Things were starting to look bad sooner than Hereward could have thought. And the day already started off poorly. He wasn’t too concerned with a scholar arguing with one of their freaks unless it slowed them down. Which it did and none of the others took care of the situation.
He silently counted how many lashings each would receive when the giant got involved. Yet neither had their heads taken, nor the issue resolved. The giant coming to this position was uncomforting at best, but he at least didn’t stay for long. Somehow, despite the arguing, they managed to get to a barrier.
And then from nowhere, something jumped out of the passage. Hereward braced, it was tight but he was ready to cut down the thing. If it was down here, it either was no longer human or a threat to their mission. Though for reasons that only the gods far above could know, their leaders decided to negotiate with the fool.
The box is still closed, yet madness has escaped.
“What should we make of this?” Hereward quietly asks for any in his unit to answer.
“More or less but there would need to be a discussion had before I decide whether or not to help you guys.” Callen says to Vaughn, “Just some business talk with the folks in charge about shares of the loot, how the profits get divided up, some ground rules and some info on who I’d be working with; and, of course, payment for the job in and of itself.”
The Verdant Paladin decided that this man was no threat to the voyage, so turned to the task at hand. “What has stopped our movement?” He asks the man who had been navigating this whole time.
The company ahead was halted, and now a few of the more outspoken ones were conversing with a figure Bren hadn’t seen enter Gravesbane. He heard enough to catch the stranger’s name and his mission, but his mind was on the door.
While everyone was distracted by Callen, Bren passed a glance towards Vaita.
“I’ll be right back. Perhaps I could be of use here.”
Bren will then proceed to do what he can to examine the door in the time everyone else is speaking with Callen.
Iosif finally made it to the door while being as stealthy as possible to avoid the… Current issues… And also to dodge Kanei. Hopefully the absurd amount of people here would potentially show him down-
Oh…
Iosif immediately spun on his heel and pretended to be extremely interested in the blank wall.
“But … how did you get in? I thought we had the only entrance and key.”
The Alliance Representative interjects. She seems the only one that is entirely unfazed by your presence. “Weird door.”
As you approach, the Scholar Representative turns to you.
“This door is different from the others. We’re not sure how it opens.” He gestures from you to the door. “Your Representative thought you’d be able to help.”
He startles as he remembers Iosif, and almost as an afterthought adds, with a patronizing smile, “Iosif, my boy, give us a little light, would you?”
Callen gives a lighthearted chuckle, “One great thing about ruins is that you don’t necessarily need to use the front door to get into places.” He says, “And scavengers like me have a talent for finding such things.”
“Now, are we gonna chat about employing my services or what?” He asks.
He gives Vaughn a smirk, “Do I know where the storehouses are?” He asks, “Buddy, I know where those and the factories are hiding out but the loot there isn’t always easy to grab.”
“Sometimes, you’re gonna have to risk your life for the prize to get to the good stuff.” He warns, “And, because of that risk, we will need to have a chat about my services and the cost thereof if you want me to guide you.”
He was also suddenly anxious at the fact that he would now have to converse with someone other than Vaita.
“Oh, um-,” Bren whispered as he halted suddenly. “I, uh, I apologize, I was-”
Bren simply stares, dumbfounded. He gave a quick, but concerned look back towards Iosif. It suddenly felt like all eyes were on him. He wanted more than anything in this moment to slink back under his cloak.
Bren glanced back at the boy in the machine. Something about it looked painful. Bren imagined it might feel like a multitude of cattle prods.
He had wondered how this machine worked, and he supposed he was about to see. But now, unusually, the boy was more interesting to Bren. He had a feeling he had been here for some deeper reason.
“I see” he says, then he walks to the door. He runs his hand along the edge to find a seem big enough for his fingers. When he can’t find any, he turns to the representatives and says “permission to break down the door?”
Iosif took a moment to realize he was being addressed - it was a very nice wall, after all - but when he did he immediately popped to attention in a slightly over exaggerated manner. “Yes sir, yes sir…”
He fumbled for a moment, and produced the catskin. One of the Scholars’ aides snatched it from him and began to charge the backplate.
“Loot like equipment is first come first serve on this expedition. Money is divided evenly.”
Someone behind him - one of his aides - begins to speak, “If that is not agreeab-” but is silenced with a hand gesture.
The door is smooth, stone, with metal strips around the edges. Placed symmetrically in this door, offset from the edge, are four metal plates, which seem to be hinged, but locked with pins. Each pin has two crosspieces, at top and bottom.
“There’s usually a spot for a …” The Representative lowers his voice, “keystone, here,” he points to the center of the door, “and that usually opens the door. Not this time, though.”
“…You could try,” He looks incredulously from you to the door, “based on what we’ve seen so far, it’s probably a solid five inches of stone, though.”
Those of you completely focused on Callen notice a harsh yellow glow starts to emanate from the front of the procession.
“Well, there’s unstable structures and floors, maybe some traps and security measures and some have had Gores taking up residence within them.” Callen says as if this was completely normal.
“That sounds fair but I have a few conditions of my own, if I may.” He adds.
“Alright,” The aide, tired from the excursion, handed the catskin back to Iosif. “Should last a good while. Hey,” He continued under his breath to Iosif. “How quickly d’you think that big guy could break you in half?”
Iosif ignored the comment. He was now glowing like a lightbulb; bright enough for the whole group to have noticed him. Any exposed portion of skin was a beacon in the darkness. Some of the Scholars of Sulgent subtly raised their Sunstones into the general path of light for a small recharge.
Taking a brief glance of suspicion at Bren, Iosif turned his attention back to the Representative.
“Well, every man has their secrets and I ask you respect that about me; if I tell you guys something is off-limits, it’s off-limits without question. Next, you pay me an advance of about 340 (basically GP) of your currency and grant me protection, I’m no use to anyone dead. And lastly, I know about what skills all of you have to offer; I’ve told you my skill set, it’s only fair you share as well.” Callen says.
“Oh, and I like to be on a first name basis with my clients and those I work with.” He adds.
The Representative seems to no longer be paying attention to you, focusing instead on the door, but when you turn your exposed face to him, he squints and scowls. “Watch-” his voice is sharp at first, but softens almost immediately. “Careful where you look, Iosif.” He lets out a fake chuckle.
“… We can give you 300. We didn’t exactly bring a trove of gold with us.”
“We’re what you’d expect.” An aide from the Scholars cuts in, hastily. Too hastily. The Representatve ignores him, says,
“We’re like you, but more spread out over individuals. Soldiers, explorers, engineers.”
“I’m Aron, Representative for the Kingdom. That is Anji, Representative for the Alliance. And over there,” He gestures to the door, and then shades his eyes from the light, “is Raest, Representative for the Scholars. What in blackgates is going on over there?”