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Scales and Honor

Chapter 29: Shady Dealings

Lyndis strolled down the busy streets of Entis, whistling a tune she had heard her mother sing when she was small. She recalled the song sung of better days on the horizon, or at least that is what she remembered. She easily moved through the sea of people, hardly slowing down her fast pace as they brushed passed her. She turned her head as a clock tower chimed loudly, it's high pitched noise sounded nine times one right after the other. It's already nine bells? Her attention returned to the streets as a large cart came within inches of her. It was made of fine mahogany wood, painted dark red that reminded her of blood. The edges of the cart were painted with a thin layer of gold paint, and appeared to be peeling slighting along it's surface.

She was on her way to find Asterion, who had left early that morning to go visit a temple of Kord within the city. She had found this out from Mary as Arcturus and Gus had been busy bickering. Gus apparently had been teasing the human for rubbing the dragon the other day at dinner, and Arcturus was trying to defend himself. She chuckled into her steaming coffee as the human looked quite flustered as he blushed again. Just tell the dragon how you feel stupid. She had taken a sip of the divine liquid, and sighed as it's warmth had spread to the rest of her body.

Returning her attention to the cobbled street she was currently placing her footsteps. She missed the familiar smell of Drenedar's own city, at least they smelled flowers and other natural smells. These streets smelled of stone, working horses, and metal. With her next breath she smelled the cooking food coming from various vendors in the market district. She felt her nose try to tug her in that direction towards the alluring smell of roasted boar, mixed with a hearty amount of spices. No you have a mission Lyndis.

She pulled herself away from the smell with a regretful sigh. There will be time to eat later. After of course. She passed a collection of guards that were busy waving to all various of people with cheerful faces. She watched the people wave back, appearing to be genuinely happy to see them. I guess Arcturus did a fine job with the city guard here. She knew in most places were the guard were a pain in the arse or corrupt in some way. Probably because he was a honorable man. She quickened her pace across the street, as she gave the approaching guards a wide berth. Even though she knew her disguise would most likely keep her hidden, she could not quite shake the feeling they could see through it. Great now I am sounding like Veledar. She laughed to herself as she came to a stop, and rummaged through her pouches and grasped a thin piece of parchment.

She leaned on a nearby stone wall, finding it cool to the touch. She pulled out a manila parchment folded four ways. Her eyes went to her surroundings, looking for a landmark that she could identify, than she went back to the map. She knew the temples were close to the outskirts of the market district. She had never been their herself, as she was not particularly devoted to one god. However she did remember that there was at least a shrine to the major deities of the realm. There! She pointed to the map as she found her spot on it.

She traced a finger across the smooth map, until she pressed it against the spot marked for the temples. Well I don't appear to be that far. She peaked her eyes out from the map to find a large looking cathedral in the distance, that towered around the other buildings nearby. Of course I stop to check and I am practically there. She narrowed her eyes, as she started to fold the map up one corner after the other. I wont mention this to the others, just say I got there. With the last fold on the map she stashed it once again in her pouch, and buckled the leather strap. She stood back up and resumed her determined pace towards the cathedral. Her thoughts drifted to the previous day, when she had agreed to set up this meeting with a contact of hers called Hogar. The orange faced hob-goblin had assured her that the employer he worked for would find her proposal most interesting. Since well, shady people like him always wanted something from the castle. Although they never want to get their hands dirty, better to get others to do it. She clasped her hands together as she straightened her posture, as she side stepped a hole in the street.

She approached the huge building made of pristine, white oak. It had a small dark grey stone path that connected to the cobbled street, and snaked through the yard of vibrant green grass surrounding the place. The stone path ended at a small collection of stairs, that rose up to a copper painted door. Her eyes were drawn to the large stained glass windows, that seemed to have every color displayed on their form. The way the morning sun was hitting them, they seemed to sparkle ever so beautifully. She was reminded of the glass like this at her home, back were her family was. She wrinkled her face as it seemed a dark cloud had been cast over her.

When we get that book, that's the first thing I'm doing. She formed a fist and brought it down into her palm. Find out what's going on with my parents. Above the windows that dominated this side of the building was a great spire, that jutted out of cathedral's black roof. It was adorned in a myriad of flags, of all different colors. Each flag had a symbol to represent the gods shrines the cathedral held within. She quickly recognized the hammer of Thor the god of dwarves, than the form of two snakes circling one another to represent Loki the trickster. The last one that drew her eye was a brown flag with the symbol of a multicolored fist, the symbol of Kord.

