[Mkguild] Warmth in Darkness Part 3

[Stealth]

Damn, still to big.


"What are you looking for?" Stealth asked as he stood near by, trying to see
in past Edmund.



            The paladin shrugged. "Anything that might tell me what happened
that night. Records. wreckage, bodies."



            Inside Stealth saw lots of bushes and small trees but amidst
those he recognized a stone table resting on what once might have been a
mosaic floor.

* *

*            *"What was this place?" The cheetah asked as he tried to make
out the depiction of the mosaic.

* *

            Edmund nodded as he peered into a dark niche that might once
have been a doorway. "Can't tell exactly but this might have once been
someone's home." He shook his head at the sight. "Sad to think that a place
once filled with warmth and laughing children is now just a tumble of weeds
and stones."



            Stealth nods, "That is the fate of everything, eventually." He
explained, "Nothing lasts forever, everything comes to pass, even cities yet
to be built will fall into abandonment."



            The paladin nodded. "The only constant is change."



            After scanning what they could of the ancient home, the two
moved further through the ruins in a random direction. Almost the entire
area had been returned to its natural state save the piles of stone and
brick peaking out from the foliage. For the most part it took a careful eye
to spot most of the remains.



            Edmund stopped suddenly and stuck out his hand to stop Stealth
too. "Stop!" He ordered.



            Stealth immediately froze in place and became fully attentive.



            The paladin pointed down to the ground. At first Stealth didn't
see anything but then he noticed a dark hole almost completely covered by
the brush. "Someone's Cellar." Edmund explained.



            Stealth gazed into the hole, trying to see an end to it. "How
far does it extend? Are we on solid ground?" The cheetah wondered at how
solid the ground underneath them was. He could have sworn it was hard,
packed earth!



            He shrugged. "No telling. It could lead to a simple cellar or
some deep sewer."



            The younger feline crouched low to the ground and tried to take
a whiff into the dark cellar.



            Edmund took a small stone from his pocket and whispered a word
to low for Stealth to hear. The rock started to glow with a bright light.
"Let me look inside!"



            "Okay, it 'smell's' normal." The cat made room for the knight.



            Edmund peered down into the hole moving the light around and
tossing shadows all about. "Looks interesting. There is a set of stairs here
we can use."



            "You want to go down?" Stealth asked in a mix of nervousness,
curiosity and apathy.



            "Sure!" Edmund says. He puts the stone in a pocket and starts to
move some stone blocks out of the way revealing a stairway downward.



            Stealth helped him move the blocks out of the way and tried to
recall the fleeting memory of what he'd seen of the room. Edmund took out
the glowing stone and stepped carefully down into the cellar. He moved
slowly and looked around.



            Around him were tumbled down debris that might have been
furniture and other items. "Lots of interesting things down here. Come on
down Stealth!"



            Stealth followed down slowly, looking carefully at his steps.
The stairway's steps were narrow and clustered with rubble and he had
slightly more difficulty clearing them than the paladin had with his
digitgrade feet.



            Edmund let out a sudden shout and drew his sword instantly as he
stepped backward bumping into Stealth. "Watch out!"



            "I'm over as far as I can go." Stealth answered in annoyance
before he looked up from the steps and jumped back himself with a rumbling
hiss emanating from his throat.



            Edmund pointed his blade at the armoured figure that loomed out
of the darkness in the far corner. "Halt! Who goes there?" He orders but the
figure remains silent.



            As the moments passed Stealth began to relax, "I still smell
nothing..." He whispered.



            Edmund holds his stance for a moment then leans forward and
touches the figure on the chest with the point of his sword. Still the
figure does not move. He relaxes, "Go easy Stealth. It's some sort of
statue."



            "Understood." He answered with an embarrassed grin though
reminded himself that Edmund too had been startled. As the cat's eyes
adjusted he could make out the suit of armour on the statue. It looked to be
made of gold and silver trim. Tarnished from its time in disrepair.



            The paladin steps forward to get a closer look at the figure.
"This is a wooden figure but the armour it has on is real. Also looks like a
few weapons as well. This must be some soldier's cellar or private
storehouse."



            Stealth quickly walked over to Edmund and saw the military
objects. They were covered in caked on dirt and dust, "...Is it safe to
touch?"



            The paladin nods. "I see nothing that can harm us at least no
traps or magic wards."



            The courier smiled faintly and moved about the small space. He
saw many objects telling of a life lived long ago; he could see clay pots
and bottles in one corner though they were smashed and sprawled on the
floor. It appeared they'd once been placed properly on a sturdy shelf that
had long since given way to the affects of time. In another part of the
cellar, Stealth could make out some tatters of cloth and leather, crumpled
beyond repair and use.



