Expedition (Dusk, Hadrian, Ha'na, Jilitse, Guido, Closed)

[Guido Faragas]

If I want to buy dust, this is the place to come. Guido’s first glimpse of Undeniable Interests left him more appreciative of his own cleaning talents. He had always regarded himself as somewhat deficient in the domestic arts; however, the proprietor of this establishment had taken the skill of not cleaning to hitherto un-scaled heights. Moreover, the dust rapidly travelled up Guido’s nostrils and he could not restrain a short sneeze, scattering a few particles over an array of objects that cluttered together on a nearby shelf.

It was not an auspicious entrance for the young archaeologist – still, there was no doubt that the shop promised a cornucopia of fascinating objects littered amongst the books, potions and antiques that adorned the place. In other circumstances, Guido would have been happy to have spent many bells exploring. Now, however, he was here for a specific reason and he had no time to gawp. There were already two figures present in the shop, standing hand in hand – a woman with startling blue eyes and a taller, dark-haired man. Are they part of the expedition? He was about to introduce himself, when the door opened and two other figures entered. The first, a graceful woman immediately introduce herself as Jilitse and her companion as Hadrian – a blue-eyed human. But it was not their names that most sparked the reimancer’s interest but the revelation that she was a Nuit. He couldn’t restrain a quick stare at the woman as she continued to speak, his own emerald eyes blinking rapidly, betraying his nervousness.

“Indeed, I am part of the expedition,” he replied to Jilitse when she had finished speaking. “I am Guido – Guido Faragas.” He said no more, merely giving a short bow to those present. There was little time for further conversation before the proprietor shuffled into view and then, after uttering no more than a few words, hastened out of the shop inviting all present to follow.

Horses! Shyke! Guido’s experience with riding had been limited to the ride to and from the labyrinth during the summer. His pride and backside was still only just recovering. He could just about sit on a well-tempered animal but his mounting and dismounting technique was somewhat haphazard. However, when the small group arrived at the stables, there were only two packhorses and a pony waiting and Dominac clambered on the back of the pony. As Guido glanced around to check if there were mounts provided for by the company or they were expected to walk, Dominac set off on his way mumbling about Bloodbane vaults and newly discovered doors.... sounds like one of my father’s tales but I suspect there is more truth to this. What does the old fellow expect to find behind the door? Others were wondering too – and Hadrian voiced the question aloud. A door?

[Alistair deGrey]

So many memories, recent and otherwise, bubbled up as the other members of their expedition gathered. Hadrian and Jilitse. The condescending, yet somehow alluring, animator and the criminal accomplice walked into the room. He had mixed emotions about them both, and the inventor stifled them rather than drag up any conflict. Wiping away the dust of what had transpired in the past seemed less wise than simply constructing a new relationship. So he did not say anything in the shop, except to provide an answer to Jilitse, "correct on both accounts." His eyes scanned Hadrian again, that ambiguous figure from his past. Alistair gripped Ha'na's hand with equal intensity, taking solace from his shame in her touch. The last time he had seen Hadrian, they had been students at the University of Zeltiva, and the inventor had been rather... Distressed. It was, however, the perfect opportunity to start anew. So he did not say hello to Hadrian, or offer any indication that he knew him. He simply gave the youth a nod. As they emptied out and trailed to the gates, deGrey kept mainly to himself. Communication between the inventor and his wife could remain notedly silent, which was probably a result of two socially retarded individuals forming a bond. He had not yet summoned the moxy to speak to Hadrian, and for some inexplicable reason the same feeling applied itself to Jilitse. As for the other man, deGrey hadn't the slightest who he was. The first thing Alistair noticed upon their arrival at the gates was the lack of horses for the others. Two pack horses, and that was it. Apparently we were supposed to arrange our own transportation. So the group padded along behind Dominac and his dumpy beasts. Each word the ancient thing rattled off imprinted itself in Alistair's mind, and he began formulating questions that would likely irritate the old man. Ha'na leaned closer, and inquired about the type of ruins they were going to. Truthfully, Alistair hadn't the slightest. Yet he was more than willing to share any logical inferences with her, "I cannot say for sure, my love. I would suppose they're Alahean though, as I believe most of this region was within their boundaries. Just as well, I'd think this was a name attributed after the Valterrian, as I doubt they would name their own vaults something like Bloodbane. Of course, that means what awaits us may not be... Safe." He gave her a timid smile, hardly reassuring. He turned his attentions to Dominac, and took a deep breath as he prepared to bombard him with much verbal ordinance, "So what exactly is a Bloodbane vault? Are we looking for something specific? Where does my knowledge of mechanisms come into play? It would be best to inform me ahead of time, so I might work out any problems that will arise before they actually hit us. Just as well, to reiterate what Hadrian here has meant, what exactly will we find behind this door?" Alistair proceeded to shrink within himself, moving closer to Ha'na. For some reason, he expected to be berated for his inquiries.

