The mage hesitated as he peered into the gloom, at the retreating Nicolai. Glancing over at the metal clad dwarf and priest he said doubtfully, “Perhaps you should go next to support him, Mistress Saeth. He has no enchanted blade. Hopefully, you find missing maps or books down there.” Then, more to himself, he muttered, “For why else lead a secret chamber from a maproom and library?”
The priest, bulky in his Halavist emblazoned platemail swiftly deduced that descending these stairs would not be a quite prospect, best to leave it to the lighter clad party members. He offered a prayer for the Elves’ safety then turned to Feldard, who didn’t seem at all concerned by the depths, “It will be worth the cost in time, even if it proves a false trail. At least nothing will slip behind us!” he grinned.
Nicolai moved silently down the stairs. At the end of the staircase was a heavy bronze double doorway. Elven script indicated that what lay beyond was the fabled riches of the Elyan. The doors were slightly ajar. Whatever locking mechanism that had been used to secure the doors had been breached.
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March 19, 2008 at 7:54 pm
“More likely to a bedroom or harem, Miklos, but we can hope,” Saeth said with a cheerful wink as she moved to the front. She was delighted to have been invited back into the van.
Right on Nicolai’s heels, she saw the cracked door, and gripped her sword tighter. Before proceeding, however, she softly read out the Elven inscription, for the benefit of the humans.
If there’s time, she’ll also cast “Shield” on herself. Someone’s on the far side of that door…
March 19, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Nicolai caressed the door applying just enough pressure the move it a fraction. As the elf started to translate the inscription behind him he hissed, “Shh, Miklos knows elvish and the priest doesn’t want to know and your letting everyone in there” he jabbed his thumb at the door, “know we’re here. And that wasn’t a hundred breaths.”
He peered through the gap in the bronze door sniffing the dank stale air. No movement, good. No light either, he drew out the pouch at let a narrow beam of the lightstone illuminate the area beyond.
March 19, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Miklos finished counting. At the top of the stairs Miklos pulled out a lightstone and allowed it the blase openly down the stairwell. He turned to the Dwarf & priest beside him. “Well that sounds hopeful, no cries of despair. Well Nicolai has had his time, after you Feldard.” Miklos followed the Plateclad warrior to the landing and turned the corner. In the pale magelight Miklos scanned the inscription above the aged portal. Then his heart sank at the state of the door. “Not so secret passage then.” he muttered.
March 19, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Left at the back Maruc flicked is gaze behind him then pulled the secret door almost shut behind him allowing the magelight to light the passage. At the first landing he again looked back up at the Maproom door before turing his attention to the crowded lower stairwell.
March 19, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Nicolai rolled his eyes and not for the first time wonderd why he bothered with this quest at all. “Since you’re so keen Saeth, Lady’s first?” His larconic smile was lost in the gloom. He stepped back allowing the elfmaid to choose her own fate.
March 20, 2008 at 2:12 am
(personally I think Nicolai would have gotten farther than to the door in a hundred breaths – “breaths” not seconds.. so I’m posting as if Feldard is still waiting up top)
The dwarf paced impatiently in the maproom not in the least bit interested in the priests reasoning and justification. Delays were still exactly that delays. Feldard eventually moved into the library and stood watch by the double doors, every so often glancing back over to the mage and the cleric to wait for the indication to descend or the all clear. It was a long one hundred breaths – made even longer in that the dwarf really could only count up to a score with any amount of confidence.
March 20, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Hasan allowed the lightfooted human ahead, but moved quickly forward with Saeth to support him. It was hard for Hasan to wait for the thief’s work to finish, and when the way forward was offered to Saeth, Hasan grinned at both and took it. He pushed open one of the doors.