Story I: The Rift

Hearing life about in the hall again, Ameera shakes the water off her shoulders from the dripping icicles and enters the guildhall cages. "Goood morning Erran of clan Escolant, I suppose today's the day. Where is everyone?" She holds up a key. "Callie has climbing gear for us locked in that cabinet. Before we go anywhere I need to eat something that is NOT the rations they issued in this guild pack, and have another cuppa coffee." Ameera tosses Erran the key and indicates she is going to the mess. "Did you eat?"

"I have yet to see the others this morning, but I'm sure they're around here somewhere," Erran replies, snatching the key out of the air.

"I'll join you, might be the last decent meal we have for awhile." He follows Ameera into the kitchen and begins searching the storage areas for food of a slightly higher quality.

Devanis, having spent a restless night, has been up since before dawn. He sits on a porch staring at the Rift. He sees Pyrrah approach and peer into the depths. He watches her a while before stirring from his place and approaching. He nods to her wordlessly and stares into the darkness as well. At length he speaks, "Having second thoughts?"

"No. I do what I'm paid to, it's as simple as that. This is by far a better job than others I've done. It's just that.. " She stops, unsure if what to say. "This is simply different than anything I've done before. I generally work well obtaining information from people, not cave walls. "

Baric rouses late from his sleep and readies himself in the wash bin, grabbing those items he brought to the inn. He eats at the bar and asks Garret about what happens in the town on a normal day. After breakfast and their conversation, Baric heads through the town, noting the odd buildings and a couple of the newly-learned habits of the townspeople.

Good morning, compatriots, he bellows cheerily, ready for our decent?

Devanis nods, completely understanding Pyrrah's sentiment. "Everything's different down there. Even people. You, me, the others... we won't be the same. The only question is, different how?"

"Well, I suppose that that's what we'll find out soon enough. I can only hope that we're ready. "

"We should go see if the others are ready." Devanis says, leading the way back to the guild hall.

Pyrrah will follow behind him, downing the remainder of her tea as she goes.

"Erran, gods know why, but I trust you more than any of the others." Ameera begins to cobble together the foods available to make a passable breakfast. She turns and says with a grin "Honestly, if I ran into you in the city, I think I'd make you for an easy target." Handing some food to Erran, Ameera sits on the edge of the table, conscious of the fact that Erran can't sit with the sword strapped to his back. "I don't want to surprise you when we're underground, in a sticky situation, so listen" Ameera projects her thoughts into Erran's mind I can talk to you like this from a short distance. You cant talk back, but I should be able to see you nod yes or no. When we need to be quiet....wait She switches back to speaking "When we need to be quiet you may need to stay back a bit so you are not clanking around. I can let you know what I see ahead. Are you OK with that?" Ameera's smile twists a little "And I promise to try not to corrupt your mind with any thoughts that are too embarrassing."

"You and I may be more alike than first glances may reveal," he says taking the plate with a thankful nod.

"That's quite the trick you've got there, my dear. It may prove useful down there in the dark, but to answer your question, yes, that sounds like the best of plans. I've never been one for covet operating, more of the front lines type of fighter."

"Alright, let's get our climbing gear and get down that hole". Ameera hops off the table, wipes her hands on the front of the coarse shirt covering her armour, and heads to the cages via the study. "Did Callie give any specific instructions on where to go once we are down there, or are we just following Devanis on his quest for vengeance?"

Devanis slows down to let Pyrrah walk alongside him. She wouldn't know it but it's uncharacteristic of him to be this contemplative. "I grew up here, you know. Well, not quite. I grew up in the temple just outside town. I thought I was going to be a priest." Devanis' hand unconsciously goes to the holy symbol hanging by a cord around his neck. "But I was too restless, too wild. Father Morgan says it isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's simply my nature. He says anyone can serve in other ways." he pauses again before continuing, "The people from my temple who were taken, they were my family. I don't know if what took them was evil or if it was just a monster acting according to its nature. Either way, I'm not going down there for revenge. I just want to find the people we lost, if they're still alive. Or failing that, I just want to find answers. I don't expect you or the others to understand." Devanis shrugs. "Maybe you're just here for the pay. That's fine. But down there we'll need to watch each other's backs. We've got to trust each other. Can I trust you, Pyrrah?"

"I'll have your back. I took this job on more than just money, you know. I've lost people too. Not here though, and I can't get mine back. Maybe this once I can recover something more than just information. " She slows for a moment before once again returning to pace. "I hope that we do find them. For you, for Brynn. Everyone. I never had that chance. " She looks uncharacteristically rattled, her usually shield of her emotions scarred by a rather large crack. She pulls ahead of Devanis and quickens her pace, hoping that he can't see and trying to pull in the reins of these old emotions.

"Yes, let us make haste," Erran says while readjusting his shoulder straps and begins leading the way towards the cages.

"She gave no further instruction than she had in the evening, seek knowledge and interesting trinkets. I imagine Devanis has a plan of action in store for us all."

As Erran finds the lockers with the climbing harnesses, he fishes the key from his pocket and unlocks the doors and begins fumbling with the gear.

Ameera takes a set of climbing gear and sits cross legged on the floor. She unrolls the gear from its bundle and thinks a moment. She opens her backpack and removes the bundle of torches to make room for the pitons, hammer, gloves and the climbing harness from the kit. She checks to see that the boot tips can be properly fitted to her small feet and then adds them to the backpack. The straps do adjust tight enough now, but once the leather breaks in, the straps will need to be modified "I don't look forward to needing this stuff. Normally when I work, I use the stairs." Ameera cinches her backpack up, stands and slings it over her shoulder, kicking the bundle of torches to the side of the room. "I like to travel as light as possible, at least until we find the gold."