Vondiras felt the weight lifting off Domo and the rest of those in the caravan as he announced what they'd all been waiting to hear under the midmorning sun. "We've made it my friends, feast your eyes, below just but a half hour the gates of Tyril. Strong walls, stronger drink, and a day or two without marching in the sun and sand." The elf called out from his perch up on a ledge of one of the monolithic sandstone's that he'd scaled to wait for the wagons. The ragged cheer did him good, he was happy to see Domo's guards' spirits rising, as they laughed and joked. They'd known the risks, same as Von and his friends, however it hadn't been Von who'd buried friends back amidst the Teeth to be forgotten. At least not this time.
Von scrambled down, Silvius rising from where she'd laid to catch her breath under the shade of the stony outcrop. Belle and Beliana met the elf, hugging him, as Coris moved forward to the front wagon, stepping onto the running board as Ashaan got the camels moving at a light trot. The animals were eager to the task, as if they were familiar with this journey and excited to reach its end. Besides Ashaan, Domo allowed himself to share a smile and chuckle with Coris. "Well we made it, and you and your companions performed admirably. You have my gratitude once again."
Coris shared the smirk and nodded, eyeing the approaching town. Tyril was a well fortified settlement, almost the size of Kalesh, and her copper mines were well known to any dwarves whom called the Kaleshin region home. The mine, and therefore in a fashion the town, were actually run by a small dwarven clan, the founders of the settlement. "Ach, t'e job only 'alf done o' course, we still gots ta deal wit' t'e return trip. 'ow long we goin' ta be in Tyril?" Coris asked Domo, his mind already clearly at work trying to figure out the plan for him and his companions.
Domo shook his head, able to read the dwarf's face. "You are under my employ, your needs will be seen to, all of you. We shall have the benefits of the hospitality and accommodations at The Drifting Rose, as fine a speakeasy and inn as any you've been in. You and your companions may also seek respite at the Silverweave Bath-house, a gift of thanks. Worry not of your two companions that bear the mark of service, I'll smooth that over, it is the very least I can do. See tension drain and muscles relaxed. As to your question, well I normally would say only two days, however this trip may be special. We may be in Tyril as long as a week, though if that turns out to be true, you shall perhaps be offered the chance at a secondary bonus contract of sorts, however I would not wish to say anything further about it at this time."
Coris' eyebrow raised, the intrigue and curiosity obvious on his face. "Ach, fair 'nough Laird Domo, keep them cards gripped tight fer nae. Ye offerin' more than 'nough benefits ta keep me an' mine out o' trouble for a time." the dwarf replied, winking to the halfman, before with practiced ease he stepped off, allowing himself to fall into a tucked roll, and back to his feet off the wagon, seeming almost not to miss a stride, despite a heavy initial impact. He brushed the sand off as he moved among the wagons and guards on foot, finding his companions to explain the situation to them.
Beliana greeted her husband as he found them with an embrace, leaning down to meet his lips with her own. "What news from our benefactor and employer lover?" She asked him, her voice husky and smooth in his ear as they released their embrace. Belle and Von were soon with the pair, clearly waiting to hear the dwarf.
"Well, first off, he's taken care o' our 'comodations, by the sounds o' it 'e may 'ave just sent word 'head via magick or pigeon? Cause we gots room and board at t'e Driftin' Rose. Wit' our numbers I'd guess just rented out a full floor o' t'e place. We also been invited ta take an evening at t'e Silverweave Bath-'ouse, he'll be sendin' word ta make t'e arrangements an' ta prepay fer us ta seek such respite an' delight. A kindness we all goin' ta appreciate, I'm sure o' t'at!" Coris marked swiftly here looks clouding Belle and Von's face, and the dwarf held up his hands. "Domo said he'd 'ave t'at issue 'smoothed' over, his words. Nae t'e halfman may be a merchant, 'owever I finds I believes 'im. So let's get in ta town, get our bearings. We may be 'ere up ta a week, dependin' on events Domo nae wished ta share at t'is time, so may as well get comfortable."
