Private The Evening is wiser than the Morning.[EWM]

[A.Auditore]

stands adjusts her gear and quiver strap "Hope it doesn't come undone" and follows Bruyn out the door

 

[rizen]

Tappit stands "Well...here we go" he says to Michael. He claps Andante on the shoulder as he passes, looking back, flashing a winning combination of smile and wink. Just as he reaches the doorway, he turns to shout with two fingers raised on each hand "THANK YOU...SILVER BLOOD INNNNNN!" he leaves the Inn chuckling to himself.
"Face palmed Fetcher" Kleppr mumbles from behind the bar.


a moment passes...


Tappit re-enters the Inn, quickly walks across the room to the chair next to the fireplace and picks up his lute...he turns to see that the patronage are now all staring. He addresses this promptly "heh heh" the chuckle now awkward. He quickly walks back to the door. He pauses in contemplation, raises his index finger as if pointing to the ceiling, takes in an audible breath, reconsiders speaking at all....and leaves with his head held low.
Tappit follows the other two upward to the keep.

 

[Reiji]

Duva's hug made Michael bashful. Not that he didn't like the hug, but he had rarely had physical contact with others of that sort. His awkward feeling was shrugged off as Tappit spoke to him. "Indeed" replied Michael. He finished off his coffee and walked over to his room. While the others began to walk out of the inn, Michael flipped his robe inside out and quickly clasped the spider silk armor to the robe. He flipped it back over and put it on. "Hmm, I can barely tell that I'm wearing it" in the attempt of seeing how strong it was he punched himself in the gut several times. "Can't feel a thing". Pleased with the armor he smiled and put on his satchel. As he walked out of his room and passed the bar, Michael tapped Rath on the shoulder. "Time to go to work". Rath had eaten his breakfast and was listening as we all gathered. He grabbed his things and accompanied Michael out of the inn. As they stepped outside, Michael gazed up at the morning sky knowing that he may never see it again. He relinquished the thought, put on his hood and followed the others to the keep.

 

[Shew]

As they arrived at the keep, the guards started to say something then decided the better course was not to stop the impressive group of hardy adventurers, and let them all pass. they all took the first left hand corridor, then as it opened on a very impressive excavation of the front of a dwemer ruin Bruynzeel noticed a impressive Knight in full regalia standing next to Calcelmo, reaching out with his feelings he recognized the white green aura from the previous night. He also noted the Knights of the Nine livery. {That is the one I spoke of, I plan on him being my next thrall. You will have to train him before I release you.} {I would rather serve forever than enslave another.} {Your choice, but either way he will be mine.} as they approach "Calcelmo, we are ready to retrieve your artifact, The Key if you please." Calcelmo distracted as he is looking over a Dwemer sword... "Just a minute please I need to finish here first." Bruynzeel turns to the knight extending his paw in welcome "I am Qa'Bruynzeel. And this is my party, Your staying at the inn correct? I have room for a healer if you have the skills. And the inclination."

 

[Gemini Sierra]

Geminus crossed into the huge cavern in front of the Dwemer ruins. They were an quite an impressive site. Through the middle of the site was a small river, but it was the mechanical contraptions that were on top of pillars before the bronze door that really caught his attention. They were the same statues that were in the other section of the Keep. "If they were real the guards walking below would be in for a real fight. Heck they'd all be for a real fight," he thought to himself. He approached the mage standing there looking at some kind of artifact and asked if he was Calcelmo. "Aye, that I am. What do you need?" "I received this note saying that you wanted to buy this Dwemer sword I purchased in Whiterun." "INDEED, I do. I collect as many Dwemer items as I can and have many of the merchants in the holds on the look out for them or for anyone buying them. Although I'm not sure how that got all the way out there. Let me have a look at it." Geminus pulled the sword from his belt and handed it to Calcelmo. As he took it and began studying it, Geminus said, "I understand you've recently lost an expedition into these ruins. I am looking for some work, perhaps I could be of assistance." Calcelmo looked up from the sword with a frown, "I see the rumor mill is active in town. Yes. I have and I was expecting a group today to go looking for them," and went back to examining the sword.
As he was doing that, Geminus noticed a group of adventures enter the cavern.

