he moved into the room directly to his left. Light from the sun flooded through the broken windows, highlighting the ash the hung in the air. The ash cloud only got thicker as Kel's feet shuffled across the floor and kicked more into the air. Kel covered his mouth as he let out a painful series of coughs. "Ahem. Ok, better find something useful this time around" he muttered to himself.

[Gad]

Gad was getting tired of the constant taste of smoke. Just last night he'd nearly been burned to death and now, as he approached the acrid ashes of the burned mansion, the smell assaulted his nostrils again. It was all very depressing, these fires and riots. It wasn't like Sunberth wasn't already a lawless cesspool, but in the past there were repercussions. And now, they were hanging Daggerhand in the street. Crazy world. Gad wasn't here to reflect on current events, but to investigate them. He approached the ruins cautiously. It was only four days ago this place was razed to the ground and the area around the mansion was mostly free of pedestrians. People were still generally staying clear of the place, lest some Daggerhand in hiding saw them disturb the mansion in the day, and come for them in the night. Gad considered this, and his already close call with the Daggerhand, but didn't let them weight to heavy on his mind. He had his own reasons, and he was much more interested in finding Robern than what the Daggerhand would do to him. He climbed through what used to be a window into the burned out shell, crouched down near the hole in the wall as he entered. Most of the things of any value were gone. There would've been looting before and after the blaze, so Gad doubted he'd find much of monetary value. But, he was looking for information, which could turn out being more valuable than any trinkets he might find. Columns of light shining through holes in the structure illuminated the clouds of dust and debris that still floated through the air around the torched mansion. Gad nearly took a step before he heard a slight noise and his ears twitched. He turned to his ears to the direction and hear what sounded like a man coughing. Gad placed his shawl over his mouth upon hearing this, in order to prevent any nasty dust inhalation. Indeed, where he'd landed and was now crouching after he climbed through was mired in it's all small cloud of dust. Gad held his breath and fanned it away. He could hear the man speak and caught a few lines about finding something, but Gad was more concerned with the man not seeing him. This all transpired very quickly, and soon Gad began to creep quietly towards the hall where he'd heard the man. Rounding the corner Gad saw him, and he had his back to Gad. "You, don't turn around. What are you doing in my mansion?" Gad demanded in a manufactured voice, doing his best to sound grace and serious.

[Kel Ehmry]

Kel's ears perked up when he thought he heard a thud coming from somewhere else in the mansion. He paused and remained silent, but didn't hear any other sounds coming from the house. He suspiciously shifted his eyes back and forth. After a few seconds, he slowly released a deep breath and returned to his own excavation, chalking it up to the house falling apart somewhere. It was amazing that it was still standing after the arsonists marked it as a target. Kel reckoned the place would be coming down any day now. The mansion could fall in on itself today for all he knew, not exactly a fitting end for Kel in his mind. But still Kel would rather deal with the house caving in on itself rather than a Daggerhand thug. Kel coughed again as he accidentally swallowed ash he had spread when dusting off an old desk with his hands. "Still nothing and this ash is gonna be the dead of me. Just another day in Sunberth" he muttered as he spat a wad of blackened saliva at the ground. And then he froze. Someone had come up on him from behind, and the voice didn't seem too pleased. The voice asked Kel what he was doing in his house. His house? HIS? Robern Dalagnar I have found you! Kel rejoiced in his mind, thinking that Robern himself was standing behind him. But wait, wouldn't Robern just kill Kel? Kel's smirk faded away, realizing now he had to deal with a violent crime boss. Kel slowly turned with his hands up, showing he was an unarmed civilian and maybe he would be spared. This is it. I shouldn't have come to Sunberth. I've gotten no where. I should have just stayed in Zeltiva. Studied more I guess. And I'm not even rich. Oh Gods, so many regrets. Thoughts raced through his mind, but they all vanished once he looked upon Robern's face. All of the tension inside Kel was released as he looked upon a face that didn't belong to Robern Dalagnar. "Oh Gods, you scared me. I thought you were Robern when you said 'my mansion.' Kel sighed as he wiped his forehead. "Anyway I would say this place is pretty much public property these days don't you think?" The whole city was at the mercy of the mob these days. Private property was quickly becoming a thing of the past.

