The Find 25.

Autumn.

In the evening. In the giant hole in the ground. Within which is the City of Ruins.
"Haven't seen this person around lately have you?" asks Lisell Maera the scout, as she angles the piece of a parchment so the stall holder can see it by the nearby fire bucket.
"Not lately" replies the stall holder, who is also as busy during the evening, than he is during the day.
"Say, a week, a week and a half ago maybe" says the stall holder who continues with "Was the last time i saw them".
The attractive young woman from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury nods her head, then says "Thanks for that".
Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by the others in the group, rolls up the piece of parchment and tucks it into an inner pocket of her clock.
Then the scout in the armies of Farque moves off, heading through the night market, to where she sees Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy heading her way.
The market is inside one of the ruins, one of the larger, empty shell of a buildings, to be found here in the so called neutral zone of the City of Ruins.
The night market, which isn't all that far from the large, free standing magical portal.
Is teeming with people this evening, even though it's a fairly cold night, after what was a sunny, but cool autumn day here in the ancient city of Dalphene, or as it's more commonly called, the City of Ruins.
"Anything?" quietly asks the scout Maera as they stand off to one side behind some of the stalls in the busy market.
"Nothing for a week, or week and a half" is the quiet reply of Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy.
Nodding her head in agreement with the spy originally from the elven principality of Alínlae.
The scout Maera who is speaking elven like the spy Tanith, quietly says "Same here".
The attractive young woman whose mother was a prostitute on the streets of the poorer sections of Brattonbury.
And whose father, a man she never knew or for that matter, met. Was a sailor who plied his trade upon the Great Western Ocean.
Nods away to their right through an aisle of the stalls, and quietly says "There's Beldane" followed by "Bet he found the same thing out".
That is indeed what the fighting cleric from the kingdom of Nastell found out.
For when he joins the two of them, he tells them that the one they are searching for.
Was last in the night market about a week and half ago, is what the people he spoke to about it told him.
"Well, they're obviously not here now" says Beldane the cleric as he looks around.
"We should probably get going" continues the powerful spellcaster from the kingdom of Nastell who then adds "At least we know they frequent this place quite often".
Both Lisell Maera and Dalinvardèl Tanith nod in agreement with that. Then the three of them make their way from the busy night market.
Spotting Shur Kee the monk across an ancient pathway from the market which is in a number of buildings, that are just shells of what they once were.
We they join the short, statured monk. They find out that he didn't discover anything more than they did.
The four of them then head off in search of the rest of the group. Who are checking out a couple of locations here in the neutral zone in the giant hole in the ground.
Where those in Maygam's mercenary company, are known to frequent. When they're here in the so called neutral zone of the ancient city of Dalphene. Or as it's more commonly called, the City of Ruins.
Glancing over at his lover Saanea the witch, who nods her head yes.
Tamric Drubine the field commander says "Thanks for that".
"No worries" says the trader, who is still a little disappointed that the young field commander had nothing to sell.
The young noble from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, nods to the trader.
Then he and the witch from the Maldin Hills make their way out of the ruins where the trader has set up shop.
Outside, as people hurry by, Saanea the witch quietly says "At least we know they were here recently".
Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by the others in the group, nods his head, then says "Just over a week ago".
The young field commander in the armies of Farque briefly pauses before adding "At least that's something i guess".
Then Tam nods away to their right, and says "There's Tovis" followed by "Wonder if he found anything out".
The war engineer from the kingdom of Druvic makes his way to where the young couple are standing.
And he informs them that the merchant he spoke to, also saw the person they're searching for, about a week and a half ago.
"Was a guard he says" is what Tovis the war engineer says to Tam and the witch Saanea.
"Which stands to reason as they're a fairly new hire in that company" continues the young engineer who is the commander in the engineering corp in the armies of Farque.
Both Tamric Drubine and Saanea the witch nod their heads in agreement with the Druvician war engineer.
Then the son of a former Knight of Castle Drubine, a castle and it's surrounding lands that can be found in the forested north of the kingdom of Sarcrin.