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Coming through Tyril's sturdy gates, through its sturdy stone walls was a little bit like walking into Kalesh itself. The town's open bazaar and market square dominated the entrance and area around the town's main gate from the Copperfold Byway, a reasonable decision given that most traffic and trade both left town from and arrived to town through this gate. It was late morning, and the bazaar had an overhanging scent of foods, spiced meats, stone baked breads and the like. As the wagons moved past the gates, Domo having spoken to some of the gate guards, turned to address his day-men and of course the hired hands of Beliana and her companions. "The afternoon is yours my friends. We may be here as much as a week, but you shall be accruing pay for every day, of course. Ashaan is moving amongst you all now with a small bonus, a token of my thanks and in memory of our departed. Your accommodations are accounted for at the Drifting Rose. For those of you unfamiliar with Tyril, simply mark your location well, here in the market square." Domo pointed at this moment with a sweeping gesture to two large buildings across the market square almost perfectly mirrored from the gate itself. Large buildings, one with a simple sign above its main door, that of rose drifting on a cloud, though the paint was well faded. "So long as you make your way back to the gate, you cannot help but see it. Simply mention my name and inform whomever is at the front entrance whom you are in connection to me, and they will insure you are graced with your accommodations, as well as food and drink as you need."
By this point it was clear, to everyone and even to Beliana and her companions, as Ashaan arrived to them, handing them each a few folded notes. "You each will find about fifty gold worth within that small pinch of money. That is for you to taste the market, to buy a trinket or two for your partners or kids should you have them, or to buy something for yourselves, some fine wine perhaps, or for those whom are single, a couple hours of company at the Water Serpent Boudoir perhaps, down South-Stone Lane just there." the merchant chuckles, "I know not of those delights lately, but mistress Elain have a stirling reputation as does her house of pillows. So enjoy yourselves a little, insure you make it back to the Drifting Rose tonight. Don't get arrested, don't get killed, don't make me do any paperwork, and unwind a bit. Be it a day or two or as long as a week, soon enough we shall be surrounded by the sand, the wilderness and the grasses once again, amongst the perils of the road. So relax a little whilst we can. Ashaan, you and the drivers get the wagons and the animals to Malak's stables down the road on Vessi Way, then come back to the Rose. Darro you're with me to get everything set up in the Rose, sorry you have to take another hour before you can enjoy your afternoon and evening. The rest of you, dismissed!!!"
Beliana and Coris moved down the streets, following Domo's directions with barely contained excitement and desire, whispering sweet and filthy things to each other as they moved from the inn, having shed their weapons and armor, well most of them. They were battle hardened mercenaries and never went anywhere completely unarmed, both had daggers kept on their hips, a common behavior all across Susma. They moved down the streets of Tyril, enjoying the sights and sounds, Coris very much enjoying the noticeable increase in dwarven presence, greeting kindred with smiles and nods.
The pair had shared a fine meal of antelope flank, slow roasted in various peppers and spices, with a side of fried peppers, mushrooms, and onions. It had been delicious, shared privately with a pitcher of blackfire wine, a vintage even Coris appreciated, despite his preference for ale. Now the pair had pooled what funds they had, and were intending to visit the Silver-weave Bath-house. They knew well of this location, and its private pools for those whom wished a more intimate experience, and thus intended to get one. The Silver-weave Bath-house was massive, the largest building in the city by area, taking up the equivalent of six or seven larger shops near the center of town. It was build over a geyser, which was in its center, open to the sky, and the natural hot springs around this geyser were the pools, or fed the pools as needed, of the facility.
The pair entered the bath-house and were immediately greeted by the pleasant misty steam upon their faces, as they moved to one of the desks where a halfling woman was greeting guests. She offered them a soft smile, and they noted like most staff in such facilities, she was dressed in a way that left little to the imagination, her thin white dress basically semi-transparent from the dampness in the air. The heat and humidity saw most in sheer and thin garments of this sort, on loan and rent from the facility itself, however some simply walked through the facilities with little more than a towel or even nude. None of the staff of course, such would be poor etiquette and potentially suggest services that it was known those in the Silver-weave did not offer. They were professionals, and even practiced medicine of a sort, utilizing oils and massage techniques to aid with all manner of muscle and joint ailments. As was common in such facilities as well, as they entered, Coris clocked two men, muscular sorts, dressed down for the heat but obviously with padded armor and cudgels about their waists. There would likely be another two or three wandering about the facilities, to deal with any problems should they arise.
Beliana leaned forward, meeting the woman's gaze and they exchanged pleasantries in Halish, as she explained the wants of her and her husband, making clear they desired privacy, perhaps a complimentary fruit platter in an hour or so, but no other services. "We have been on the road for near a week and as members of the Sickles, our professional obligations kept us to focused and we wish....to revitalize ourselves with each other." she explained coyly.