[Gad]

"Can't argue with that." Gad said friendly enough as he looked around the burned out structure. To a cursory eye there wasn't anything interesting about this place. Nothing stuck out, but anything that would've stuck out would have already been gone, he reasoned. Those Daggerhand are good at covering their tracks. he thought back to last night Then again, maybe it's best for them this placed burned down when the city went after Robern. He escaped, and now any clues about where he might've gone are up in smoke. Gad couldn't help lamenting what the mob think had squandered. The man seemed relieved to see that Gad wasn't Robern, Gad smiled. "You know, that was pretty bold of you." The wizard laughed "If you thought I was Robern, I mean." That was an interesting response. "Pretty dangerous guy I've heard." Gad walked around the room, letting his back to the man, though he remained aware of his position. Gad looked around the floors inspecting them, not really certain what to look for. He smiled as he realized how obvious it was. Follow the Mizas. Shyke, we have to hope whatever records ol' Roby kept are still in one piece. Gad tossed his head back and looked up through a gaping hole in the ceiling. On the floor, beneath it, was a pile of burned up crossbeams and wooden planks. Charred and collapsed. But, Gad could see the two floors above. I'd have to search everyone of these floors he thought and I still might not find it. To the man he said. "So, what are you doing hanging out in a place like this? You can't be a treasure hunter, all the valuables are gone." He looked at the man now, having traversed the room, and now was on the opposite side of the room from this man as he'd started. "Do you know if this place has a cellar?" Gad inquired and his eyes rolled over the corners of the room, and looked around to see if there was a hatch or door into a subterranean portion of the mansions. "Sure it has to." He afirmed. "Where'd he have his weird rich guy orgies and gangster meetings?" Gad scratched his head casually.

[Kel Ehmry]

The man seemed friendly enough to Kel, seeing as he wasn't dead yet, but the Zetlivan didn't put let his guard down completely. This was Sunberth after all, and there was no telling who this guy was or what he really wanted. But for now Kel would trust that he wasn't about to get stuck with a dagger. For now he was an ally, the type of person that was few and far between in this lawless town. Kel coughed and spat at the ground again. "Well, I guess you have to have at least some bravery to try and hunt Robern Dalagnar" he said with a smirk. "Or maybe stupidity also" he chuckled as he started inspecting the floor a bit more. He covered his mouth and nose and swept dust and ash into the air, trying to uncover anything else that could have been laying under the thick layer of soot. "Well, I can't say I wouldn't mind finding treasure in this place, but that's not why I'm here" Kel said jokingly. "I'm looking for anything that may lead me to Robern. What about you? What brings you to this pile of rubble?" Kel watched the man move across the room, before finally inquiring about the cellar. A cellar? I'm sure I would of thought of that if I had enough time to think the last time I was here Kel crossed his arms. "I haven't seen one but I also haven't looked for one. Kinda ran into some of them good ol' Daggerhand thugs last time around." Moved around the room searching for anything that may lead to a cellar. A latch, a lever, a bookcase. Yeah right, a bookcase...Kel scoffed to himself.

[Gad]

Gad laughed at the gentleman's mention of Robern and the audacity it took to try and hunt him down."Indeed you would be. As for what brings me here, same thing as you from the sound of it. There's a price on ol' Roby's head, and I aim to collect." Gad grinned. "So, I guess that makes us competetion? Hahaha, I kid, I kid. I'd love an extra set of eyes to help me look, if you'd have me... Name's Gad by the way. Sorry for the scare I gave yah back there. You mentioned Daggerhand a moment ago? Well, I've had problems with the lot too, couldn't be too careful if you were one of them. Had to bluff. " He finally noticed something interesting. A hatch. The young wizard knelt down and brushed the ash off of the the square door in the floor, careful all the while to guard his mouth against dust inhalation. "Hmm, here it is. I bet we get down there and found all sorts of goodies. Maybe find a little light reading about where Roby's been spending his coin, he's probably got a little hideaway ducked off somewhere." Gad reasoned aloud. He lifted up the padlock on the door with two fingers, and then let it slack with a slam back to the wooden hatch. "But, it's locked from the looks of it." Gad refocused his attention to the exposed upper floors. He stood and made his way to the stair case. "Come on, I don't think there's too much down here. We might find a key or something to break it open with upstairs." Gad began to make his way up the damaged staircase, cautious the whole way. Once the pair made their ways to the upper floors they'd have to be careful when searching. From the looks of the place, the floorboards could collapse out from underneath them if they got reckless.