Quietly says to the other two "That's about all we can do tonight" followed by "We can find some of those other places in the morning".
Tam who is a senior officer in the armies of Farque then says "Let's head back and meet up with the others".
The three of then move away, making their way through the neutral zone, to join up with the rest of the group.
They've taking over one of the many ruins in this part of the so called neutral zone of the City of Ruins.
One of the smaller buildings, relatively intact. Located in the area between the pyramid, and the free standing portal.
Which by far, are the most well know, not to mention most recognisable structures in all of the ancient city of Dalphene, which is more commonly called the City of Ruins.
They took over the building fairly easily early in the evening, when lord Farque sent in Dorc da Orc to run off those who were living in it.
The small band of adventures who were living, and were based out of it. Fled in a hurry when the large ork came stomping in, threatening to kill and eat them all.
Now the ork warleader is chowing down on some skewered meat he got from one of the nearby night markets.
One of many such markets dotted across the neutral zone, here in the middle of the pit.
Dorc da Orc who is standing at one of the two doorways in the building, steps aside so that Lisell Maera the scout, Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy, Beldane the cleric, and Shur Kee the monk can enter.
A short time later, and Tamric Drubine the field commander, Saanea the witch and Tovis the war engineer make their way into the relatively intact ancient ruins.
The ork weaponsmith grunts as he's finished all the skewered meat. And he heads inside to join the others when Helbe the elven thief walks in.
Casting a number of spells on the open doorway, and the ancient building itself.
One of many in the area between the massive pyramid, and the giant free standing portal.
Where mercenaries and adventurers of various companies and bands, are spending the night.
Sitting in a room that more or less, has four walls, though one is missing at least half of it.
Lord Farque nods as he listens to what some of the group have found out this night.
"Well they definitely go to some of those places" says Helbe the elven thief as he sits down next to the undead warlord.
"And they were last at those places just over a week ago" continues the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel.
The highly talented elven magic user briefly pauses before adding "That would seem to suggest they're no longer here in the neutral zone, and they went north with the bulk of Maygam's company".
Switching to the royal elven language, Helbe the elven thief says "I've sent Narladene north to see what she can find out".
"I know" says lord Farque in the same language, who then shakes his full helmed head, then says "No, we'll check out these other places here first".
In response to the elven masterthief asking him "Should i go up north too?".
Switching back to the common language, the lord and ruler of the lands Farque says to the group "We'll get an early start in the morning" followed by "Going to those other places that they're known to frequent while here in the neutral zone".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord then says "The more information we know, the better".
As he, and the rest of the group know, that finding someone they've been searching for, isn't as easy as one would think.
Not to mention there will likely be complications when and if they find the person they're searching for.
The person that Helbe the elven thief's power of foresight says will be the next member of the group.
As some of the others go into the other room where there's just half a wall is connected to this one.
Lord Farque remains with members of his personal council as the others get something to eat.
From the cook fire that Jarjin Littlefoot was cooking at while they were out checking on a couple of places here in the neutral zone.
Sitting on his bed roll, Mira Reinholt the mage quietly says "Think they'll be here?".
Looking at his fellow councilors the mage Reinholt, and the elven master assassin, then at lord Farque.
Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit says "I'm doubting it" followed by "More likely to be up north with the rest of that company".
The once powerful mage slightly nods his hooded head, then says "Still, don't want them coming back tomorrow or the next day, and we go to the north end of the pit and miss them".
"That's a risk for sure" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who continues on with "It's why we'll keeping searching these places that the company goes to all the time".
Draugadrottin as he's also known by to the people of his lands, then tells his council members "The one we're after is known, at least by sight to some of those here in the neutral zone".
The human mage, the elven masterthief and the halfling former air sailor all nod in agreement with that.
Then the lord of the death realm says "Hopefully that's something we can take advantage of".
The undead warlord, who has the elven name of Des'tier, which means, The Destroyer.