[Jilitse]

Jilitse trailed behind her companions, her small golem following closely behind. The golem could freely move, but seem to respond to Jilitse's voice more than anything else. The little golem wheeled by her side, often outdistancing the Nuit, who was disdainfully walking as fast as she could. By Nuit standards, this meant that she was likely the last of the group to reach the gates. There was a mute elegance to how she carried herself, a little bit out-of-place.

She eyed each companion warily from behind, often spending a long gaze at Guido and Hana, both unfamiliar to her. The woman, Alistair's wife, no doubt. She eyed her curiously, as if trying to locate her Chevas mark. Alistair, she had met recently, and Hadrian, she was acquainted with in the Inner Sanctum. Dominac, well, let's just say Jilitse the Nuit had known Dominac longer than anyone of them would have. She was a regular customer at the Undeniable Interests, albeit she only visited every other year.

The Nuit looked upon the packhorses, checking the items the old man had brought along. She peeled her unblinking eyes from her companions, and bolted them at the horses. She had only tried to ride once, and never did so again. For some reason, some of these four-hooved fiends were quite allergic to the undead. The last steed she tried to ride kicked her violently, leaving her almost dead. No, never again would she endanger her body that way.

She listened quietly, staring at everyone's back as Dominac sped away at a pace convenient even for Jilitse. She smiled, teeth hiding her blackening tongue. Her current body, Clarissa's mother, was at the vestiges of its strength. Soon she would wither away and transfer into a new body. The mention of Ivak made Jilitse pause for a while. The Valterrian happened so long ago, and yet, she could remember it like it was yesterday. Her first memories as a Nuit, mostly centered on being secluded beneath the earth, cradled in Sahova's arms, was of great fear of the destruction of the world. Who did not know the Valterrian? Yes, but who among the group, remembered it as well as Jilitse. Time was a humorous subject for Jilitse. She could easily look back a hundred years ago and remember it like it was yesterday. She considered Dominac's profession of tribulations a concern that had plagued the world since the great war. Ivak is about to break free, Ivak will be released from prison. The world will be vanquished once again. Anytime now. Wait for it. Wait for it. However, if you feared damnation for hundreds of years, the passing of time would eventually wear it down. The fear would fade away, and all that's left is the wait. The world, ever changing, never changing.

She hummed and the golem beside her stopped, Jilitse shuffled the stuff she had inside and carefully took out a cloth bound with a thread. This was the first time she was bringing it out since her escape from Sahova. And she wouldn't trust anyone with it, even Dominac. Except that the situation called for a peek. It was then the Nuit languidly skipped ahead of everyone and trotted - trotted! - beside Dominac.

"I have something you may want to see. It is a map of Alahea." Jilitse whispered to Dominac, almost as if she didn't want the others to hear, "It has places as they were a long time ago. I only ask that if you find this helpful, that you help me find a cartographer who would aid in locating where places are after Valterrian."

A little more clearly, she asked, "What should we expect from our expedition? Given the door's recent discovery, are we to assume that there will be others who will march their way there? I shall be honest," though her dead-pan tone made her emotions unclear, "I am not skilled in neither physical nor magic combat. I am afraid that in that sense I would only be dead weight."

[Dusk]