[Kel Ehmry]

Kel smiled at the man, seeing that their goals were aligned. Having an extra hand in this mess would certainly make things easier, especially if any other thugs sprung up. Of course Kel considered what would happen to the prize on Robern's head if they both brought him in. Would they simply split it? Or would the two fight over it? Whatever. Kel would worry himself about that later. The hunt had just begun. "Agreed" Kel nodded. "Gad? I'm Kel, pleasure to meet you" he said cheerfully. Well hopefully with the recent pyre Daggerhands won't be of too much trouble to us" Kel and Gad paced about the room for several chimes before Gad finally knelt down, having found something. It was the latch he was seeking before. Kel smirked, ready to uncover all of Robern's secrets. But his smile faded as the pair found the latch to be locked. Gad stood back up and drifted towards the staircase, calling for Kel to follow. Kel obliged, not having explored the upper floors yet. As the two crept up the stairs, Kel glanced around, seeing small clouds of dust and ash fall from the ceiling. It looked as though the mansion was crumbling apart. Kel just hoped it would wait for them to leave first. At the top of the stairs was another hallway, similar to the one on the first floor, with doors to different rooms on both sides. "Well, I guess I'll start here" Kel sighed as he walked through the first door on the left. Kel could see that the curtains were closed shut, only allowing a thin outline of light into the dark room. Kel clutched the curtain by its side and pulled, allowing the sunlight to flood the room. Kel briefly shielded his eyes before they adjusted to the brightness. "That's better" he muttered as he began his search.

[Gad]

When the duo arrived on the second floor there were doors lining the hall on either side of them. Kel took off to the left, so Gad was content to search the right hand side. Most of the rooms up here were looted, just like the downstairs. Gad gently pushed doors open as he made his way down the hall, scanning them quickly with his eyes and not stopping unless he saw something of interest, which was usually not as interesting upon further inspection. Gad was on the fourth room down the hall when he thought he had something. He'd tried the door, but it seemed locked. He tried kicking it open only to find it sturdily immovable. He stroked his chin and thought. What've you got locked away in here Robern? Something heavy was blocking the door from the other side. Gad looked over his shoulder. Kel seemed to be busy investigating on the other side of the hallway, so Gad took the chance to covertly expel some of his djed in the form of Projection. From his elbows down the wizard's arms went limp. "Now just gotta, ngh! Squeeze em-...underneath here." Gad's Projected arms pushed underneath the door, squeezing out of shape as they slid through the crack and ballooning back into hand form once they had been extruded to the other side. He couldn't see his ghostly hands on the other side of the door, but he had a good idea of where in space they were. At about chest level he could feel something. It was big. Wider than he was tall and it's height was to the Benshira's chest almost. It was heavy too. He pushed on it with all the might his spirit body could muster, and he could feel it begin to tip over. Slightly at first but then more so as it feel over. He heard several hard smacks against the floor but wasn't sure what that was, and then he heard one big crash as the door blocking object feel over on the other side of the door. Gad opened the door now and stepped through to see that it was a bookcase and the several small slams he'd heard were hard cover books falling out of the shelves as he tipped it over. The book shelf must've toppled over in the blaze, sparring this room the looters. Miraculously, it also seemed relatively devoid of fire damage, though the signs of the blaze were still noticeable. This room he'd stepped into was large and had a higher ceiling than the others, and every wall was lined with one of these book cases. "Guess Roby was a reader. Whatever." Gad stepped over the toppled book case and did a full turn, looking at every inch of the room. "Kel!" He shouted to his companion. "You better come take a look at this. I think I found Robern's ...library?" Dust clouds kicked up and refracted the columns of light shining through the high windows. Gad picked up a dusty tome and blew the coating off the cover, read the title, and, deciding it was impertinent, tossed it back to the ground. "There's gotta be something worthwhile in this dump."

