Part 5: Return to the Moathouse Ruins

Brigands, giant frogs, pixies, and more before? If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were personally watched by some deity in the sky and making your lives difficult on purpose... Bors the Fighter looks up suspiciously at the sky before answering Mal's question. "The secret door. Secret doors hide secret treasure, which is always better than regular treasure."

"We spent much time not long past investigating that secret door, and I worry we may waste more time on it yet again. I think we should instead focus our efforts on rechecking the rooms and then the staircase. I'm not saying it isn't worth our energy, just that we should prioritize clearing the dangers before spending another day on that secret door."

"Wait, the secret door isn't opened? Why even mention it at all then?" Bors huffs in disappointment. "I am the newest member so I will bow to your experience and wisdom in this place."

"Give it a few hours and you’ll be the oldest member, don’t worry!" Gilly keeps watch further in to the keep. Around where they lay Sister Alice out yesterday.

Bors nods solemnly. "I will make sure to never ask you a question."

Surprisingly, the wizard chuckles at this remark. It is quickly covered by a cough, likely to maintain appearance. Hrmph! "Perhaps we should continue inside. There is a giant lizard with your blade's name on it." Despite urging the group to continue, he does not take the initiative himself to move.

"It must be truly terrifying to fight a creature that can see the future!" Bors wonders aloud to himself. Then he gives a small shrug. "Well, it will save me time from having to make one. I'll just have to remember to ask it for the name before it dies." Bors takes the lead despite not being familiar with this place, trusting someone will correct him if he enters unknown or dangerous territory.

Gilly cringes as the boisterous manner with which Bors saunters into the keep. She hopes that they all make it out again tonight, as she crosses the entrance to the keep, trailing behind the warrior.

"Thats where we found the snake, and her..." she gestures to the dwarf, before pointing to the right.

"And that’s where we entered, chasing the bandits out of the keep..." pouting to the top corner.

"And that way was the lizard." pointing left.

Mal senses Gilly's lingering feelings of discontent at the loss of her friend and offers a sympathetic smile and a hand on the shoulder.

"You know, the afterlife is a marvelous place for someone who has served their god well, and it sounds like Sister Alice was a paragon of virtue. I am certain she is enjoying a rapture unlike anything we can know here on the ground. To serve the church is to KNOW you will be taken care of when you're gone."

Although she hadn't known Sister Alice, Mal knew that the cleric had left large shoes to fill. Mal just hoped she was up to the task.

"She was indeed a warrior of great bravery and passion. But it must be said that one who lives by the sword, dies by the sword. I believe she is raising a stein at the right hand of Cuthbert right about now. But for those of us still on the mortal plane, we must keep our heads focused on the ground. Let us make haste in checking for any other swallowed treasure before heading down the stairs. The lizard and serpent were of adequate size, and perhaps the rats..." As happens often, Eltrezar's gruff demeanor shows a little remorse at the loss of his previous companions, but the slip is quickly controlled again.

Gilly nods her head as Mal speaks. She has questions, but they could wait for an ale house later.

"Yes! We could check the rats! Though your dagger seems better suited to the job than a great big sword. Don’t you think?"

Gilly winks at Mal as she gets up to mischief.

"You want to cut open more beasties? Have you thought about becoming a taxidermist or butcher instead of an adventurer? Much safer professions and all the animals to cut open as your heart desires."

Ignoring the warrior who now held a massive gemstone, Eltrezar offers to check the rats if the rest of the group takes care of the larger beasts.

Gilly wouldn’t mind the chance to stick her short sword into the belly of that lizard that killed Alice. She figured it was safe enough, if the bandits hadn’t been disturbed and it was day time.

"Back in a minute!" she shouts, to no one.

Mal smiles at Gilly's clever jab and laughs. When she runs off to check the lizard, Mal follows after her.