Then quietly says "If not, and we have to search up at the northern end of the pit, we could be looking for fucking ages if we're not lucky".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord then adds "And in the middle of a three way battle too".
"That will be difficult, for sure" says Mira Reinholt the mage, his fellow councilors along with the undead being are in agreement with the spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil.
The four of them as they sit upon the floor, are silent as they think about the search of person they're looking for.
It's Draugadrottin who breaks the silence with "Like i said before to the others, we'll continue the search early in the morning".
The three councilors nod, then they get up, and make their way into the other room, and join the others in the group who are eating.
While lord Farque remains sitting there, waiting for the morning, and the search to resume . . . . . .

The Find 24.

Autumn.

Afternoon. In the giant hole in the ground. That's the city of Ruins.
"They're coming back" quietly says Saanea the witch after she opens her eyes, and looks at her lover Tamric Drubine the field commander.
The senior officer in the armies if Farque informs the others that lord Farque, Mira Reinholt the mage and Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit are coming back after their meeting with Helbe the elven thief.
The others either nod, or quietly say something in response. Except for Dorc da Orc, who is looking northwards and scowling as he does so.
They're in one of the ruins here in the so called neutral zone of the City of Ruins.
And like many of the ancient ruins, it's just a shell of a building. Nevertheless field commander Drubine thought it best to wait here.
And any of the people who have come by, have ignored them. Except for many who stare at Dorc da Orc, wondering what he exactly is.
As the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world is far too large to be a goblin.
And he's too short to be a troll. Not to mention he's too thickset to be any kind of troll.
The young noble originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, who has been left in charge of the group.
Looks at the large ork, who is continuing to scowl as he looks northwards across what looks like it was a giant plaza in the ancient city of Dalphene.
It's without doubt the most open area in the neutral zone, here in the middle of the pit, within which is the City of Ruins.
"Dorc is the lord and the others coming back?" asks Tamric Drubine the field commander.
The senior officer in the armies of Farque, who is just glad the ork warleader hasn't got into a loud argument with his bitter rival, sir Percavelle Lé Dic as they've waited.
Continues on with "Can you smell them heading back this way?".
The ork weaponsmith finally looks away from the massive plaza, or what's left of it.
And he looks at field commander Drubine, as he does the warleader of the ork race sniffs quickly and deeply.
"Yeah cunt" says Dorc da Orc, who after sniffing a few times more, adds "They comin' this fucken way".
Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's more commonly called by the others in the group, nods.
While the ork, who is a general in the armies of Farque. And actually a higher ranking officer than young Tam.
Goes back to staring at what was the largest plaza in the ancient city of Dalphene.
As he does, field commander Drubine wonders why the large ork is scowling at the place.
Then the young noble who is the son of a previous Knight of Castle Drubine, a castle and lands found in the forested north of the kingdom of Sarcrin.
Shrugs his shoulders, as the ork warleader tends to scowl at just about anything, and everything.
A short while later and lord Farque, along with Mira Reinholt and Jarjin Littlefoot make their way into the shell of a building, and join them.
"Let's get moving" says lord Farque, who continues with "We're going to meet someone".
"The one we're after?" asks field commander Drubine.
The undead warlord shakes his full helmed head no, then says "Someone who might know where they are".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord briefly pauses before adding "Or where they could be".
The others gather their gear, and move out, with the lord of the death realm telling Lisell Maera the scout and Dalinvardèl Tanith to head across the giant plaza, or what was a giant plaza here in the ancient city of Dalphene.
As they walk in the afternoon sunlight of the cool autumn day here in the pit.
Mira Reinholt the mage notices Dorc da Orc scowling, and says to the large ork "Look familiar Dorc?".
The weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks, grunts then says to the once powerful mage who is walking beside lord Farque, infront of him "Yeah cunt, kinda does".
The spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil, who also happens to be a highly skilled swordmaster gestures towards where they're going, and says "It's where you killed that ork".
The mage who is in exile from his homeland of Vexil, continues with "Trang or Trug, or something like that".