As Jilitse offered up the map, Dominac reached down to take it with a mumbled something-or-other and carefully began to pour over it. His horse, slow and boring as it was, still had the sense to shy away from the walking corpse, and Dominac simply let it sidle away as he concentrated on the map. "A useful thing, this," he murmured, squinting as he held it so close to his face that it almost brushed his nose. "Not as useful as you'd think," he snickered, finally handing it back to Jili with a nod of thanks, "but it certainly has great value. Problem is, most of the world was shaken up like a wife snapping dust out of a carpet - don't exactly end up in the same place it started. We can have a good look at that when I get back, though, never you fear." He grabbed up the reins once more and got his horse back on track, though it still moved slowly enough that no one had to rush to keep up. "And you all need to bone up on your history," he grumbled, throwing a glare around at the lot of them. "Before the Valterrian, Alahea was best known for its applications of magic. Every ruler was also a great wizard - except the last Emperor, Kovinus. Well, you can imagine how much all those high and mighty wizardly types loved that. And to top it all off, he was a peaceful type in a time of war. The most powerful of the wizards began splintering off, starting their own factions, secretly breaking the laws the Emperor laid down and plotting either the downfall of Suvan or of Kovinus himself. And when you get a bunch of badass sorcerers holed up somewhere with limitless resources and no government to oversee them... well, you come up with some pretty interesting stuff." He paused the story as a huge fork in the road became evident, where the eastern path from Syliras ended at the great Kabrin Road. A right turn would take them south through the widespread farmland and on to Cyphrus; instead he turned them north, which should have taken them up through Sylira and into Taldera - assuming they were going much further than they currently planned. There were several Knights to be found patrolling the roads, usually in pairs, none of which seemed at all inclined to interrupt the intrepid group. When they'd realigned themselves on the correct path, Dominac continued. "Mintrazi Bloodbane was one of the more powerful wizards who argued against the crowning of Kovinus. He was famous for blending magic and technology, making little gadgets and machines that were imbued with Magecrafting and Malediction and all manner of magic shyke. And it's a well-known fact among certain circles that he'd done most of his work in a secret laboratory near his family's estates in northern Alahea. Which just so happens to be..." he chuckled, wagging a finger in the direction they were all heading. "Now, to answer your questions, I don't know what the petch is behind the door other than the possibility of a fat lot of magical contraptions and pre-Valterrian treasures. Alistair, you're here because I don't know jack about machinery, and it'll be your job to figure out what some of this crap is for. And no, we won't have to worry about anyone trailing behind us immediately," he said with a self-satisfied smirk, "because the kid I have working for me, the one who gave me the head's up on the door, is currently trussed up in a wine cellar so he can't go selling the information to anyone else. 'Course, anyone who notices me leave is likely to put together their own group and follow behind, so I'm guessing we'll have about a three or four day headstart. But all we have to do is get back to the Kabrin Road before they catch up to us, and I can get a few of the Knights to escort us. They're always quite willing so long as you tithe to the Grandmaster," he said with a roll of his eyes.

[Hadrian]

Hadrian kept pace without too much trouble given the length of his legs, though he would certainly be exhausted by nightfall the way things were going. He loved a good ramble around a city to get his blood moving and his thoughts flowing past blocks, but even the long ones were not the same as travel outside where the terrain was more difficult. He vowed, though, that he would show no ill signs from the traveling, not in front of Ha'na and her psychotic husband. They were married. He could spot a Chevas mark as easily as anyone else. He looked everywhere, frequently engaging his auristic vision to ferret out some extra detail if he was able. He listened to everything, too. Jilitse was already someone whose knowledge he respected, even if they didn't exactly get along famously as old friends. Alistair was apparently the psychopath's name, and Hadrian would just smile and nod to whatever he said in an attempt not to be killed in his sleep, skinned, and turned into a Hadrian suit. Ha'na would go for someone like that. Her old lover or owner or whatever had sounded like a jackass too. But mostly he was listening for clues from Dominac, more information to fit together in his brain as they walked. "What's to stop you from trussing us up and leaving us for the wolves and other treasure hunters once we've extracted whatever booty's available?" he asked, suspicious, but laughing nervously as if it were a joke. Shyke, he was surrounded by probable sociopaths: tricksy Dominac, stockholm syndrome Ha'na, pyromaniac psychokiller Alistair, and Jilitse ... well, he assumed all Nuit were a little nuts after his brief sojourn on Sahova. He glanced at Guido, wondering if it were possible that he would be an ally if the rest of them snapped and went retard strong on him. Then he sighed, wondering why he was even here. Oh right, Dominac had started talking about pre-Valterrian relics and stuff that was still giving Hadrian a bit of a boner. Sighing again, he tried to readjust himself without attracting undue notice.

[Guido Faragas]

Although walking was tiring on his limbs, Guido bounced along, relieved to be free of the potential burden of riding a horse. He still had nightmares about his previous ride to the labyrinth. Nightmares in which a small, scaly creature was scrubbing his backside with tiny, pointed claws. He shuddered at the memory, adjusting the heavy rucksack on his back as he strode determinedly forwards. Attached to his rucksack were his elegant, carved shortbow and a plain quiver of arrows.

The terrain was familiar at first, for the young archaeologist had spent many days on digs in the surrounding countryside and had a good knowledge of the geography of the area. He also had some knowledge of local history. Consequently, he listened intently to Dominac’s answers to the questions that his companions posed. Mintrazi Bloodbane... gadgets and magic...I should be able to tell some fine stories in the Stallion if I survive this journey in one piece..

He had remained largely silent on the journey so far, content to let events unfold. However, he noticed the gazes often directed towards him and the small signs of tension amongst some of his companions. They wonder who I am and what my role is. He was about to throw a few questions at Dominac when he noticed the glance from Hadrian. Time to start some bonding – I suspect we will need some co-operation between us before this venture is over.

Guido moved to walk beside Hadrian. “So what brings you on this expedition? Alistair is clearly here to bring to bear his experience on machinery. I guess that I am here as ....an archaelogist...Why did Dominac ask you to join?” He asked the questions in a friendly tone, allowing his lips to part in a brief smile.