A small giggle escaped the woman's lips, her eyes of hazel twinkling with mischief. "I know exactly what you mean, myself and my husband do such a thing at least every few weeks here. Perk of the job, discounts and such. Something about the steamy mist, the warm water, nothing but a sheer curtain keeping you visually separated from the view of others, there is...a certain additive to it. We have just the pool, and it is available, no one has used it this day. Follow this gangway behind me, you will move around the communal pool, down a hallway, and it will be your third left. Enjoy yourselves, and when or if you do desire any other services, merely ring the silver bell twice on the left side of the pool, and a member of the staff will be with you presently to aide you."
Beliana paid the woman and gave her thanks, all the while feeling her own desires rising. The pair moved swiftly down the gangway, Coris' mind very much in sync with his wife's. The afternoon and evening would be all theirs, a pleasure well earned after a week of travel.
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Vondiras left the small shop, aptly named Fletches and Boughs, satisfied and with a spring in his step as Silvius padded up along side him, licking his offered hand as the pair started back towards the Rose. He'd been putting it off, for he did not wish to craft one himself, though he could. He had also not wished to purchase something from Kalesh or from just any bowyer. However the proprietor of Fletches and Boughs had come highly recommended by a fellow member of the Sickles, Mahadi Zafeer, a fellow huntsman. The tantur bowman had sung high praise of the elven woman Erinvasa, whom's shop and business it was. He had recommended that Von pay her a visit if he ever got the chance on a job up in Tyril.
Vondiras glanced down to his knew wrist-guard, made in traditional elven style, but with local materials. A thin layer of antelope leather, acacia bark and then brine hardened and treated crocodile hide, smoothed carefully with fine finishing tools and elven dexterity. It would protect his inner arm well, better than his old guard which had long been on its last legs. He had lived with the string rash and bruising however because the connection to his ancestry meant more to him than that, and it was not worth it to get something made another way. This piece however, it sat comfortably, sitting like it belonged, like it was part of him, and that brought great joy to the elven archer. Well worth the entire fifty gold bonus Domo had paid him. "Come on Silvius let us get back to the Rose, I'm hungry as I'm sure you are." he said with a smile, giving the she-wolf a scratch behind the ear. Silvius accepted the scratches for a brief time but needed no further invitation, understanding Von's tone and the pair took off at a run, heading back to their lodgings for the night.
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Belle tingled with anticipation as she returned to her room at the Drifting Rose. She had long waited for this moment, as she laid out the needles, mixed and special inks she'd purchased from Tyril's Magisterium campus. Domo's writ had given her perfect cover to make such a purchase, acquiring three small vials of manna-dust ink, utilized most normally in spell-books and scroll crafting, however that was not her purpose here. Unbeknownst to anyone here, for all her tattoos upon her arms were mundane and she had no others, having not as of yet done the art on herself, Belle had a bit of the Touch. She could not cast magick, so was no apostate or any such, but much like a few of her fellow sand circle warriors from those days, she had a quirk of sorts. For most of them it had been something they'd utilized liberally, giving them an edge in the sand circle. Belle had never needed it, but had also not been confident enough.
She was a Skin-Sketcher, or had the potential to be. Her mother, for the limited memories she had of the woman in her early years, had been one. Skin-Sketchers were rather unique in that they could not handle manna directly nor weave spells, but they could, utilizing manna-infused inks, etch themselves with unique and special tattoos, constellations and symbols of both Faei and Draconic nature that would hold manna and power, allowing them, with a simple command, to manifest powers of sorts. The tattoo would go dark then, needing some time, around a day, to simply exist, the manna dust within the inks slowly drawing in and storing more manna, more energy, until the color and hue of the tattoo came back, at which point you knew it was capable of being used again.
Belle's mother had taught her a few symbols and signs in her youth, and she'd committed three of them to memory, working on them in her little sketch books, over and over over the years and decades. Every time however she'd never felt....right about the finished work. She had never felt the sparks of power looking at the finished images, so had never actually done any ink work. That was until this last sketch of the constellation of Tauron the Powerful. A constellation of an ox head, the horns very pronounced. When she'd finished the sketch two nights ago on the road she'd known immediately. She was most pleased that she would get to do this tonight. She carefully laid out the three inks, the necessary needles and other tools, as she set up the room's mirror, thankful that it came with one, on the bunk. She pulled the table closer to the bunk carefully, and removed her tunic, eyeing her torso, letting her sense guide her, falling into the task as almost a meditation. Every poke, every tap of the small mallet to help drive and drag the needle to etch the lines, every wipe of the blood a ritual.