Dorc da Orc, or Dorkindle which is his given name, suddenly grins as he realises why this part of the City of Ruins is so familiar to him.
The big, burly ork from the frozen bottom of the world chortles, then says "Trung" followed by "From them bear tribe cunts".
The warleader of the ork race chortles some more before he adds "Fucked that cunt up good".
So good, the son of the previous matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks.
Chopped off Trung's head, and turned it into cooking pot. Which he still has in one of his sacks, nearly twenty years after he was last here in the City of Ruins.
"Good fucken fight that one" loudly murmurs the large ork as he looks to about a hundred and fifty yards away across the giant plaza.
That's broken and shattered in many places, with holes large and small dug across it in many places.
And an open culvert cutting through the middle of it from east to west. Where Dorkindle fought the ork Trung from the bear tribe, and killed him.
When he along with lord Farque, Mira Reinholt the mage, and Helbe the elven thief, were with the group as it was at that time. Just before Shur Kee the monk had joined the group. And about a year and a half before Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, who is now Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, joined the group at that time.
As the ork warleader continues to chuckle to himself as they cross what was an ancient plaza.
Tamric Drubine, who is walking beside Lisell Maera infront of lord Farque and Mira Reinholt.
Looks back at the undead warlord and the once powerful mage and asks "Anything happen?".
"Apart from a troll getting in his way" says the mage Reinholt with a nod of his hooded head at the undead warlord.
"And a tavern keeper accidentally poisoning himself" adds the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster.
"Which caused an all in brawl at the underground tavern we were in" continues the practitioner of magic who is in exile from his homeland of Vexil.
"Then no, nothing much happened" says the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
Until he was stripped of the majority of his vast amount of powers when he went offworld through a rift, void spell that he accidentally cast a number of years ago.
Field commander Drubine rolls his eyes, glad that he or any of the others didn't go along.
He now knows why the lord and ruler of the lands Farque left Dorc da Orc behind with him and the others.
A troll will set the large ork off, almost as badly as another ork, or even a dwarf.
The warleader of the ork race has a strong hate towards the troll race.
Tam doesn't know why. As it isn't like the ork hatred towards their natural enemies, the dwarf race.
It's something else entirely different. And over the more than decade he's known the big, burly ork from the southern polar region.
The young noble from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin has learnt that it's got to do with something involving one of Dorc's friends in his ork tribe.
That one without any legs, if i remember rightly, Tamric Drubine thinks to himself.
The senior officer in the armies of Farque then asks "Where's this person we're going to meet?".
Once again, it's the mage Reinholt who answers, and says "Not far from that portal". As he waves to where the free standing portal is in the distance.
After glancing at lord Farque next to him, the Vexilian mage in exile says "We'll be meeting Helbe there".
The lord of the death realm nods his full helmed head to that, indicating that will be so.
Then the undead warlord who has the name of Draugadrottin, that the people of his lands know him by, says "We should know the spots throughout the neutral zone that Maygam's company hang out once we've talked to this fellow".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord who like Mira Reinholt and Tamric Drubine, is speaking in elven then adds "Should make our search here in the neutral zone a hell of a lot quicker".
"If they're here or not" quietly says the Vexilian mage in exile, referring to the one they've traveled here to find.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque nods his full helmed head in agreement with that.
As the group continues to cross the remnants of the giant plaza. The largest open space in the neutral zone of the pit.
And pretty much the largest open area in the entire ancient city of Dalphene, or as it's more commonly called, the City of Ruins.
Once across the plaza, and back amongst the ruins. The lord and ruler of the lands Farque has Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy and Lisell Maera the scout.
Head towards where the massive free standing portal is. And though the ancient plaza didn't have many people on it.
Here, once more amongst the ruins there's people about. Many watching the group as they go by. And just about everyone staring at either lord Farque, or Dorc da Orc. Especially the big, burly ork from the frozen bottom of the world.
Going by a few people standing around a fire basket, the undead warlord has the group stop in an ancient ruin.
