Jacomo bows to Igmutanka and gestures at the stairs, then follows after him.
Accepting Jacomo's invitation, Igmutanka walks up the stairs. Even after all the noise, he can't help but trying to be sneaky, just in case.
White Knight looks to his comrades pointing to his own mouth and shaking his head.
-I think we should turn back, we've got several options and, after all, we're not stealthy anymore since we 'picked' the other door.
Feeling a little apprehensive, Ariok moves forward quietly until he can see the source of the crying.
Softly, he says "There is no cause for tears that Desna cannot comfort. My name is Ariok, I am a humble follower of goodness and light and I will not hurt you."
"I shall be more than happy to turn back if that is your wish, though I would prefer to do so after we have determined whether anything can be gleaned from the rooms open to us," Jacomo whispers. He then steps into the larger and slightly nicer room to have a look.
-Alright, I'll have a look...
"Pardon my appearance, ladies, I seem to be a little out of place. If you need freeing, I will lend what assistance I can. But first, perhaps, you can be a help to us? Please tell me what you know of this keep and its surroundings."
White Knight bows, "Greetings I am White Knight Two, it is a Arik says, we have dealt with the Chimera, for now, but need to find some means of permanently slaying the creature. It spoke of a "Bane Metal" I do not suppose you would know what that might be? Failing that any information you could provide about what happened here would be appreciated."
-Arite, shall we go back, then?
The women falls silent for a moment as tears roll down her face. "That was months ago. It's killed 'n' eaten anyone that stood up to it. Rickard 'n' a few other nasty men swore t'serve it as the new king. They stole all the gold in the city 'n' then rounded everyone up and brought 'em b'fore that thing. What few as could bring gifts it liked were allowed to stay in their homes where they're hiding or else have run off; the rest were all crammed into the dungeons where most of 'em still are."
"Can you take us to these dungeons? Or tell us how to get there? Someone there may know more useful information, and if the creature is as tyranical as you say, no further harm can come from trying."
"If that is your wish, Igmutanka, we can return." Jacomo follows Igmutanka's lead.
"There're guards in there to make sure no one escapes," the old woman explains, "some of Rickard's goons. They... well, they've done unspeakable things to some of the younger women. Please let us stay here. It's easy to get to the dungeon: go through that door behind ya on the otherside of the hall where ya came in; follow the corridor; there's a door at the end that opens into the dungeon. They always leave those doors open so we can bring over food- meals fit fer the King fer them 'n' porridge fer everyone else."
"It may be prudent to enlist the help of the others before we confront those guards." Ari says, looking to White Knight.
White Knight nods, "Agreed, I think we should also check on Pawn before we do so - though I sense no apprehension, more glee."
Heading back up with a nod to the women he seeks Igmutanka and Jacamo and finds them retracing their steps.
"We have guards below who have been cooperating with the beast. Apparently it has been in this position several times, and even burned on pyres, but has always come back. We must hope for some imformation below, from either these guards or their prisoners."
-Cuursed Manitou...- says Igmutanka when they finally rejoin. -We must find what is this 'bane metal' it talked about, and whether there's some in here.
As Igmutanka and Jacomo make their way down the other hallway, passed the large dining room, they hear footsteps approaching. Bracing themselves for a potential altercation, they're relieved to discover it is Ariok, Rin, and the Knight.
"Guards and prisoners? Why are the latter so disposed?" Jacomo walks as he talks, following the party back towards the dungeons. "Are they guilty of some crime? Or are these dungeons merely a larder for the Chimera, and the guards his butlers?"
"The second I'm afraid, my good fellow. "
Ari says, disturbed by the recent history of this place.
"It seems the beast has parlayed it's durability into rulership of this domain. Collecting evil men and oppressing those who oppose him along the way."
The clown frowns and nods. "I see. These men can be no greater challenge than was their master; let us pay unto them the wages of their tyranny."
"I am glad to hear you say such. For the desire of my heart is to see justice done, but my physical form is lacking in the dispensation."
-By the way- says Igmutanka while looking around in suspicion, -We should check how your little friend is faring, just in case.
"Agreed, Pawn VIII does seem a touch... Excitable, checking up on him would seem prudent," White Knight concedes leading the way back into the great hall to check how his familiar fares.
Looking into the throne room, the Chimera is clearly well under control. Pawn does, however, seem less in control as he taunts the corpse and periodically stabs it.
Rin's face goes pale at the bloody scene. "I'm going to go see if I can do anything for those women," she mutters before hurrying off.
"Well, shall we go see if we can give some bad men a bad day? Ariok says to those who remain.
"Let's."
Jacomo follows the others' lead to the dungeon.
-So- Igmutanka whispers, -what's the plan then?
He produces a small straw from somewhere and starts chewing it.
We all traval slowly toward the dungeon. Stopping if we hear voices that are not ours.