Her steps slowed as she stepped onto the stone path, passing the bushes along the sides of it. They were vibrant green with flowers scattered here and there within. She held out hand and traced along the bush, letting it brush against her gloves. She made her way over, climbed the steps, and grasped the cool metal handle with her hand. She gave it a small push, and the door opened smoothly, there was hardly any resistance. Arcturus did you lie? She laughed to herself, as she remembered a story from last night were Arcturus swore that most doors in Entis were stuck. Perhaps it is just the ones leading to the castle. She passed through the large doorway, and softly closed the door behind her with a click.

The first thing that came to her attention was the sudden drop in temperature. It was not freezing cold, but a pleasant feeling from the warmth of outside. Must be a cooling spell. She remembered her parents doing a similar thing to most of their castle, which made the hot summers quite bearable. Her amber eyes traced the vast room that was lit by the morning light streaming in from various other windows. The place was lined with a few pews, with large dark crimson cushions.

She shrugged as she resumed her walk. Far as she knew, the gods did not care if you held services for them, as she did not think they had a direct impact in their world. That's why they have clerics. However they did like shrines and things dedicated to themselves. She saw the edges of the room were lined with many different shrines, of wood, metal, and stone. They were adorned with little knick knacks, lit candles, herbs, and various smoking incense. She gave a wiff as she passed one particular one that had smoke rising from it's tip. She sighed as it reminded her of the smell of morning dew.

Around these shrines were many different people, of various races, genders, species. There was nothing uniform about them either. Some were well dressed with fine silks, stitched with bright colors. While some were dressed in a simple tunic, slacks, and had dirty faces. She smiled to herself, at this collection of people. That was the one thing she begrudgingly liked about Entis, that they were a metaphorical melting pot of peoples. Within one of these groups she spied the large form of Asterion, kneeling on a brown carpet before copper shrine of a fist. He looked to be calm with his eyes closed, as his chest rose and fell slightly with each breath. She swore he was asleep if not for his tail twitching from side to side with each passing second. His hands were currently on the floor, and when she got a tad closer she noticed he was muttering something under his breath. Probably some prayer.

Lyndis crossed her arms and waited politely for the man to finish. There was no sense in interrupting this ritual after all. She knew little about divine methods of getting their spells, and this could very well be a better way of getting them. She padded over when he rose up, squared his shoulders, and opened his eyes with a snort. "So what brings you here Asterion? Could you not do these prayers in the house by meditating?"

He turned to her, "This is true Lyndis." he said sternly, "It however is nice to come here and commune with Kord." He gestured to the shrine he was in front of. "It allows me to center myself and be at peace."

"Your not at peace?"

"No." He turned back to the shrine, and her eyes followed his gaze to a large tapestry hanging behind the shrine. It was tan, and made of silk. It had a jagged white stripe that outlined it, with a picture of a minotaur standing tall. He had large muscles underneath his black fur, that was adorned with what appeared to be dragon skin. His eyes looked to be filled with amusement as he held aloft in his hand a great maul, that looked like the one Asterion always carried. "The deeds of the past often weigh heavy on my mind Lyndis. I often like to make sure I am walking the path, yest I sway from it and fall further from Kords sight. Asterion reached around him slowly, grabbed something and held it out to her. It was a small red box made of wood, on it's surface was a small painted fist.

How did I miss that? "So if your looking for peace Asterion, why did you pick the god of battle and valor?" Lyndis got closer and took a seat, folding her legs together. "It just seems a tad strange is all."

"Does it now? Is it any stranger than a goddess of dragons picking a human as her paladin?" He raised one of his eyebrows. "Are you saying that I cannot get into glorious battle as a healer?" The bull once again closed his eyes, faced the shrine, and placed his hands firmly on the rug.

"That's ....that's not what I meant. I figured Kord's thing wasn't really healing." She held up her hands as if to hold an axe, "I figured he was more about fighting, dying, and glory."

"Well I will concede to you that most clerics of Kord would choose strength as their domain, while myself choose healing."

"Domain? What does that mean? I honestly know next to nothing of the divine arts you practice." She folded her hands onto her lap. She had always found their places within her own kingdom to be quite dull, well when she compared them to the arcane arts.