Hours passed and her breathing remained calm, for though she was effectively engaging in a sort of scarification, she did not really feel it. Such was the strength of this ancient type of magick. Once she was finished, she laid on her back, every now and again dabbing away the blood, allowing the magick of the inks and her own Touch to do as it was meant to. After a six hour process and another two on her back, she felt the warm upon her shoulder and chest, just above her left breast, where her shoulder met her torso, and she rose, carefully and lightly wiping it once more with a mixture of strong rye and water to insure it was clean. The image in her skin was flawless, each line smooth, almost as if part of her instead of etched by needle and hand. Every star marked with a dot of radiant diamond infused ink, and each line connecting the stars to form the shape a deep amber or red, the pattern following some unknowable instinct Belle had felt. Ruby and Topaz infused inks providing their sheens. She felt the thrumming, slight but ever present, in her, and knew instinctually the words to activate the arcane tattoo, though she said them not.
Once she was done carefully cleaning it, Belle ate swiftly, having brought her food from dinner the Rose provided up to her room, a request she was grateful the staff had been willing to honor. Once she was done eating, as she expected would happen, a great wave of fatigue hit Belle, and she happily surrendered, laying down carefully in her cot, insuring to lay on her back, and soon enough she was snoring, in a deep and revitalizing sleep.
The smell of metal and sandstone, the heavy dust, the whirring and grinding of gears mixing with the occasional hiss of steam and the ever present hum of magnetch. The Tyr Copper pit was a vast mine, the mine itself outside the city, though watched over by a military fort. During the day no less than four hundred employees; a mix of machine operators, miners, lead hands and wagon crews were always busy. Even at night no less than a hundred people were present, security types. The mine was loud, the dust heavy the smells and sounds ever present. Dust mixed with copper, coal smoke, machine grease and oil. Myrin Domo was well out of place here, yet did not walk or move much like it, nor did he cough or seem remotely bothered. He laughed and joked with the miners he passed, those he knew from his previous visits he made small talk with, asking of wives, husbands and families. Such was the halfman's gift, he had a way with the working folk, despite being one of the wealthy elite of Susma.
He moved with practiced awareness, seeming comfortable with the chaotic rhythm of the mine, as he meandered his way, with Darro at his side of course, to the pit's office building on the north face. As he crossed the last laneway, moving to the stairs that led up to the upper offices of the building, he glanced at his pocket-watch. He was a touch early, perhaps ten minutes or so, however that was just fine by Myrin. "Bovik always did value punctuality in his business partners after all, so I'm sure he will be most pleased." he said with a soft smile gracing his lips. "Come Darro, up these stairs let us make our presence known."
The pair entered the large building's second floor, which opened into a receptionist area of sorts where two individuals worked beyond desks, filing out paperwork, going over forms and documents. One of them looked up, and did a brief double take. The human spoke, her voice soft, friendly and welcoming, a practiced professional receptionist type voice. "Hello sirs, I regret I do not know how to best address you, for I do not recognize you, but recognize one so well dressed and adorned must be one of station. Have you an appointment, or is there some other business or reason for your visit?"
Domo smiled softly, tipping his head in deference. "I am Myrin Domo, or Masser Domo if you insist on formalities. I am Bovik's business partner from Kalesh. I would presume you only started in this last year as you do not recognize me. I have an appointment, and I am sure he is expecting me in mere moments if not presently. Is his office still the big one at the back with the window overlooking the pit?"
"It is indeed, and apologies, yes, I am new, Myra is on leave, she had her first child last month, and though I knew to expect you I had no knowledge of what you would look like."
"Oh that is most wonderful news! Darro remind me, I shall need to send her a small gift, though I'm sure Bovik will have done so on our behalf. Her and that smithy's lad must finally have gotten to walking the circle, it only took three years, I am glad to hear it!" Domo told her, chuckling. "I won't keep you distracted you have plenty of work to do, no need to walk us, we'll show ourselves in. Oh I didn't catch your name miss?"
