Ceinwynn bows her head to Lady Zelda and stands at ease. "Time to blow off some steam then." She punches Kalem in the arm. Turning to Halsanna, "You want to see who can puke first from chugging Icewine? Loser gets to spend the night with the cute pyro!" She winks at Mezzen.
This night just got at least three times more interesting.
"What if I out drink you all? Does that mean I get all night with both of you? You can play too Kalam; I'm cosmopolitan like that. I don't care whose face I paint."
Not sharing in the party’s mirth at all, Zelda waves dismissively and the door to her office slams shuts almost instantly afterward (despite the fact that the aged woman never left her desk).
Sparing a wink for Zelda before the door slams shut, Kalam follows the others out of the office chuckling, "If you two think you can match one of the Merc's chosen you're welcome to try. Though if we're breaking into the icewine I feel like we'll all be winners in the end...no?.", he accompanies the last with another wink.
That night there are many drunken shout of "Better them than us!"
Kalam does his patron proud that night, downing an ettin's share of icewine with his two companions, "Well my friends, we've survived one trip to the bowels of this miserable city! I have little doubt tomorrow will be no different...though as I'm always fond of pointing out, the future is never certain. Any last requests should this prove to be the final night of debauchery for the lot of us?"
"Don't worry. If either of you die, I'll make sure that your skulls aren't made into goblets. Except you Kalam. That seems like a fitting tribute."
Despite the lateness of the hour, Halsanna finds the older chelish armsmaster inspecting the grounds. There’s no joy on his aged features but it’s clear he’s impressed by her dedication.
”Archer is it? I can see it in your shoulders. Well better late than never.”
He gestures toward a rack where several deconstructed bows rest.
”Find one you like, string it, and stand on the line. I want to see your aim under pressure.”
While Halsanna gets into position, he rolls a dozen target dummies into a line at the far end of the training yard.
”This exercise is simple. When I call out a number, you feather that target. Try to keep up.”
Halsanna’s aim is true and she nails all of her targets but she struggles to keep up with the instructor’s rapid-fire calls.
After she’s emptied her quiver, he shakes his head. ”A sharp eye needs a sharp ear to go with it. Keep at it. I expect to see you back here tomorrow.”
***
The rest of the party enjoys a peaceful evening. Despite being deep into their cups all three pick up on more than one passerby that gives them the stink eye - members of the teams used as distractions earlier or friends of theirs. Fortunately, none are looking to start trouble and the icewine flows.
***
The following morning, despite being at least mildly hungover, the party is once against summoned to Zelda’s office.
Mezzen performs a marvelous bow, with minimal wobble. "Gracious madame, mistress of my fate, I pray that the rubbings proved more than adequate? Is there anything I might further assist you with?"
It appears that two late nights of intense arcane study have taken their toll as the Aspis captain looks absolutely ancient as she greets Mezzen’s greeting with a wave of a skeletal hand.
”Can it Murr. I have neither the energy nor the patience for your prattle today.”
She pauses to take a deep breath.
”But, yes, your rubbings were well done. From them, I was able to learn what you would need to counter the door’s defenses. I have gathered here a collection of the scrolls that will be needed to unravel those wards.”
"I hope you're well rested. You're going back down there."
"Excellent! I was just telling Kalam how eager I was to return to the sewers."
Mezzen glances over the scrolls he will soon be casting.
Mezzen quickly determines there to be a literal fortune’s worth of consumable magic here – cone of cold, disintegrate, finger of death, and more.
”I had some other agents convince the mayor that it was worth sending what forces it can muster into the sewers. The district will burn in the meantime but I’m not wasting any more agents on another diversion. The quartermaster will provide you with watch uniforms and badges but in the confusion I doubt you’ll face much scrutiny down there.”
Kalam strides into the office straight backed, if a little bleary-eyed. He opens his mouth to unleash a tirade of his usual flattery but one look at Zelda changes his mind.
Instead he simply takes his usual chair, though with his customary lack of etiquette. He sighs at the mention of returning to the runewell, "But of course we are. I hope you're willing to give our backup their hazard pay up front. I get the impression they're going to demand it..."
Oooh, my chances of dying in a freak, magical accident have suddenly increased to day. I'm giddy with joy. What is the proper order of casting?"
Ceinwynn strolls into the office holding her aching head. She grins at Kalam and Mezzen, remembering little of their druken debauchery. She nods at Zelda. Leaning over to Halsanna, she whispers "You missed out honey. The Gnome has warm little hands."
Zelda slips the gnome a folded square of paper to go with the cadre of scrolls.
”Do not screw this up Murr. A mistake could be dangerous and this operation is already in the red. I hope I make myself clear.”
She shakes her head at Halsanna’s question. ”You’re on your own this time.”
Mezzen draws himself up in affronted dignity. "That goes without saying, madame. Have I ever given you cause to doubt my results?"
Zelda cocks an eyebrow at Mezzen and for a moment the façade of ruthless Aspis capp fades away and in its place is just a tired frail old woman.
It pops back a second later.
”Why are you still here? Am I paying you stand around in my office?”
"What a capital idea! Let me think . . "
"I am ready."
Kalam smirks at Zelda, "Excellent, if you don't mind, I already have the proper gear for this little expedition."
He recovers quickly as the Aspis matriarch lets her guard down for just a moment. He cocks an eyebrow, "Indeed, as to the matter of our payment. We use a resupply before delving back down into that chaos..."
The withering glare he receives causes even his near permanent smirk to slip. Shrugging, he pulls on his coat and follows the others out of the office.
He nods to Halsanna, "Yes, yes, I do suppose some silver is in order. Might do well to pick up some cold iron as well...", he sips from his flask, touching the engraving to his forehead briefly, "I do hope there are no actual demons down there but I'd rather be safe than sorry."
Ceinwynn's comment causes the mercenary to blow out a deep breath, "Well that makes one of us...come on, you can help me pick out a nice pair of blades."
Stopping by his room on the way to the quartermasters, Kalam effects a quick change into his guard uniform, emerging looking crisp and official. Once at the quartermasters, he leaves the others to collect their outfits and inquires about an additional pair of rapiers, one in silver and the other in cold iron.
"What a capital idea! Let me think . . "
***
After a quick visit to the quartermaster, Kalam finds himself in possession of two finely made blades of different metals.
"Such divinations are beyond my skills at the moment. Perhaps I could research a spell that drew a map as we explored . . ."
When the party meets up to depart the Crossroads, they’re greeted by an unusual sight - a haggard Zelda being supported by Ursus.
”It’s important that this end, today, but if you can salvage any of the research from the ones behind this thing, it could prove to be lucrative. This whole job might come out as a loss in the books but I mean to see the Aspis ahead in the end. Recover whatever you can before the watch seizes the place.”
Kalam grins, bowing with a flourish, "But of course my lady. We'll come out ahead on this yet. You have my word on that. Soon you shall be back to peaceful nights, uninterrupted by the whining of accountants."