"Domain refers to a specialty amount of spells that I can cast through the day. This separates one cleric from another, since our deities gran us our spells. It is similar to a wizard's school of magic, in that it can often grant them spells no other cleric is able to cast." He straightened back up, and held his hands wide. "For instance if a cleric of Thor chose the tempest domain, he would be able to throw around some lighting spells. Or if a a cleric choose nature as a domain it would grant him spells similar to a druid. Now it is true all clerics can cast healing spells, even paladins, and rangers can do this." He closed his eyes, "Only a cleric of life can channel them to their highest potential. I even have the ability to heal myself when I heal others."

Lyndis watched him breathe in deeply, "Besides I was already a worshiper of Kord before, it did not make sense to change me loyalty. Besides, I can still get into glorious battle, and die a glorious death."

"Is that why you really joined us then? To go on this crazy quest and die a glorious death, and atone for that village?"

"No." Asterion shook his head, as his mahogany brown eyes filled with sadness. "If I were to die with that sin on my heart I would be cast down. I would never be able to join him in the heavens above." He lowered his head, and patted the box softly, "That's why I have this."

_ What IS in side that box?_ "And how is that supposed to help you atone for your deeds? Lyndis crossed her arms, and just stared at him.

"In time perhaps I will share with you all why I need this box, and why I need the diamonds." he said gruffly, "However respect my wishes when I say it is not your concern at this time."

"As long as this thing of yours does not interfere with the focking mission I don't bloody care less what is in that box." she gestured to the box casually with her pointer finger. Nice lie there Lyndis. No problem me.

"You need not worry about that." the minotaur rose his head, stood up slowly, turned slightly towards the shrine, placed his hands firmly together, and gave a long bow. "Now why have you come to find me at this place?" Asterion asked, gesturing to the rest of the room with a sweep of his hand. "I did not think you were that devout, and surely you did not come here to listen to me ramble on about Kord."

Well I never thought he was dumb. "Well what if I did, and was?"

"Than you would have actually surprised me." Asterion chuckled, his beard bouncing slightly.

"You laugh?" Lyndis gasped, holding a hand to her mouth.

"Did you not hear me laugh last night?" he raised an eyebrow. "I did not know you drank so much you blacked out little half-elf.

_Oh right....he did laugh.....drat.. "_No, no, I was just teasing you..... Anyway I came to get your help with something I got planned."

"Why not grab the dwarf for this? I believed you two to be best of friends." Asterion crossed his arms, and gave her a coy smile on his muzzle. "You wanted someone physically intimidating."

Lyndis bit her lip as the bull had hit it on the head. "Yes, just don't tell Merlia I said anything, or she will go off on me like she does Veledar."

"I hate to tell you this, but you would probably be best off with her. She may be small but she is quite intimidating with that voice of hers. I think she might be the most intimidating of our group."

"Even more intimidating then our red dragon friend?" she laughed.

"Yes." Asterion's nostrils flared as he snorted. "Even more than the red dragon of ours." He unfolded his arms, and lowered one towards her. "Now you mentioned this meeting was where exactly?"

"I didn't mention it yet. Although its nice to see your on board with it!" She smiled, and turned towards the exit. "It's going to be in the underbelly of this place...you know away from prying eyes and such." She held up a hand and gestured to Asterion to follow her.

"It sounds like we are going into a sewer."he replied, voice littered with disgust. She imagined he was frowning at the moment.

"Well......that's certainly a word to describe it." She laughed nervously as she opened the copper door effortlessly again. Got to tease Arcturus about this, possibly suggest he just wasn't strong enough. "Why Asterion, can't handle the stench of the place? I did not realize you had such a weak stomach."

"I'll manage." the bull grumbled, as he closed the door behind him with a slam.

'Well good, cause it's not my favorite place to visit either, but it was the only place my contact would agree to meet. I swear that hob-goblin would live in a bloody sewer if he had the chance.

Lyndis led the bull back to the now louder city streets. It almost made her cover her ears, as the cathedral had been almost silent in comparison to the now bombardment of sounds her ears were enduring. Horses clomped by on their hooves, as the cart behind them bumped on the cobbled street. People walked by, chatting about prices of certain vendors, or where they could get their next meal. She even made out a person announcing something about the war. She wrinkled her brow as the announcement was about a victory over the 'finger twiddlers.'

"So how do you know this contact of yours?" Asterion's gruff voice a great distraction of the anger welling up in her chest over that little announcement. The bull easily stepped beside her with his great strides.