            Finally his eyes brought him back to the armour and basic
weaponry. Upon closer inspection Stealth could detect small alcoves amid the
remains, between the shelves and benches. His attention drew to one niche
near the armour that had so spooked the cats before. Deep in the recess he
could faintly see something glinting. A sword, it must be a sword, a
beautiful one at that.**

*
*            "Ed, Can you see that?" The cat pointed a claw to the hilt in
the deep groove.



            Edmund followed the claw and peered in, "AH! That looks like a
fine weapon. Why not take a closer look at it? Pick it up!"



            "But you told me to search with my eyes and ears." Stealth
reminded with a grimace.



            "You can make an exception here. I do not think the shadow would
mind us examining things." Edmund assured as he waited expectantly.



            Timidly, the lithe feline reached his arm down and strained
before giving up. He adjusted his posture and strained again but he remained
just-out-of-reach...



            "Would you please just pick it up?!" Edmund ordered and pushed
Stealth's hand towards the weapon. "It will not hurt you."



            "Damn it! I can't reach it!" He looked over to the Knight,
"Here, try to keep me steady."



            Edmund wraps his arms around his friend's waist as Stealth leans
further down. "Can you reach it now?"



            Stealth reached down further then before and still the muscles
in his arm ached with the strain. "I... I got it!" He said in triumph though
he could barely shift about let alone right himself, "Pull me up! It's
really light..."



            The paladin pulls his friend backward and upright. "Let's get a
good look at this weapon."



            Both the cheetahs landed upright again. They were covered in
dust but Stealth's front was absolutely blanketed in the fine powder. In his
paw he held a dagger...



            "A very nice looking weapon indeed!" Edmund says as they look
the weapon over.



            Stealth looked at the weapon with a blank expression, it wasn't
a dagger; it was SMALLER than a dagger!



            "But Ed it's..." He looked up to speak but then turned away in
an instant, in that instant Edmund was able to see his face contort in an
odd but familiar manner. "TEW! TEW! TEW! ...TEW!"



            After the spell of feline sneezing, Stealth forced his muzzle
shut from the volume of air forcing itself through. His throat and nose
ached from the strain. It itched and burned and the feeling threatened to
trigger another painful bout of the allergy.



            "You all right?" Edmund asked the cat who now clenched his
muzzle with both paws, "The dust and dirt are getting to you. Let's get you
back outside."



            Stealth nodded quickly while rubbing his nose from the blanket
of dust that covered him. His sinuses were large, being that of a cat that
needed to take in a large quantity of air to run fast. And he could feel it
welling up with volumes of irksome fluid.



            "Get upstairs and give yourself a good shake." Edmund ordered
again, "That will remove most of that dust."



            With the dagger still in hand, Stealth scampered up the stairs
till he leaned on the grass above. He placed the weapon on the ground and
shook his leather armour free from centuries of piled up dust. For the
moment he paid no heed to Edmund's musings of the dagger.



            "Looks like a fine little weapon." He ran his finger along the
blade lightly. "There is magic in this little blade.  Why not keep it for
your own?"



            "What? What about the shadow and the ghosts?" Stealth asked not
really believing his friend's words. He'd finally overcome the dust from
reaching in to that crevice and cleared his sinus of its affects...



            "No worry. The shadow fox understands and there are no ghosts
here. The shadow gives me more leeway with such things. Besides I think that
blade was destined to be yours. After all you found this place." Edmund
said, switching his gaze between Stealth and the dagger.



            "You found it, I almost fell in it." He corrected.



            "Maybe it found you?" Edmund commented cryptically. "That you
were destined to find it."



            "If that's true then I guess we'll find out in time." Stealth
regarded the dagger. He slowly lifted the weapon off the ground and soon
placed it safely on his belt.



            Edmund nods. "All good things come with time. When we are back
at the keep we can examine your new dagger more closely."



            "It's not my dagger." Stealth reminded, "More likely I'm just
looking after it."



            Edmund gives a chirp of laughter. "I am sure you will be allowed
to use it. I do think the blade was meant for you!"



            The cheetah smiled, "We'll see."



            "Know you are starting to sound like my old tutor with all his
cryptic answers." The knight complained in jest.



            "Yeah, I get it from you." Stealth joked, "And now I know where
you got it from!"



            "Old Sedgewick would be proud." Edmund said as he recalled,
either with a bit of fondness or enmity Stealth couldn't tell. "I was a
difficult child when I was small. I just never settled down."