Which isn't a shell of building, nor is still in one piece. But something in between. Though it's still dilapidated to say the least.
"Tam with me" says the large, heavily armoured deathlord, who leads the young field commander back outside.
And across to the ancient ruins opposite the one the rest of the group are in.
"Got the maps?" quietly asks the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
"I do" is the quietly reply of the young noble originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin.
The undead being who has the elven name of Des'tier, which means, The Destroyer.
Leads Tam into a room, which has in it, steps going down underground. The two of them take the steps, and end up in a tunnel.
There's people living and working down in the tunnel. One of a series of them in this part of the City of Ruins.
People hop out of the way of the large, heavily armoured deathlord who doesn't slow his pace down for anyone.
Draugadrottin who as ever, is continuously sensing. Turns into a side tunnel off the main one that the steps came down into.
The undead warlord gets to about halfway along the lamp lit side tunnel, and knocks on a wooden door built into one side of the stone tunnel.
The door is opened by Helbe the elven thief, and the lord of the death realm ducks to enter, and he's followed by the young field commander in his armies.
"This is Parmid" says Helbe the elven thief, lord Farque nods his full helmed head after looking around the large room.
That's stuffed full of goods procured by the fence, a rather fat looking man, sitting behind a table near one of the walls in the underground room.
Stepping over ancient bowls and silver trays to get to the table, lord Farque says to Parmid "Show us".
Tamric Drubine puts the map of the City of Ruins down onto the table.
"Here" says Parmid, who follows that with "Here, and here". And goes onto show them over a dozen places, nearly twenty of them to be exact.
Here in the neutral zone of the pit, where Maygam's mercenary company are known to use.
From storage sites, to taverns they frequent. To places they stay whilst here in the so called neutral zone.
"Pay him" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
And though Helbe the elven thief sourly smile, he does pay the fence a small bag of gold and silver coins.
"If you're lying, we'll come back and kill you" says Des'tier just before he makes his way out of the large underground room.
Followed by the young field commander, and the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel.
As they head back through the tunnels, the undead warlord quietly says to Tamric Drubine and Helbe the elven thief "We might as well start now".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord continues with "A couple of those places are nearby" followed by "Might as well check them out before it gets dark".
The son of a former Knight of Castle Drubine in Sarcrin, and the grandson of the ruling prince of the elven principality of Laerel, nod in agreement as they head up the steps to the room up in the ruins above.
As they, and the rest of the group will continue the search for the one they've traveled here to the City of Ruins to find . . . . . .

The Find 23.

Autumn.

Midday. In the City of Ruins. In the northern area of the central region of the Southlands.
Mira Reinholt the mage and Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit follow behind lord Farque as they head through the neutral zone.
The term neutral zone or neutral area down here in the pit is a bit of a misnomer.
For here in the middle of the giant hole in the ground, it's pretty much a free for all just like most of the City of Ruins.
It's just that in this mile or so long area, where there's more ruins than anywhere else in the giant hole in the ground.
The mercenary companies, especially the larger ones have some semblance of truce between one another.
So though violence, usually fights break out here. Out and out battles in the neutral zone are a pretty rare occurrence. Even in such a lawless place as the City of Ruins.
Still for all that, people will attack others if they feel there's a chance they'll get away with it.
It's one of the reasons why Jarjin Littlefoot is keeping as close as possible to both the undead warlord and the once powerful mage.
Infront, the lord and ruler of the lands Farque points away to their right.
And they go that way, through what's essentially a market in an ancient plaza.
The mage Reinholt slightly nods his hooded head as he recognises the place from the last visit some of the group made here to the City of Ruins, over eighteen years ago.
The spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil sees that there's way more vendors and stalls here in the marketplace from the time he was last in the pit.
It's a thriving town market more than anything else. And though there's a large number of mercs and adventurers from various companies and bands. All in all, there's a semblance of normalcy here in the marketplace.
That's until an argument breaks out at one stall, and a fight breaks out between about a half a dozen people.