_ Yup I definitely made the right call in bringing him. Hogar will not make any trouble as long as I have this fine specimen right beside me._ "From when I visited Entis before, years ago now. We met in the village right outside the city walls, on the other side from were we came in. We met in a tavern called the adjective known, owned by a halfli-"

"The adjective noun?" The bull chuckled, "That was really the name?.....The adjective noun? He continued, disbelief in his voice.

"Yea the half-ling thought it was some sort of joke. Since taverns are always called like the red dragon, the drunken donkey, or something silly like the prancing pony. So he figured he would cut to the chase and just name it adjective noun." She laughed at the absurdity of it, just like she had done when she stood outside the wooden tavern and its square sign. "Anyway we met, discussed some things about adventure, exploring, that sort of thing."

"So should we be expecting trouble then? You did bring me after all, and why would you do that if all we were doing was meeting an old friend of yours?" Asterion snorted, causing a group of people to stop and stare at the minotaur as they walked by. Lyndis wondered if the people had seen any minotaurs before. In fact Asterion here was the only one she had seen walking around Entis all today, or yesterday. Or even years ago.

Asterion glared at them, but paid them little mind it seemed as he returned his attention to Lyndis. "Well?"

"Not with you around, he is not stupid after all." She laughed, Or at least I hope he hasn't become that over the years. "Your the insurance so to speak. To show them we are capable people."

"Wait you said we were only meeting one contact, now there is a they?"

"Figure of speech Asterion, he represents some people." she waved dismissively at him as the aroma of cooking meats once again filled her nostrils. Her stomach grumbled loudly in reply, Of course I forgot breakfast. How could I have forgotten? Her eyes narrowed as she remembered how Veledar had kept on pestering her, before she could take a bite of any of the food. It was almost like he was trying to keep her from eating. She dismissed the thought, Why would the dragon go about doing that unless he held a grudge and this was his way of getting back at her? She shook her head, as she passed another group of people. I don't remember making him mad. Although with dragon's it could be anything. Maybe she just touched his scales the wrong way.

"So Asterion, I have not seen any of your kind in the city. Are minotaurs banned from entering the city? I thought Lumara was a big melting pot of species." she laughed.

"No." he replied with a snort, "We just don't come to the city. My kind much prefers the wide open spaces, and away from all this." he gestured to all the buildings, and people with a sweep of his arm. " We are very much like your own countries Siigonis in that regard."

That's right! She had forgotten about the humanoid lizards that lived in the marshland around her country. They were like the same way, typically avoiding the cities in favor of their marshes. Although she remembered at least they diplomats and such for the tribes. "So if your people like living off the land so much, why even join up in the army?

"Promise of glorious battle of course. How could I refuse such an offer?" Asterion pounded his chest with a balled fist. 'It was some of the best years of my life." He closed his eyes for a moment, as if he were remembering his time on the battlefield. "So what about you Lyndis?" He asked, opening his eyes once more. "How is it a princess is a skilled adventurer such as yourself?"

"Best trainers in the land naturally." She through back to the grueling studies of her youth. Nearly every moment was spend learning about Drenedar, practicing her spellcraft, swordplay, or her least favorite of all, politics. "Combine that with the drive to literally do anything else, and I turned out how you see me now."

"I could not see you sitting in a throne room. You are a warrior like me, and needs to be out there. The sword in your hand, the wind on your face, the thrill of your every action in your chest."

"Well not exactly like you." She gave the bull a thin smile, "Less chest thumping and bashing of people's skulls in." she mimed her hands as if she were holding a club, and smashed the empty air."

Asterion held up a hand and shook his head. "You misunderstand, not exactly like me, but a warrior none the less. You hold your sword well....and you do not shy from battle when it finds you. You ARE a warrior." he grinned at her, "Your people should be proud they have such a warrior princess as yourself."

"Riiiiight." Lyndis looked back to the street. They were nearing the entrance to the sewer now, which meant less talk about princess stuff. Thank the gods. "Anything else you want ask me before we-"

"Why was Merlia staring at me a few days ago? I have spotted her doing this several times."

"Perhaps she is taken with you." Lyndis replied with a soft chuckle. "I think I heard something about your fur being like a giant beard."

"Giant beard..Why is that?" he pinched a part of his fur with his fingers. "And why would she like that?"