            "Me either. But you have accomplished quite a bit." The cat
still sat on his knees and wondered at the hilt of the small weapon at his
side.



            "I never expected to become a teacher when I was a child. Then I
never expected to be a paladin either." He sees that Stealth has his eyes on
the dagger. "That dagger still has your imagination?"



            "I just got it." Stealth answered deadpan though suddenly
realising that it did hold his interest. However it made him feel grateful
that no natural feline apathy had kicked in yet. Stealth removed the dagger
from his belt again to get another look, "Parts of the hilt look to be gold
but it feels light..."



            "Light? May I hold it?" Edmund asks.



            Stealth handed the weapon to Edmund hilt first, noting the
colours that lined it, it was a mix of gold and black. Not like the pattern
of their fur but more like a marble pattern.



            The paladin hefts the weapon carefully. "A finely made weapon.
Well balanced. This is no mere decorative toy. This was meant to be used."



            He hands the weapon back to Stealth. "You have a really fine
little weapon there. Take care of it and it will take care of you."



            Stealth took back the dagger, "Of course, I told you I'll look
after it." He said and placed it back at his side.



            "I know its old owner will be proud of how you handle her."
Edmund mused.



            The cat nodded, "One of the ghosts?"



            Edmund shrugged. "I hope not but there is no telling."



            Stealth finally rose to his feet. "Should we move on?"



            Edmund stands up. "Good idea. We have a long way to go. But from
now on move carefully and watch for any other holes."



            "What if I don't see them?" The cat asked as he scanned every
small spec of dirt.



            "Use your paws," He said. "When you step do so carefully. When
you start to put weight on it if it gives or shifts step back."



            "I'll try" Stealth answered, already applying the Paladin's
advice.



            "Use your best judgement," He said. "No need to push yourself
exploring everywhere."



            The cheetah nodded and carefully progressed through the brush
and overgrowth. He approached the nearest structure and scanned it for
anything out of place. After a moment the cat lit up in wonder.



            "Edmund I found something. There's writing on this wall."
Stealth called out. The cheetah was standing next to a vine covered wall of
weathered brick.



            The paladin rushed over to his friend and looked at the wall.
There he found writing carefully scratched into the bricks. He examined it
carefully.



            "What does it say?" Stealth asked.



            The paladin looked at it for a moment then his ears drooped in
embarrassment.



            "What?" Stealth asks curious.



            "Well. It's from a fellow known as Valarious who is bragging how
a certain body part of his is enormous." He informed with guarded unease.



            Stealth couldn't help but giggle at Edmund's discomfort. "I take
it this wall was once part of a public rest room..."



            "Ah," The Paladin stammered. "Well. People did rest. Sort of.
Well. You see. It was a place where men and women . . ."



            "It's a brothel." Stealth stated bluntly.



            Edmund put both hands on top of his head. "YES! A thousand
buildings in these woods to investigate and I pick a brothel."



            "Go easy, Edmund, this may be the ruins of a little industrial
town, so every second building is probably a whore house..." Stealth buried
his muzzle in his paws to muffle some more laughter.



            Edmund shook his head trying to hide his discomfort. "What can I
say? Sex is always popular."



            "That it is, anyway, is there anything else we should check
here?" The younger one kindly changed the subject.



            "There is nothing much here," Edmund says. "Nothing that
interests me or the ghosts. Let's go. We need to do a few more miles before
we make camp for the night."



---------------------------**

* *

            Rubble jutted out in places along their journey, but only rarely
and then just the remains of a marker or a retaining wall. However the path
they travelled, though at first appearing as an open track, turned out on
closer inspection to be one of the remaining imperial roads.



            "This path looks like it's been built quite well." Stealth said
as he looked about, "These Seuilman structures are still standing firm in
large spots." The cheetah observed.



            Edmund nodded his head. "I've know of this road for while as
well as the others and I am still finding new ones. Many such roads
crisscross the forest."



            "The path is overgrown in many places, but I'll bet under the
foliage it's still in good shape." He continued to scan the ground. If only
they still made roads of this quality, the cat thought.



            "I use them all the time during my trips into these woods,"
Edmund explained. "Also the largest ruins are along such roads. Makes
finding them easier."



            "That's good; I wouldn't want to get lost in this place."
Stealth noted, "It's good these roads have stood the test of time."



            "Very good," the paladin commented. "Even in the shape they are
in now the roads still make travel far easier."



            The two were moving slowly along the road when the road split
into two. Off to the left the road led into the mouth of a small tunnel.