"Much appreciated Masser Domo." she replied with a nod, retaking her seat. "And my name is Katrine Naveer, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Myrin moved past the desks and into the hall with purpose towards the door at the far end, which opened to a large office with an exterior wall that was nothing but window overlooking the mine, his curiosity growing by the step. Bovik had sent word some two months ago that this year when they met would not be like most previous years, and that he ought to be prepared for a bit of excitement, and an interesting business opportunity. The halfman could feel a tingle of anticipation and curiosity, for he had known Bovik for many years now and the dwarf had a damn good sense for business and a nose for opportunity. It was his idea to expand the mine's operations from merely copper to stone as well, for the surface layers of sandstone as well as the tougher bedrock below where the ore was found were both quality stone that had a good market value. His predecessors had been far more focused on the ore, and had not considered expanding to be a multi-faceted operation. But Bovik was a true dwarf's dwarf, with a nose for business and geology. A great partner to have in this industry. So it was with tingles of excitement that Myrin knocked on the door to the office, opened it, stepping inside and announcing himself.
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Myrin leaned back in the chair he was seated in, letting his pipe smoke surround him, as he put aside his third glass of dwarven rye. He then going through the sheath of documents Bovik had handed him only moments ago. Though they'd talked for over an hour and a half, the sheer shock of the conversation had time meaning nothing to Myrin at this moment as he picked through the documents. Depth charts, data on the deposit a few different layouts of that section of tunnels within the mine and possible extraction layouts and plans, and some larger ones of the mine and pit in general, depicting various possible scenarios and positions for the necessary refining and handling facilities. The halfman had expected opportunity and potential for riches and something exciting, however regardless of that, though having no idea what Bovik had been hinting at in his correspondence, the merchant prince could say with certainty this particular turn of events had been at the bottom of his list, if it would have even been on his list at all. "You are absolutely confident and certain of this Bovik? I know I've asked that at least a dozen times now, however I hope you understand my sheer...well shock at this. What you are describing its...astounding. I cannot be sure on a worldwide scale, however it would certainly be one of the biggest of its kind discovered on the continent at the very least."
"Ach yes, I promises ye I'm sure, I went down there meself, as close as I dared, and could see the walls o' the hole. I handled the chips me lads brought up with my own two hands. Ruby, nae mistakin' 'em. Easily a four to six year deposit with several hundred gems ta remove, a few likely as big as two o' me fists, about as big as they come. Most smaller but still a decent size."
Myrin leaned back, taking a deep draw from his pipe, letting numbers run wild in his head. The sheer profit potential on such a discovery, such a deposit of manna gems, was obscene. It would likely double the earnings of the mine for the length of time the deposit took to clean out. If not more. He shifted forward again, looking over the documents with more scrutiny this time. "I see costs and equipment listings on these. You've already mapped out how best to do this. Do you have a particular version you like best my friend? You've made multiple versions of plans for this setup and I don't understand why or what their differences, perhaps beside price, are?"
"Ach, well the key differences besides price, which 'onestly is a secondary concern, are issues o' safety o' worker, equipment and just the mine in general. The gems, they'll be rather volatile at first see, comin' out o' t'e wall o' a magma pool. Extractin' 'em and gettin' 'em up out o' t'e hole be tricky 'nough, but t'en we 'as t'e issue o' nearly a 'alf mile o' tunnel an' just about three 'undred feet o' depth ta traverse ta get topside. Neither o' those be straight shots either, it be staggered stretches o' tunnel an' lifts, goin' down through a few layers o' the mines. T'e key thing when transportin' raw rubies, uncut, is ta avoid exposin' 'em ta rapid jumps or drops in temperature, as well as ta many sudden impacts. So our problems are three fold. We needs ta keep 'em toasty, nah hot even, given we extractin' em from the wall o' a pond o' magma. Then we needs ta keep em stable through the transportin' process, an' then we needs facilities ta process 'em. Unfortunately we nae got the space nor capability ta put together a proper gem refining operation down in that part o' t'e mine itself, t'at would be best. 'Owever we can nae be using explosives anywhere near t'at deposit, nor heavy equipment like rockcracker drills or the like. So we gots ta set the facilities up topside and get the gems topside fer processin'."