Lyndis shrugged, "I don't know. Dwarves and beards." she turned down the alley that contained the entrance she was going to use. It was shielded from the sun and had several worn wooden crates stacked three high in several places. Among the cobbled part of the alley there was a circle section separate from the rest. It had two iron bars grafted onto it's surface, jutting out of it's top. When she neared it, the bars looked to be caked in the rust. "Well ya best take a deep breath." Lyndis laughed, "Probably going to be the last focking breath of fresh air you will get in awhile."

"Wonderful." Asterion narrowed his eyes, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Lyndis grabbed the bard with her hands, thankful that she was still wearing gloves. She tugged lightly, and the cover did not budge. She sighed and gave another tug, much stronger than before. Despite this she found herself struggling, and grunting as it simply refused to move. It was like the street would not let go of this stupid cover. "Well....it...seems..to..be ..Stuck!" she let go with frustrated grunt. She rubbed her arms as they started to feel a tad sore from the sudden exertion. "Well lets see you try." she gestured to Asterion, than to the cover.

The bull strode over with confidence to the cover, and cracked his knuckles loudly. "Don't worry, I can do this." He placed both of his hands firmly around the handles.

Lyndis just crossed her arms and gave him a smirk. She could see it clearly in her mind. Asterion was going to give all this effort as he strained against the cover, then be left struggling like she was. She would course try to hold back a laugh at the strong minotaurs expense, and fail.

"Bozok mul" Asterion muttered, rubbing his hands together. They glew a slight purple, casting away the shade with their glow. He gave one tug causing the area around the cover to crack slightly, than to relent as he pulled the cover free. He tossed it aside, it clattered onto the ground loudly. "There problem solved." he dusted his hands together, as he looked back to her with a look of satisfaction on his muzzle.

"Well I bloody loosened it for you." She mumbled as she strode past him to the now exposed hole in the ground. She peaked down to see that there was an opening large enough for one person to crawl down a set of metal bars lining the wall. With he eyes she was able to see the bottom, it looked to be roughly twenty feet down until the ladders stopped at a stone surface.

"I should be the first one down." Asterion went to start crawling down the ladder, but she stopped him with a hand to his furred chest.

"Hold it Asterion. I am not some dainty fragile little flower, as you pointed out." She stuck a thumb to her chest, "I will be going down first, besides-" She pointed to her eyes, and than her ears. "I have the better eyes and ears down there."

"Very well." Asterion snorted in reply, as his tail swayed behind him. Causing his loincloth to rustle briefly.

"So what was your first adventure like?" Lyndis grabbed a hold of the cold metal bars. She gave a test tug with her arm, and it held tight against the stone. Well it certainly looks sturdy enough. She placed her feet carefully next, and proceed to start her climb down into the sewer.

"The first one was after I slaughtered that entire village. I sought out a cleric to teach me the ways of healing."

_ Right...._."Well what did you do before that?"

"The war I fought in?"

"So this is your first real adventure then?"

"I suppose so..."

Lyndis suddenly slipped on one of the steps, thankfully she caught herself and only ended up with a pained thud as he body hit the metal. With a grunt she pulled herself back to the makeshift ladder. "Be careful this step, it's slippery." she pointed at the iron bar to Asterion she had just slipped on. Asterion just nodded in acknowledgment.

"This however cannot count, no adventure starts in a sewer."

"Untrue!" Lyndis placed her feet on the dimly lit stone floor. 'My first adventure was clearing out a nest of direrats back in Drenedar! She turned to find the path she was standing on was one of many that seemed to honeycomb all over the dirty water below them.

"Why would you do that in Drenedar? I thought you did not start until you were away from your country? Asterion's clomp of his hooves signaled his arrival.

"Well leaving was the first time on my own. For this particular quest, Gerald had snuck me out of the castle. We ended up helping this tavern owner with her rat problem, it was exciting of course. They were the size of dogs..."

"To kill rats?" Asterion looked around and scrunched up his muzzle at the horrid stench of mortal filth.

"Well that wasn't the exciting part. But going somewhere I haven't? Helping someone in need? She led Asterion over one of the many stone bridges over the water."That was were I found the thrill."

They walked in silence for a time, with the only sound being the bulls hooves clomping on the stone, and the running water beneath their feet. "So were does this all end up?" the bull gestured to the un-clean water. "Do they just dump it into a river or something?"

"I think it leads to a magical barrier powered by mana crystals. Once the liquid hits the barrier it fires off a giant version of prestidigitation spell. Specifically the cleaning portion of the spell. Thus dirty water goes into it, and clean water leaves it. Trust me, I wish we had these things in Drenedar."