[Kel Ehmry]

Kel was practically tearing the room apart. He opened drawers and cupboards, and then angrily slammed them shut when he found nothing in them. He checked underneath furniture, as if some Robern was really going to hide stuff underneath a couch. But that didn't stop Kel from looking. Everytime Kel reached a dead end he would swear under his breath and find something else to look at. When he thought he had sufficiently tore this room apart, he moved toward a door, thinking it would lead to another room. Kel grabbed the door knob and turned it to no avail. The damn thing was stuck. Kel sighed and frantically began to jiggle it back and forth. Finally he heard a click and the knob completed a full rotation. The door opened and Kel peered inside, before swearing once again. It was just a storage closet. Kel glanced around the small space. And then it hit him, an awful stench that made the Zeltivan nearly vomit. His eyes watered as he put his sleeve to his nostrils. A burnt corpse was slouched against the back corner of the closet. Kel noticed scratch marks on the inside of the door and the walls. Keeping his nostrils sealed, he approached the dead man to see if he could lift anything off of him. With his right arm Kel checked what was left of the poor man, but found nothing. Anything the man had was probably torched with him. And then Gad called for him. "A library!?" Kel called back eagerly. Kel raced out of the closet and toward the room Gad had entered, on the right side of the hallway.There was an open door that on the other side of the room that Gad must have opened. Kel cautiously entered and found himself surrounded by books. "Good work Gad, all I found was a smelly dead guy," Kel laughed as he began to sift through the books. "Pretty lucky that this place survived the fire isn't it?" Most of the books Kel went through would provide little use to the pair. History books, fictional tales, and some books on various sciences. All were there but not particularly useful right now. Finally Kel stumbled upon a thick blue book with gold lettering, simply titled Daggerhand. Kel began flipping through it. It appeared to be a record book, having information about organization members, activities, records, everything someone who wanted to learn about the Daggerhands needed. "Looks like this ought to be of some use," Kel said as he tossed the book over to Gad.

[Gad]

Gad's ear quirked at Kel's mention of his discovery. "Dead guy huh? Weird, but I guess not all of Robern's Daggerhand thugs could've made it out of here in one piece. Gad thought about what condition the body must've been in and was glad he didn't find the extra crispy corpse. Once Kel was in the room, the man quickly retrieved something valuable from the walls of dusty tomes that looked valuable. The book flew through the air and Gad caught it by the binding in his left hand. The man's ease and eagerness around books caused Gad to quirk an eyebrow. "You're not from Sunberth are you? What's your trade?" Gad peeled the ledger of illegal activities open and began thumbing through the work. It contained various expenses, a list of all personnel in Robern's employ, and basically accounted for all the Mizas that ever touched a Daggerhand. There was no doubt something useful contained within, but Gad furrowed his brow. He placed the book to where Kel could see it over his should and laid a finger on a line of characters. "What the petch is that supposed to mean?" It took a moment for Gad to realize it was in some kind of code, and that many of the expenses were hidden similarly. You're a shrewd one, Robby, I'll give you that. Gad thumbed through the book some more until he found something in Common that he could read. "Huh. Look here. It mentions a hide out. Mm. Doesn't say where it is- least not wheres I can read it. But, it does say something good." Gad tapped the lines of words with the tip of his index and showed Kel. It read: Spring 18, 509AV Put Soren on at the hideaway as staff. He thinks he's a clever sort, the lout. I've got an eye on him. Spring 20, 509AV Libyana's been handling this for me. She's kept account of our silver stores at the hideaway, and all of the sudden their disappearing in the night. I told her to look into it. I don't want to condemn a good solider on pure suspicion, I need proof. Spring 23, 509 AV Just as I thought, the petcher was looting candlesticks and silverware. Damn shame, boy had ways to make my debtors scream that I'll surely miss. Not to worry, Teygar will give him a taste of his own. Gad flipped through a few more pages before speaking. "I don't see any other mention of the hideaway, at least not in Common, but I bet it's exactly what it sounds like. What d'yah think, worth a shot?" Not sure if he himself was equipped to handle it, Gad turned the book back over to Kel.