Myrin took another drag on his pipe, examining the three sets of plans more thoroughly. "Ahh so I see the differences are in the amount of lifts, tunnel length and how many active work areas they pass through. I assume, as you haven't marked any of them in any way, you don't as of yet have a plan you favor?"
"T'at be 'bout the gist o' it. In part 'cause we can't survey the areas close to the deposit safely. There be....a complication ye see. That's why we havin' this meetin'. I was gonna put a contract in wit' the Sickles, 'owever given I knew ye were visiting in but a few weeks, I figured I'd sit on it an' see 'ow many mercenaries ye hired. We'd only need three or four o' 'em." Bovik responded, pouring another bit of the rye for himself, about half a glass. Downing most of it in a gulp, he wiped his face, letting out a small blech before answering Myrin's quizzical look. "Embizaers, three or four o' t'e damned things. One o' 'em got one o' me surveryers I went down there with initially. He's alright!" Bovik promised, arms up and palms out in a calming gesture seeing Myrin ready to interject. "He'll be right as rain in a week or so, been out for two weeks, we payin' his kin, takin' care o' his hospice bills and treatment as agreed when ye entered this partnership. Should be back on his feet with nae crutch next week and back ta work 'bout then ta. One o' t'e damned things got uppity about us being on one o' t'e ledges examining the face and came sprintin' out of its crevasse or cave on the banks o' t'e magma pond spittin mad and got old Garuf in the britches and lower back. Burned up 'is left leg pretty good lemme tell ya."
Myrin let it go, trusting his old friend and business partner at his word. "Alright then," the halfman replied, reaching for the rye himself, pouring another half glass, needing a bit more to calm the nerves. Taking a long sip he let it roll down the throat, thinking over the whole situation. "Alright, here is what I think is best. We can't take any of these plans without proper surveying data of the chamber and the parts of each run closest to the chamber where the deposit is. I'll talk with the mercenaries I hired, see if they would be willing to take on a bit of extra pest removal for some coin to weigh down their pockets. I don't know this bunch well enough yet to know if they'll insist I cut the guild in, or if they'd be willing to take the money and job all quiet like, between us. I know what their day rate as a team is, but I also know targeted hunts and beast removal operates under a different price point. I'll offer them six hundred gold for the task as a starter, you think?"
Bovik thought about it for a moment, then nodded his agreement. "Sagely thinkin' Myrin. I set a rough estimate budget o' 'bout a thousand fer removal o' t'e beasts, so comin' in at six hundred lets ye 'ave a bit o' wiggle room fer guild if they insistent, an' ta barter up if they push ya. So after that?"
"After that is all said and done, I'll keep paying them their day rate for another few days, its well worth it, I'll stay another three days, assuming I can convince them to take care of this on the morrow. Once they take care of it and return to inform us its safe, if we have the time tomorrow we go down there and start surveying, running numbers and calculations and figure out which of these three plans makes the most sense. If it takes a couple days it takes a couple days, it'll be worth the few hundred gold extra I'll be paying out to make sure we do this right."
Bovik slapped the table between them, the his coal black beard cracking to reveal his yellowed teeth as he smiled wide. "Ach, an' that's what we wants ta 'ear, a plan o' action. Well let's 'op ta it then Myrin me lad. Off ye get, I gots a mine ta run an' you got some mercenaries ta talk to!"
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Domo took a seat at the table, thankful the four mercenaries were already present and well seated. One of them had taken the courtesy of ordering him a goblet and bottle of a fine Chorathian Red, a deep wine with notes of cherry to go with its heavy marshvine grapes, a fine bearing for the still sizzling antelope steaks and the bubbling barley and onion stew that was being served to the table. Domo poured himself a goblet, sipping the wine, letting its heady notes of grape and cherry, refreshing, sweet, and tart, dance along his tongue. "Refreshing and wonderful, a delicious vintage, to go with a fine meal." the halfman commented, eyeing the mercenary band.
They looked refreshed and revitalized, particularly Vondiras and Belle, whom, Myrin did not doubt, were greatly enjoying this unique treatment. Their marks of servitude were still very visible and they were getting noticeable stares. They had to hide their ale in water skins, a detail that Myrin had no doubt Coris and Beliana had already seen too. After all, such a fine meal should not be enjoyed with mere water or Leshe juice but with something more befitting. Myrin grinned here, as he watched them all, noting the wolf under the table with a platter all its own, absently offering her a scratch as she nuzzled his knee. "It is good to see you all looking refreshed and rested. I take it my writs have aided the pair of you. Coris, Belle how are the pair of you recovering? How's the old boulder dwarf-friend, and Belle I see a distinct lack of stitches or any bulky bandages, so it would seem you are healing well?"