As he watched them he noticed they were the same group he'd seen at the Inn and then he got that 'vibe' again as they approached. "Interesting, same vibe, same Khajiit. I wonder what the Divines are trying to warm me about," he thought to himself. The Khajiit stepped up to Calcelmo and told him that he and his group were ready to retrieve the an artifact. Calcelmo wasn't to be deterred from looking at the sword so the Khajiit turned to Gemius extending his paw introducing himself and saying that he was looking for a healer for his group. Gemius accepted the handshake and said, "Well met Qa'Bruynzeel, I am Geminus Sierrus, Knight of the Order of the Nine. A pleasure to meet you and your group. <pauses> Yes I am staying at the Inn," He replied with smile and a bit of a skeptical look. "Funny that you're looking for a healer as I was just offering to help Calcelmo here and go look for his lost expedition. So, if it is going the same place I'd be delighted to help your party as well, but I am not just a healer, but I suspect you knew already?"

 

[Shew]

"Indeed, The Knights of the Nine are not unknown to me and their prowess with sword and shield quite legendary in fact, but some and I was hoping you were among them have made themselves more of a Paladin type and take up restoration school magics for the sake of battlefield healing." Pauses, looks him up and down, releases the hand shake. And states, "I mean you no offense, your armor speaks of training, your livery speaks of inexperience or great care. Especially since its a long journey from the central empire and Knights hall."

 

[rizen]

Tappit followed the group into the entryway of the excavation site. It was enormous...seriously intimidating. Tappit looked over the edge of Calcelmo's makeshift 'laboratory', giving way to a flowing underground river. "Nice" he congratulated Calcelmo. Tappit cupped around his mouth..."HELLO!!......hello...........hello" the cavern echoed back "excellent". Calcelmo's attention diverted from the relic sword to scowl at Tappit "The key, sai?...Bruynzeel is growing ever older as we wait" he smiles at Calcelmo while Bruynzeel continued making introductions with the 'shiney man'.

 

[Gemini Sierra]

Geminus tilted his head and looked at the Khajiit, the 'vibe' was back. "Older than he appears maybe," he thought.

"Your observations are correct sir and no offense taken. You are right, I have just recently been Knighted and shortly afterwards was sent to Skyrim as an emissary of the Order to report on the civil war that is going on in these parts. So, yes, my armor is mostly new but I try to take care of it. Also, I have indeed trained and become expert in the Restoration school for battlefield healing. I'm one of the few knights that have progressed so far as the others tend to learn the Destruction school as well." He paused looking at the others, "I'm no novice fighter I assure you, I've squired with the best knights in the Order and been sent on several successful solo quests as well. This armor," he rapped his knuckles on the chest plate, "is my gift for becoming a full fledged Knight," he finished with a smile.

 

[A.Auditore]

behind bruyn, entering the understone keeps coming to a stop when they reach Calcelmo, seeing the knight she turns and whispers to Michael "Good chance trying to sneak up on the falmer and spider with him clanking around with us"

 

[Shew]

"Then please join us..." {He feels your touch} {What how is that possible?} {Its why I want him} {Over my dead body.} {No you don't get out that easy} "... sorry pardon me, Yes Calcelmo can I please have the key as you can see we are prepared and you have waited long enough for the artifact and for news of the other expeditions." Calcelmo mumbles under his breath while not looking away from the sword and reaches into his pocket producing a intricate dwemer key, and holding it out til Bruynzeel takes it. as he turns and starts toward the doors, he keeps a slow pace so they all can introduce themselves and says, "This is Geminus gang make him feel welcome."... "Duva can I speak with you?"

 

[A.Auditore]

"Yeah sure Bruyn you want to speak in private?" points over near the Hall of dead

 

[Shew]

"Lets just go a few paces faster than the rest.".... as they get just out of earshot of the rest "As you can hear, He has muffle on his boots, essentially making him quieter than you just were. The better part of discretion is holding ones tongue."

 

[rizen]

Looking the heavily armoured Geminus over, Tappit extends his hand "Well now, sai rusty...I'm Tappit Boss..." he grins "I've gotcha back" nodding solemnly "although it seems you already have protection in order"...Tappit takes to the wing of the group, giving room for the other's to get acquainted with Geminus and maintaining a slow pace to respect the privacy of Bruynzeel and Duvaindes.