"You don't?"

"We'll maybe for lanterns and stuff, but any of the powerful crystals are kept and guarded jealously by Lumara. You might have noticed, only the military really carries those energy crossbows. The guards and other folk rely on good old fashioned weapons. So the only way we could get the stronger ones would be off a dead soldier." She stopped to point at a section of the path elevated above the rest. It had a small railing around a square section, that had four torches on stands. They were already lit, and bathing the area around them in a soft orange glow.

"I don't see your contact." stated Asterion as Lyndis scanned the stone walls with her eyes.

Lyndis touched the stone with her gloved hand, pulling back to reveal a slight slime sticking to the surface of the otherwise clean stone. In fact now that it occurred to her, all the stone here was spotless. There was no grime, no dust, just the same clean look. Uh-oh. She moved her hand to the hilt of her rapier. She had figured Lumara must have kept some of these creatures, but not down in their bloody sewer. "Keep your eyes peeled, we might have a ooze of some kind, maybe even a gelatinous cube."

"Gelatinous cube? Ooze? I have not seen such creatures, what are they?" Asterion crouched, and rose his hands to his chest. He took his next stop softly onto the stone, hardly making a noise with his hoof.

"Yea they wander around dungeons, sewers, they like places were it is dark and dank." She held up her hand, causing Asterion to stop in his tracks. "They absorb things into themselves, and slowly dissolve them within their bodies. You have to keep a sharp eye, since a gelatinous cube is almost completely see through. Luckily they can't dissolve metal and things, so those get stuck within their bodies." She took a slow step as she pulled her rapier out with one motion. Than held it aloft in front of her. If there was a cube in front of her, the rapier would hit it first. "My father actually kept one to clean the dungeons. He would clear everyone out and just let it wander around for a few hours." She remembered how they got it back to it's room was with leaving a trail of meat for it to follow. Like the breadcrumbs from a children story. She blew her hair from her eyes as she looked to the torch filled area.

She crouched as the thick smell of the place seemed to recede. It now smelled like a mules backside, instead of a place dripping with mortal waste. It was not a vast improvement, but welcome none the less. She still held her rapier in front of her, as she rested the other arm on her knee.

"Is your friend going to show up?" Asterion crouched beside her and whispered, after several minutes of silence.

Lyndis was surprised for a moment, she had not even noticed the passing of the time. She was used to being patient after all. "Yes, his employer would not let him turn this down."

"Well who is this man's employer?" Asterion snorted.

"He belongs to a group that calls itself the many eyed." Lyndis wiggled the fingers of her free hand.

"Why do they call themselves that?" Asterion wrinkled his muzzle, "It's a stupid name."

"I don't know, its just somethin they fockin picked." Her eyes spied movement from beyond the torchlight. "There." she pointed it out to the bull. Just as she did this, a man emerged before them. He seemed to almost spring from the darkness like water. He strolled over, his orange oily skin covered with onyx colored leathers. Along the leather were thin green stripes that looked like dark jade. They went from the neck of the armor all the way to the waist. The hob-goblin strode over in a strut of confidence, as he gave her a big white toothed smile. His eyes, like polished wood sprung to life with happiness.

"Lyndis!" the man called Hogar cried out. Brushing aside his black hair to reveal pointed ears, the same orange of his skin.

Lyndis eyed the man for a moment, looking him over for any weapons that he could be hiding. She checked the usual places with a glance, looking for anything that looked tight, sloppy, or hastily donned. Seeing no sign of tampering she rose up, and strode over to greet him. "Hogar!" she returned his cheerfulness with her own. "Bloody good to see you again."

Hogar's smile vanished as his eyes looked to Asterion. "I see you brought a friend to out little chat." he than burst out into a deep sounding laugh. "I don't know whether to be insulted, or flattered on his attendance."

Lyndis rolled her eyes, How could I forget he likes to hear the sound of his voice? He probably likes it just as much as Veledar does his own.

"Well Mr.Bull, whatever should I call you? I can't very well just call you bull can I?" Hogar suddenly strode forward towards Asterion, his voice full of curiosity.

"You could." Asterion flared his nostrils and a loud snort. "But you may call me Asterion."

Hogar thrust his hand outwards, looking for a handshake. "I am Hogar Allaria, esquire the third!" With his other hand Hogar pulled from his leather pack a white poofy wig. It seemed to be made of rolls, and reminded Lyndis of the one judges wore. Hogar placed it firmly onto his head, and gave a large grin as the locks fell along side his face. "Code named the paladin of course." He preformed a small bow, clutching the wig with his other hand as it started to slip.

