Into the Mist Vale

"Mmhmm, knowledge is always good," Krisanna mumbles, trying to keep her eyes open and focused. She moves to the nearby washbasin and splashes cold water on her face and gives her cheeks a few brisk slaps. "Ohh, ok, better. Color me intrigued," she adds a little more perkily.

Lothar is bleary-eyed as well and wears only the trousers he pulled on after Annabella knocked at his door. Unlike Browyn, the man shows no compunction about walking into the girls’ room. He does his best to listen to the words that tumble from the not-really-a-barmaid, then he shrugs his brawny shoulders.

"Sounds great. But why all this skulkery?" he asks simply.

Browyn listened to the entire tale without saying anything. He looked at Elaria wondering if this was her objective after all—to gather the statue and use it to obtain Um-Durman. Was she somehow related to the Dragon Empire? These stories mean that this kind of powerful artefact is no good in anyone's hands. Something leads to something, and ultimately, good intentions don't remain good for a long time. The road to greater good is paved by miniscule acts of controlled evil. Whatever it seems, Um-Durman, if it comes out and falls into the wrong person's hand, will be a disaster. Even if it fell into someone's good hands, it might have too much power to corrupt it's protector. Wouldn't it be better to let it stay hidden as it is? But, it is too late to voice any opinion. He had already pledged his service to Elaria and he can't go back on his word now. But this maid has yet to disclose the identity of their mysterious organisation. Someone should inquire about this.

Noticing that he was looking at Elaria while thinking all this, Browyn quickly shifted his gaze back.

"We can't have demons in charge," Felskrudd nods in agreement. "It bites into the profit margins. So what makes you the more responsible buyer... should we find the sword."

Lothar leans against the wall and listens, trying not to doze through the monologue. It's all a bit for show, of course, and he's actually listening attentively and many elements of the tale catch his attention.

"So let's get this straight. This magical sword, the Duran Duran... it's hidden in a crypt, yeah? Is that the very same crypt where, what's-his-name, Azrael Goth, is still imprisoned? You know, in the remote valley. 'Neath the island in the lake. Guarded by the immortal warriors."

Glancing at Kris, the man lifts an eyebrow and lowers his voice conspiratorially. "Sounds like child's play."

Before the not-really-a-barmaid can answer, Lothar pushes himself off the wall and hones the point of Silvergrin's question, adding, "And who is it you work for then, if not the dragons? Or the demons. Or the orcs. Or the goblins. This fuckin' valley's full of bad actors, innit?"

Lothar has never gotten the full story from the other lady, the one who lost her friend -- Elaria. So he looks at Krisanna, and at Silvergrin and Silentstep before he speaks up. Was this the same stuff Elaria was after? Was she at odds with this lady and her Seekers of Truth?

"How many pieces did you say? Four? And do you know where they are? And, ah, how much they are all worth to you?"

You notice Elaria is deep in thought. It looks likes she is about to say something or ask a question but each time stops and keeps her peace.

Krisanna makes a mental note of Elaria's body language, but reserves questions and comments for later. "Assuming all of this is true, and such a Doomsday weapon exists and can potentially be found. Why should we trust that you are who you say you are? We are strangers in this strange land, and would seem easy marks for someone, or someones, of bad intent to lure us with honeyed words and/or the promise of gold to do their dirty work." She casts her eyes around the room, looking at her companions. "I don't mean to be rude, but rough experience has taught me that the more valuable something is, the greater the lengths - and depths - to which people are willing to go to get it. Trust in the gods, but don't forget to tie up your horse, and all that."

Nodding, Krisanna offers a genuine smiles and says, "Fair enough, and a fairer deal then I've had on many an occasion. I can work with that." She leans back against the nearest wall and crosses her arms, the day's (and evening's) fatigue catching up with her, but doing her best to soldier on and stay alert.

"And just to return to my burly companion's query - what are we talking about in terms of compensation? Not that the reward of doing good isn't enough in and of itself for such a stalwart crew...," she pauses momentarily and gestures at the assembled group. "But food, lodging, supplies, time and effort... you know. And aside from said statue bits and sword, what of any spoils or other stuffs we might collect during our investigations? Just so's we're all same paging here," she concludes, stifling an urge to yawn but not totally succeeding.

Lothar isn't quite sure what to make of all this, but the idea of being given leads to check out... leads to ancient, treasure-packed crypts and towers and dungeons -- the woman has his attention.

"You have maps and such, do you?" the man asks, making eye contact with Krisanna, Browyn and Felskrudd, giving them a let's do this look.

When they have the key, or pieces of it -- then they'd be in a position to negotiate further payment...

"Sounds dangerous," Felskrudd says. "And how many foolhardy adventurers has gone there before. Chances are they all died or the place is already picked clean. But I guess it warrants a journey to check."

You see Elaria pull out her maps and looks at it , puts it away and says, I think I can find it on the map I have. It doesn't look to far away.