 

[A.Auditore]

closes her eyes and looks down "It's a learning process ok, Im implusive and I can't help it, if you knew anything about me you'd somewhat understand but you don't" takes a deep breath "Sorry, I didn't see the enchantment and I should just hold my tongue" turns and walks back towards the group and stands next to Tappit feeling heat raidate off him

 

[Rathalos_lord_of_the_sky]

Rath looks around.
"WOW! Have you ever seen such a sight! This place is amazing!"
Rath looks at the newcomer. (What was his name? I should really start listening to Bruyn.... Naaah)
"Hello there, I welcome you to our disfucntional family." Rath says as he looks around the cave/ruin. "Hmm if we play our cards right we can walk out of here RICH! Ha ha!"
Rath looks around he walks a few paces behind the group. He clasps his hands together.

"And shepherds we shall be,​

for thee my lord for thee.​

Power hath descended forth from thy hand,​

that our feet may swiftly carry out thy command.​

So we shall flow river forth to thee,​

and teeming with souls shall it ever be.​

In nomine patris,​

et filli,​

et spiritus sancti."​

​

Rath flips his hood up, "Today I kill for my lady. May she watch my steps and keep them silent." ​

Rath draws his dagger and runs up a dwemer ruin piece. He jumps and climbs until he is above the two large copper looking doors.​

"Let's do this!"​

 

[Andante]

As she finished painting she reached for a clean napkin on the table to wipe her hands on; leaving brilliant violet smudges on the bright, white cloth. She nodded in acknowledgement of his thanks and turned back to her cup of tea, still steaming on the table, and took another long drink. She knew if she had any hope of keeping what little bit of time she had left, she would need it. The brisk liquid filled her with a warm sense of strength and vigor, she shivered slightly as she grabbed her unsharpened blade and the whetting stone and set to work smoothing the blade down to a fine, sharp cutting edge. She preferred this method to the fast-paced, and often times unpredictable honing of a grindstone. It took much longer this way, but she could rest easy in the assurance that her time would pay off.

She leaned over her work, her face mere inches from the blade, as she assured it would be in finest condition for the job ahead. The gracefully decorated, leather wrapped hilt rested on her thigh as she held the tapering blade flat against her palm, and glided the smooth, sharpening stone down the other side. As she finished, she layed a thin, finely woven cloth over her hand and soaked it in a pungent smelling oil, then carefully wiped down both sides to a glimmering sheen, and nestled both swords back into their sheathes. The Ebony blades were nearly as old as she, but caring for them this way they had never failed her in a time of need.

Taking another drink of her tea, and draining the cup, her eyes glanced over the rim toward the end of the table where her companions had sat and noticed their seats empty and their equipment gone. In a brief moment of shock she jolted with a start and sent tea running down her chin, in a most undignified of manners. Grabbing for the nearest napkin, the one on which she’d wiped her paint-stained hands before, she blotted at her face leaving purple smudges on her cheeks and lips. She looked down in a frenzy and grimaced at the mess she’d made of herself. “Gah, for the love...of...it all...” She strained as she scrubbed at her face with a clean napkin, moistened in a bit of cold tea.

Grabbing her things in a hurry, she spilled a few arrows from her quiver and spat in disgust at having so little time to prepare herself and gather her equipment. She quickly glanced at the arrowheads as she stuffed them back into their holster, having no time to check that they were properly secured as she would have liked to. Quickly, she fastened her swords to her belt, one lying gently over the other in their matching, black leather scabbards, and secured her bow to her back just over her satchel so they wouldn’t tangle, and made for the door. Some of the tavern patrons eyed her with suspicion and amusement as the quiet, stoic Bosmer stumbled uncharacteristically over herself and out of the tavern. “Wonder what got into her...” One of them said, snickering into his mead.

She set off across the city at a slight jog, eyes scanning the stone walls, doorways and sidestreets for a glimpse of her companions but they truly had set off in a hurry, and were far ahead of her. Stopping in the middle of the street she sighed helplessly, realizing for the first time how ridiculous she must look in such a state. “So much for the whole companionship thing...” She muttered gruffly under her breath, before taking off at a brisk walk toward Understone Keep, hoping they hadn’t gotten so far ahead they were already getting strung up by Falmer.

