Karsielle stumbles on the stairs, her dagger with light shining from it scrapes the rocky stairway, almost being dislodged from its sheath.
Mishael continues trailing Flag down the steps, wincing when she hears Karsielle's sheath scrape the wall. Distracted, she notices nothing.
Suny does her best to steady Karsielle who seems to be having difficulty behind her.
"Y'see? This be why I dun't wear shoes...an' what not..." She explains in a whisper.
"But its the fashion, I need them for my more accommodating work." she whispers back to Suny, her hand on the young elf's shoulder. Before she looks over her shoulder whispering to no-one, "Look kindly on the servant of sweet and divine vengeance, Calistra my strength."
Silas sneaks forward, sword and dagger still at the ready. He is quite thankful to have Karsielle's light, though he doesn't say so aloud. Someday I'll actually master those darkened alley techniques.
Mishael whispers, "Large cavern about 60 feet ahead Flag."
"Artued" nods back to her, "Let us proceed.......let me know if the cavern walls are rough or man carved, just curious." He walks quietly but stays upright and walking the best like "Artued" as possible.
"Rilly...ye'd be makin'a tad less noise if'n ye were'nt wearin' a-lot of them clothes..." Suny whispers her suggestion back to Karsielle.
As the line of adventurers move forward, water lapping against a wall can be heard in the cavern ahead. Closer now, it appears to be a very large natural cavern that is filled with water. It is completely dark, but Mishael can see two boats tied up near the opening.
Mishael whispers to Flag "Ok, looks like we might be coming on up a sea cave. Its a large cavern, looks natural, and filled with water. There are two boats tied up where this passage opens into the cavern. I think we should keep moving forward."
Again Mishael whispers to Flag, "Strange. Looks like the tunnel comes to an end where those rowboats are moored. This is a big cavern. I can't see the other side. I thought we'd find something other than boats down here. I guess let's go see if anything is in them, agree?"
"Alright, let us move forward then. If no one is around then lead me so I don't fall into the water, hehe." "Artued" holds out his arm for Mishael to take the lead.
Mishael will guide Flag up to the boats.
At the sound of water Suny shivers...
Quietly Karsielle reminds Suny, "We wait here, until Mishael and BF give the all clear, then we know its safe."
'But...t'is water..." Suny points out in reply. "I c'n feel it..."
The two boats rest on the shore chained and locked to iron rungs embedded in the cavern walls. They appear to be empty other than a few sets of oars laying on top.
Looking out into the water you can see columns in several places, huge fluted pylons brace the ceiling. Every few seconds, the silence is eerily broken by the echo of a tiny droplet falling and hitting the surface of water.
The glimmer of water is enough for Suny to slowly begin creeping towards it.
Karsielle sighs a silent sigh as she sees Suny slowly make her way towards the water. With her dagger shining the light around her, she makes her way to Silas and says quietly, "Silas, all good with you. Suny can't help herself, protect her if needs be."
Suny dips her toes into the calm, still pool.
Mishael whispers, "I still don't see much else. Cavern keeps going and there are fluted pylons from the water to ceiling. So, either this cave is not as natural as it looks or those pylons have a different purpose. Seems we can row out into this cavern or head back up top and search the rest of the mortuary."
Suny dips her toes into the calm, still pool.
"Artued" whispers back, "I believe we should have our bounty hunter check out the tracks by the row boats if any. Then I guess our only option now is take the boats, and we should use both so if anybody is still at the Artued's place we can slow any chance they give us."
Karsielle, comes forward to the boats with Silas, now the party has gathered there. "Maybe we could better prepare ourselves for any dangers we face, with a search of Artued's offices and quarters?" She leaves the question hanging, but indicating with her eyes her preference to return.
Suny sighs and moves over to every one else.
"Well...that's ruined th' moment..." She mumbles then looks at the boats.
"So..how d'we get these skiffs free, then?" She asks.
"Sorry Suny. I have to agree with Karsielle. We don't even know what we're looking for out there. Let's see if we can find any letters or records."
Suny nods in agreement with Mishael and Karsielle, though her shoulders are still slumped showing her 'inner sadness' over something. Which, like a flick of a switch, changes mercurially.
"Okeis then, lets go see whut th' curmudgeon were hidin'." (^_^)
Karsielle unsheathes her dagger, allowing more light to make their way easier as with a smart step, she leads the group back up the tunnel to the rooms above.
Mishael whispers, "Let's start with the courtyard, then go up where Karsielle went earlier."
Suny nods, again helping Karsielle navigate their way up the stairs and out into the night's darkness.
"Criminies! Whut is it with all'a these skirts an' robes an' stuff?" Suny exclaims as even one the way up Karsielle's gear seems to conspire against their quiet ascent.
"I wonder if'n we'll find da birdies?" She wonders out loud as they emerge into the garden.
"Artued" moves along with the group.
Hope not Suny, you might have enjoyed it, the rest of us we left exposed to the nasty bitey creatures. I hope the moon shines down its silver light on the courtyard.
The night is quiet and still. The only sound anyone can hear is a set of horseshoes clapping against a brick road off in the distance.
The group looks all through the courtyard but no one notices anything interesting.
"Artued" will with his keys in his off hand and his other hand on his longsword, "Stay close, I just need to check my office."
Mishael follows Flag up to the office, staying alert in case any of Artued's men stay the night.
Suny nods and follows along,
"Artued" opens the door and inside finds a small office that consists only of a single oak desk and a few chairs framed by bookcases filled with dusty tomes. Green velvet curtains cover the room’s only window and the room’s sole light leaks feebly from the pewter candelabra on the desk. The office smells slightly musty and faded sage paint on the walls is starting to peel in the corners. A staircase along another wall leads up.
"Artued" opens the door and inside finds a small office that consists only of a single oak desk and a few chairs framed by bookcases filled with dusty tomes. Green velvet curtains cover the room’s only window and the room’s sole light leaks feebly from the pewter candelabra on the desk. The office smells slightly musty and faded sage paint on the walls is starting to peel in the corners. A staircase along another wall leads up.
Karsielle points 'Artued' in the right direction, although before she goes, she asks, "Did someone say anything about a barrel in here?"
Before she follows her friends up the stairs towards the office. She keeps a wary watch of their behind. Once in the office, she takes her time to go through desk and then the dusty tomes. She uses her ability to see the truth and casts detect magic, specifically to see through any illusions.
Mishael concentrates on helping Karsielle search the desk, with a particular focus on any letters of records of the business. While searching the desk and bookcase, she watches for any hidden compartments.