"That is a stupid nickname." Asterion growled, "Your no paladin."

"Well that's the point Asterion!" Hogar bolted up, holding his finger high. "I am a devout follower of the trickster god Loki!"

"It's still a stupid pick for a name."

"That's the point!" Hogar repeated, irritation forming in his words." It's a trick you thick headed simpleton!" Hogar towards Lyndis, "Honestly Lyndis, were do you find these people?" He let out a sigh, as he squeezed the bridge of his nose with his hand. "We are sadly not here to play catch up, or for me to talk circles around your bull friend here." He gestured with an open palm to the bull. Asterion just glared at him and cracked his knuckles loudly.

"Well you see my employer dear is interested in this venture of yours. There are numerous things we wish to acquire from that place. However there is a certain chest contained within the kings vault that has my employer interested. Inside the chest are rings, and amulets, and you know what, we just need it." He clasped his hands together, sounding off a small clap. "If your group were to procure this chest for us, we will certainly help get you into this castle."

"How can you do this?' Asterion scraped his hoof against the stone.

"We have our ways Asterion." Hogar pulled a scroll from his pack, and unfurled it with both hands.

On the parchment was a map Lyndis recognized, it looked almost identical to the one Arcturus had drawn the night before.

"Right here." Hogar pointed to a spot indicated on the map with a red circle. "By this tree at no lalter than ten bells this evening. If you are later than that, my employer will consider you plotting against him."

"What happens then?" Lyndis placed her hands on her hips.

"Well you don't want that Lyndy, I've seen him turn people to piles of green ash.

"Hes a wizard?" she gasped.

"I have already said too much." Hogar held a hand to his mouth and made a motion that was to zipper his mouth shut. "So remember, show up on time. Or he will be displeased! You show up, you get what you need, you help us get what we want, and everyone wins!" Hogar rolled up the map and held it out to her with one hand. "Here you go Lyndy.....so you don't get lost on the way."

Lyndis grabbed the map with a swipe of her hand, and uttered a brief, "Thanks."

"Well as always it was lovely meeting you Lyndy. Even if it was..." he looked around and wrinkled his nose. "A place such as this." He gave them another bow before backing away. "I will have to be going now, take care of yourselves, and remember, ten bells!" Hogar turned and slunk away into the shadows.

Lyndis stood there and listened for his foot steps, as they started to fade away. It was when they had vanished all together is when she turned and started walking back where she had come from.

"So are you really going to steal for them?" Asterion asked, as he casually brushed passed her.

She strode on for a minute in silence, until she was sure that she was out of earshot of the orange friend of hers. She knew how good hob-goblins could hear, and she did not want to risk him hearing anything she was about to say. "Of course not, ya think I would help a group that calls themselves the many eyed?" She held up her hands again and wiggled her fingers. " I said that to get him to trust us." She patted the map in her hands three times gently. "Now we know there are magical items for us to liberate from Lumara!"

"Clever..." Asterion have her a grin, "Are you not afraid of an reprisal from them?

"Hell no. I have had plenty of bloody people angry with me." She placed both of her hands on the back of her head. "I don't plan on coming back here after this. What do I care if I make them mad?" She placed her hands back softly at her side when they returned to the ladder leading up. "I think I will head home to Drenedar after this is through" She scowled as she imagined her parents bowing to a brown robed clad person, wearing a golden eagle broach. "and see what is going on there."

She grabbed the metal bar leading to the surface and hoisted herself up them. "But....first...we have to tell the others the good news." She reached the surface in no time, spreading her arms and taking a deep breath of the fresh air. Each breath of horse, dirty human, or trash was like a bouquet of freshly cut flowers to her. "Come on you slow poke." she gestured to Asterion. "Get out of that filth before it focking absorbs you."

The bull reached the surface, and seemed to give the same gasp that she had done. She watched his eyes close in happiness as he turned, and replaced the cover, with a dull thud. He stood back up, dusted his loincloth off, and opened his eyes. "I don't want to go back to that place.....ever." he shuttered suddenly, "I think I have had enough waste for one day." He then clutched his stomach as it gave a grumble.

"Apparently being in the filth makes you hungry." she laughed, pulling the bull towards the streets. "Come on. I know just the place." She patted Asterion's back as they walked once more into the crowded streets.