Coris chuckled, rapping his knuckles against his head "Right as rain, ye nae need ta worry 'bout t'at. Dwarven skull nae ye know, nae tougher material in all the realms!"
Beliana smirked and couldn't resist, "Oh aye, tis true, tough as stone and twice as stubborn they be." she said with a light playful tone, leaning in and kissing her husband before he could retort. Myrin allowed himself a laugh, enjoying the antics of the couple, turning to Belle.
"Right as rain, Masser Domo, stitches be coming out soon enough but I've no need for bandages, none of my wounds were as bad as they might have looked. Its my size, to the rest of you it can look like I've lost a lot of blood, but in reality it isn't really all that much by comparison of my heritage."
"Good I'm glad to hear you all feeling rested and capable enough." Myrin replied, "As we have arrived at an opportunity of sorts I would wish to discuss. As I'm sure you've all noticed, we have been in Tyril for going on three days now. If you'll recall, I did mention if we were to be here longer than two days, there might very well be opportunity for additional earnings for you four in particular." Myrin danced carefully here, knowing the Sickles were a unique type of mercenary, and often members were actually extremely loyal to the guild and its tenants. "It is a small matter, one I am not entirely sure necessitates being fully official guild business, given you have, from my understanding, some leeway in what you consider appropriate tasks for day rate in the guild when on a contract such as this one. you've all been being paid for these days of rest and will continue to do so as we will be here for another three days before we begin our journey back to Kalesh."
Beliana held up her hand at that moment, and given how the group, even her husband gave their full attention to her near immediately, Myrin realized quite swiftly whom the group looked to in matters of diplomacy and business, which was not surprising to him. Having spent a week with the four of them, Beliana very much seemed the groups defacto personal leader and voice as it were, with Coris providing a bit of snarl whenever his wife would desire it, seeming able to read her. Coris was their savvy veteran, advising, watching over the band with his blunt mouthed attitude and decades of experience. Vondiras and Silvius were their eyes and ears, and Belle was their titan, their rally around in combat, seeming to raise spirits and empower her companions by her deeds. Myrin had observed much of these four in the week of travel and in the battle with the gnolls. They were a group with chemistry, capable and skilled, with deep respect for each others abilities and their own limitations, as this again showed him.
Myrin turned to fully face Beliana, respectfully giving the priestess his full and undivided attention, as one should in such discussions. "Whilst this is true," she began, "I would make clear that the guild is more than an employer to us. The Sickles watch after their own, and we all take care of the guild, because the guild takes care of us. Its a symbiotic relationship, and I would not jeopardize our place in it. So what exactly did you find out at that business meeting of yours, lay your cards out on the table clearly Masser Domo, and we shall inform you how we would demand to proceed, so that you can make an informed decision about what you wish to do."
Myrin took another sip of his wine, after finishing the last bite of his steak, letting the flavors dance and play upon his tongue and lips for a small time. With a thin lipped grin, he dapped his face clean with a small bit of cloth he carried, and leaned back, packing his pipe. "Very well. Let us cut to it then. My meeting with Bovik earlier today was enlightening and presented some unique opportunities, though these have also come with unique challenges. Now before I explain, I will insist upon one thing, nothing to compromise your professional integrity, however there is a reason I rented one of Sierra's private tables in the back for this evening, at notable expense. I've two of my men stationed outside these doors to keep any prying ears away, and I even hired a magister I know in the city to keep eyes and ears on this room for any sort of spying magicks. They are having a drink out by the bar, they need not be in the room to do their job. What we are about to discuss it is imperative economically and for business stability reasons that it remains under wraps. You will be expected to keep this information to yourselves. Barring of course any paperwork you may need to fill out with the guild when we return to Kalesh in a little over a week, by then it will not matter. It is only secretive and sensitive information in the coming days."
Beliana raised an eyebrow here, curious as to what this might be about. She wasn't a business person but was savvy enough to loosely understand the implications of Myrin's words. Something besides copper had been discovered at the mine, very clearly. She glanced to her companions, and seeing no disagreement from any of them, she nodded curtly. "Alright, Masser Domo, our lips are sealed. Now lets have it, what did they find in your mine." she asked him with a small smirk, showing she could read him.