[Hana]

If the threat of danger was supposed to upset the typically timid woman, it hadn’t managed to do so yet. In fact there may have been the very slightest twitch upwards of her lips and a certain twinkle in her eyes that hadn’t been there before. She would have informed Hadrian that the proper term for someone like her was masochist had she known what he was thinking of her, but currently he was too busy sporting an erection. And while that was his typical state of being, she was too busy being absolutely terrified that Alistair would find out the type of woman she’d actually been before her life in Syliras to even bother acting embarrassed of noticing said erection. She glanced at Alistair when Dominac mentioned tying someone up to keep them quiet. Her eyes got a little wide, silently begging him to take in what they’d just heard. She was good at being a wife, and part of being a wife was giving your husband a what in gods’ names have you gotten us into? look from time-to-time. “Is…” She paused, taking a deep pause in hopes of gathering up her voice a little. “Is three days really going to be enough? And…” She glanced around to the people around her. “And, ah… Never mind. I’m very sorry.” She had some concerns about the rocks and shifting within the mountain. Personally she didn’t want to get trapped in a mountain vault with any of these people except for Alistair. She was having trouble remembering the fancy smart-people words for rocks.

[Hadrian]

Hadrian tried again to calculate the odds that Guido would be an ally if they, say, got stuck in the wilderness through the winter and had to draw straws at which person to kill for eating. Perhaps it would be better to run off on his own with whatever he managed to extract from the vault and pray desperately for Caiyha's favor, hoping she would teach him how to hibernate or something. Not that he had enough fat on him to last him the winter, but that lack of meat to his bones might also save him from being the first one killed for his man meat. "Magic," he said tersely, then realized he was probably not doing himself any favors in being his normal antisocial self when he needed help surviving. He waggled his fingers at the man with faux mysticism and smiled. "Just don't let Alistair near any fires," he added in a quiet tone. Or Ha'na near your money, he wanted to add, but didn't. Apparently they were keeping mum about their prior relationship, whatever that was. "I suppose it's up to me to make sure nobody sets off any magical booby traps while Alistair disables any physical traps. I guess. Perhaps Jilitse just wants me around to look at."

[Guido Faragas]

Hadrian’s reply to Guido’s query was a little cryptic and left the archaeologist a little puzzled and anxious. Was the tall man trying to warn his companion about Alistair in some way? Or, was it merely a humorous comment relating to some previous incident? Whatever the true import of the words, he couldn’t let the aside go unremarked, particularly given Guido’s own penchant for fire.

“Does Alistair have an aversion or obsession with fire?” He whispered the comment for the tall man’s ears only. “That might be a problem if.....well, fire is one of my....specialities. Although I suspect that I am here for my archaeological skills, I also have some talent, as you do, in the magical arts, particularly the manipulation of fire.” Although he whispered his words to Hadrian, there was no hiding Guido’s enthusiasm as he talked of fire.

[Alistair deGrey]

Alistair was attuned to Ha'na. Unlike essentially every other organism on the surface of Mizahar, he understood her feelings and looks. So when she shot him a look, he could do nothing but give her a look that said "I'm sorry" and shrug. "My love I do not know what to say... Perhaps we could substitute a stalagmite?" The apologetic look on his face remained only an instant before it was washed away in favor of a deep red blush. "Oh..." The inventor lapsed into silence for a few moments, absently rubbing his wrist. His mind was piqued by the thought she allowed to trail off, but his embarrassment muted any queries. Alistair understood his wife's feelings and looks, most of the time. He glanced over at Dominac, "Anyway, um, could we not simply lock the door from the inside? I'm quite sure that anywhere we go that would harbor so many artifacts wouldn't go without at least a simple lock. Though... Though I suppose that wouldn't stop them from breaking in, would it?" Having answered his own question, he looked a little sheepishly at their leader. Old acquaintances, social situations, stupid questions, this entire expedition was turning out excellently. It will all pay off eventu- A root. Many things could trip a human: roots, other feet, bolts of cloth, et cetera. But as Alistair let out a rather quiet and piteous cry of surprise, he looked down to see a root emerging from the ground. As if the petching thing had lifted itself from the earth to make this day slightly less pleasant. deGrey collapsed onto the ground, unable to stop himself with his hands and banging his chin against the dirt. Staring at the small centipede skittering away about three inches from his face, Alistair wondered how much effort it would really take to look where he was going. A mild curse escaped his lips, and he scrambled back to his feet rather than be left behind. Brushing the dirt and rocks from his palms, he resumed his pace beside Ha'na. The only indication of the incident was the fact Alistair now stared at where he was walking, clearly not trusting his coordination. This would not bode well for his reputation with his peers. Alistair threw one more look at Hadrian, biting his lower lip. So much failure.