            "Should we check that out?" Stealth motioned to a semi-decline
and the dark cavity beyond.



            "All right. It looks to be leading somewhere interesting."
Edmund answers. The two slowly make their way to the tunnel mouth and
dismounted to peer inside.



            "It won't collapse you suppose?" Stealth asked, not wishing to
end up a permanent resident under the earth.



            He peers at the roof and pats the walls with his hands. "Looks
like solid stone. It should be safe."



            Stealth absently moved his steed back a pace and made no sign
that he intended to enter.



            "What's wrong?" Edmund asked. "If you want I'll go in first."



            "Ugh, I'm sorry." Stealth felt a flush of embarrassment.



            He pats the feline on the shoulder. "That's all right." And with
that he slowly steps into the tunnel. The cold clammy air of the tunnel
makes them shiver. The stone underneath is moist and covered with dirt and
moss. Daylight shone thinly along the tunnels length from the far end.



            "Heh, think we'll make it out to the end?" The courier asked
though his confidence started to grow.



            Edmund laughed nervously. "Why wouldn't we? You think some nasty
thing will eat us?"



            "Yeah, the tunnel itself." The cat joked as he looked around. He
felt unsettled at being in a dark place when daylight shone beyond the
confines.



            "The walls look solid enough and I don't see any loose stones in
spite of their age. I think there is some magic laced into it keeping it
intact." He reassured as he looked about the ceiling though it was mostly
dim.



            The two slowly walk thru the tunnel the walls closing in on them
as the ceiling presses downward. They have to hold their horses tightly by
their harness and lead them along. Thankfully the equines seem nervous but
still calm enough to handle. They tried to avert their gaze from the light
at the end and instead look to the walls, adjusting their vision.



            Edmund notices small niches cut into the walls. The paladin
stops suddenly. "Oh Great Maker!" Edmund said suddenly. "This isn't a
tunnel. It's a tomb!"



            Stealth gasped and faltered in his steps.



            Edmund grabs Stealth by the shoulder. "Now is not the time to
stop. Keep on going. The dead here are at peace. They were dead long before
the city was destroyed."



            "Oh." He said simply and continued moving forward. NOW Stealth
could make out what he thought must be tombs.



            Edmund keeps a hand on his friend's shoulder as the two make
their way thru the stone lined tomb. "This place was old even when the city
was over run."



            Stealth patted the hand and gently brushed it away, "Don't worry
about me, it's not that bad down here."



            "All right." The paladin stopped at one niche and read an
inscription that had been painted over it. "This seems to have been a family
crypt."



            "You mean this whole tomb is for one family?" The younger cat
could make out the inscription but had no clue to its meaning.



            "Yes. Each niche holds one family member." He points to a
collection of bones and clothe rages in the niche. "This particular person
was an important nobleman named Cladius Artrix. It says he had the crypt
made at his own expense."



            "I wonder who he was, where his fortune came from..." Stealth
regarded the bones and noted traces of jewellery.



            "Probably someone important and powerful. It says he was a
member of the senate." He looked at the mouldering bones. "No matter how
powerful a person is Emperor or farmer - everyone ends up the same way."



            "I bet they had a pampered life though, this crypt speaks of
it." He noted.



            He nods in agreement. "Nobles were well fed and well cared for.
They wanted for nothing."



            "And others died to build this place." The cheetah brushed his
fingers over the inscription.



            "Probably. The life of a slave tended to be short and nasty."
Edmund commented. "The slaves certainly were not buried here."



            Stealth turned from the niche and led Terrant's horse further up
the passage. He spared an imploring glance back to Edmund to do the same.



            Edmund followed after not wanting to waste any more time among
the long dead. They seemed to travel far through the crypt though it almost
felt like they weren't moving at all. The light at the end didn't wain but
neither did it grow.



            Stealth knew it to be his imagination or so he told himself.
They hadn't traversed through the tomb that long but it felt like a long
time. While the courier focused on the end as well as the condition of the
tunnel ahead, Edmund spared more thought toward the niches and inscriptions.
He then stopped. On the left hand side was a doorway with steps leading down
into darkness.



            Stealth gazed at the door then leaned toward the opening and
sniffed at the air. He turned to Edmund.



            "You want to see what's down there?" The paladin asks. "Looks
interesting."



            "Hey... I didn't necessarily say that." Stealth answered.
Feeling uneasy he rubbed his wrist absently.



            "You didn't say no either." Edmund countered. "We're here to
explore and discover. What better way to do it then by going down into a
dungeon?"
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