Stepping into the cool, darkened halls of the keep she could hear voices coming out of a cavern to the right and made her way toward them, ignoring the curious and inquisitive looks of the guards as she passed. Over the rubble of the partially collapsed corridor she made out the forms of her companions standing in conversation with a tall, Knightly looking man she didn’t recognize; there were two Altmer to the side, one she assumed to be the elusive Calcelmo, the scholar studying the ruins. She spotted Bruynzeel and Duva as well, their heads together away from the others and huffed in aggravation. As they parted she caught him far enough away that the others might not hear, and crossed her arms as she stood in his path. “It may do you well to ensure the presence of your entire party in the future, Master Khajiit.”

 

[A.Auditore]

snickers at Andantes comment, shakes her head and ties her hair back "I can already tell this is going to be one hell of an intersting adventure already" her wolfish grin crosses her face "Lets get in there and kick some butt"

 

[rizen]

Picking up on an awkwardness amongst the numbers, and the isolated area being safe with those doors securely locked. Tappit decides to trail off ahead and let the others speak in private.

He slowly crosses the bridge, each step deliberate, looking over the side...both afraid of falling and yet compelled to look anyway "those rocks look pointy" he mumbled to himself.

He passed two enormous columns that rose from either side of him, the remnants of dwemer machinery, posted as guards sat atop of each, brandishing each their own weapon drawn as if challenging those who approached. Tappit did not care much for the menacing nature of these statues and he chose not to look at them for very long.

The other side of the river gave way to the enormous entrance that Calcelmo treasured so much, Nchuand-Zel's excavation site. Tappit made his way up the ancient rise of stone stairs, pausing to glance up at Rath perched atop what looked like a giant face moulded from dwemer metal, crafted in great detail and not looking very happy about being mounted there for so long. Tappit swallowed hard.
He made his way to the top and ran his hand across the intricate patterns on the large doors. Firepits were smouldering embers on either side of the doorway to illuminate the entrance. Although the heat emitted, the doors remained icy cold to touch. Tappit shivered.
He agreed with Duvaindes, this was going to be...interesting.

 

[A.Auditore]

Looks over towards the doors and see Tappit slowly walks over to him, almost sneaking up behind him and places her gloved hand on his shoulder "As long as we stick together, nothing bad will happen" smiles

 

[Gemini Sierra]

After Qa'Bruynzeel took the key from Calcelmo and led the young Altmer with the red hair off a little ways, “Probably about that comment,” Geminus turned back to Calcelmo and they concluded their business and stashed a coin purse, a little heftier than what he paid for the sword originally, into his satchel. As he turned back around the Imperial named Tappit Boss introduced himself and Geminus laughed at the comment about his armor.

With a quick check of his gear he decided he didn’t need anything else and started following the group. He watched as the Breton, who had not introduced himself yet, cried out his excitement and dashes across the bridge and with surprising agility scaled the wall next to the doors and perched on top of the large head above the great doors.

At that moment also, a Bosmer, a wood elf he recalled, came into the cavern and approached Bruynzeel, stopped in front of him crossed her arms defiantly and said something to him that Geminus didn’t quite catch. She didn’t look none to please though.

The young looking Altmer, apparently named Duva, made a comment about this being an interesting adventure and then walked over to Tappit, who had gone ahead of the group to the great doors and stood there examining them.

“Interesting adventure indeed,” he thought as he looked over at the other Imperial who had an unusual eye and markings below the eye. He was quietly following along as they group passed over the stone bridge.

As the rest of the group approached the great doors of Nchuand-Zel, he looked over the group once more, he smiled and unstrapped his helmet from his belt and placed it on his head. He always liked this helmet, a much fancier stylized version of the winged steel helmut, it was nicely padded, had perfectly placed eye slots that gave him nearly unobstructed view to the front but not quite to the periphial sides. The best feature was the small set of holes just below the wings, set in a circle right at his ears, allowing him to hear his environment without it being muffled by the helmet and providing protection all the way around his head to his neck.

He was now ready, he hoped for whatever lay beyond the doors. He stopped and then remembered one thing, his tabbard. He pulled off his helmut with a sheepish grin, stuck it over the hilt of his sword and pulled the tabbard over his head. Folding it a few times he tucked it into his satchel and then put his helmet back on.