Myrin lit his pipe, taking a deep pull. Exhaling he returned the expression with a respectful one, nodding to her. "Sharp as a tack, you are correct. Allow me to explain the details of the situation."
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"So that is the long and short of it, there are three to four of Embizaers down there and we need them run off, killed, whatever is effective, efficient and gets them away from the magma pond so that we can begin surveying, mapping out, and setting into motion the means and infrastructure to mine out this Ruby deposit." Myrin finished, almost three quarters of an hour later.
Beliana leaned back, considering all Domo had told them. She glanced first at Vondiras, whom shrugged, shaking his head, clearly indicating he was unfamiliar with the creatures mentioned. Unsurprising, they were subterranean creatures, not really the elf's specialty. Beliana turned to her husband and in dwarven asked him. "What of you my love, any knowledge you might happen to have from your youth and living amongst your people in regards to what these creatures are, what to expect?"
"Aye a wee bit. They be common 'round any magma pools, lava flows or ot'erwise in t'e Depths o' t'e World. They the same type o' dangerous ye'd expect a water buffalo ta be. Ornery, tempermental, nae like sharing space wit' anythin' nae o' their own kind. Bout the size o' a large pony, six legs, beetle like shell an' a lizard like head. Nae tail, nor claws, their feet and legs be thick, stout wit' paddin' an' a heat resistant fluid, gelatin like in 'em ta allow 'em ta walk over red 'ot stones. They can leap an' glide short distances, their armored back openin' up ta reveal a glowin' orange body underneath, t'e actin' like glider wings, though nary efficent. They can spit a sort o' 'ot caustic spittle, somethin' they produce as a byproduct o' their diet, so if their lower jaw be lightin' up orange, ye should get behind somethin' an' get away from em. However they make good eatin' in a pinch, an asides from obviously seemin' ta be heavily fire resistant, they 'ave nae other qualities ta worry about. Some teeth, can bite pretty 'ard, but ye hit em hard 'nough t'ey die like anythin' else."
Coris shrugged, as he took another deep swig of ale, wiping his beard and belching, knowing his wife was waiting for him to voice an opinion on the quandry of whether this should charge extra, or willingly accept that the day rate, since Domo had made clear he was paying them even for sitting around the last three days and would continue to do so for tomorrow and the three days after that before they would be leaving as well as the journey home. He thought about it and what he knew of the creatures, before shrugging. "I nary see any issue me love. The guild be gettin' its cut o' day rate, an' this nary t'at large a request, it nae be like he's asking us ta protect the mine, or run off some damned rock goblin tribe or some such. I think we can do it as t'e contract stands, I nary see it as a violation o' guild policy. He nae wrong, we more or less 'ave full discretion when out on a contract, such be the structure o' t'e guild. Should somethin' drastic happen down there, I nary expect t'is is a big 'nough requisition t'at t'e guild would see it as operatin' outside contract an' demand any extra coin or cut."
Beliana nodded, and turned to her other two companions, conversing with them similarly in elven and joten respectfully, which Myrin watched, impressed. He spoke dwarven of course, but out of respect he had not said a thing, understanding this was how these four basically would hold sidebars, expecting the veil of privacy to be maintained by virtue of politeness. Once she'd finished, Beliana leaned forward, and offered a hand with that sort of dancing solar light in her eyes that Myrin admired, an adventurous spirit. "Well we've discussed it Masser Domo, and we've made the decision, and at our discretion, the contract can cover this service as its stands as part of day rate, it seems not to large or unwieldy of a request requiring a separate agreement."
Myrin sat up straight quickly, reaching for her hand, having to stretch his halfling arm to get it, and shook it vigorously. "Excellent!" he proclaimed, quite pleased he'd avoided any additional fees, that extra few hundred gold would be very helpful to getting the surveying and infrastructure plans in motion. "In that case, let us finish our drinks and enjoy that delicious leshe and mango pie I smell approaching, and then get some rest. Just after dawn, to allow you time with your morning rituals of course," he stated, tipping his head to Beliana in deference, "We'll head out to the Copper Pit, and get you introduced to Bovik and he'll get you a guide, some maps of the mine's tunnels and a guide to get you down near the deposit so you can go about your business."