And though punches and kicks are thrown first, daggers are soon drawn, and blood sprays as the fight escalates.
Infront, the undead warlord ignores the deadly fight away to their left in the marketplace.
And heads out of the ancient plaza, going through one of the ruins. One of the many buildings in the neutral zone. That though still standing, is basically a shell of what it originally was.
The halfling from the far east coast of the continent, the Sultanate of Dreese to be exact. And the Vexilian mage in exile follow the lord of the death realm through the shell of the building, then out of it.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who to his people is also known by the name of Draugadrottin.
Turns right into a narrow walkway, which by the looks of it was probably an alleyway in the ancient city of Dalphene.
Near the other end of the alley, sits a large figure on the ground, who stands up as they approach.
It's a troll, standing at least ten foot tall, and weighing just over a thousand pounds, who easily towers over the large, heavily armoured deathlord who stops infront of it.
"Open it" says lord Farque to the troll, who slightly growls as he looks down at the two humans, and the hobbit.
Getting nothing but a growl in response to what he said, the undead warlord switches to the troll language and says "I said open it you big green cunt".
The troll, originally a hill, or mountain troll, who grew up away from any kind of society with the exception of his own kind.
Blinks in surprise when the large human in the full suit of dark plate armour speaks at him in trollish.
The troll then blinks in surprise again, as he actually realises what the human just said to him.
He growls in anger this time, and moves forward to grab the human, to crush the man's skull inside of his helm.
Sitting at one of the corner tables, Helbe the elven thief looks up, as does about everyone else in the underground tavern.
When the troll who guards the door up top, comes tumbling down the steps at speed, and comes to a stop in the middle of the bedrock floor with a thud.
The trolls legs are splayed out in different directions, and it's head is at an odd angle on it's neck, a sure sign it's dead.
Within the hood of his cloak, a faint smile appears on the face of the elven masterthief as lord Farque walks down the steps, closely followed by Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, and Mira Reinholt the mage.
Once he's down in the underground establishment, lord Farque looks at the stunned looking tavern keeper behind the bar, and tells him "You need a new doorman".
The undead warlord continues with "Three ales too" then he gestures to the corner table where Helbe the elven thief is sitting.
As the large, heavily armoured deathlord and the former air sailor from the Sultanate of Dreese, and the once powerful mage make their way to the corner table.
The conversations resume in the underground tavern that had gone silent when the dead troll came tumbling down the steps.
"Making an entrance i see" says Helbe the elven thief when the other three join him at the table.
"That tavern keeper looks pissed" says Mira Reinholt the mage, who continues with "Probably wondering how he's going to get that big, bloody dead troll out of his place".
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel nods his hooded head in agreement to that.
Then he flashes a grin, when his fellow spellcaster, the mage Reinholt asks him "How did you cast that illusion spell?" followed by "The one with the image that could talk?" he then adds "While you were here, over half a mile away".
"It's just a normal greater illusion spell" says the highly talented elven magic user, who after a brief pause, adds "With a few tweaks to it".
"A few tweaks he says" dryly murmurs the spellcaster from the city-state of Vexil, who is also a highly skilled swordmaster.
"What was it that you wanted to tell us?" asks lord Farque, interrupting the conversation between the two spellcasters.
"Some of that company, the one captained by Maygam are here in the neutral zone" quietly says the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel, who has cast a spell so that the others here in the underground tavern can't hear the conversation.
"They did a job further north in the pit, and returned yesterday" quietly adds the elven master assassin, who like Mira Reinholt and Jarjin Littlefoot, are members of lord Farque's personal council.
"The one we're looking for with them?" asks the undead warlord who has the elven name of Des'tier, which translates to, The Destroyer.
"Not that i call tell" says the highly talented elven magic user, who continues with "That doesn't mean they're not here in the neutral zone".
The grandson of Prince Raendril of Laerel then says "Others remained behind here in the neutral zone as that lot were up north".
The elven master archer follows on from that with "The thing is though, that's only a pretty small number of the company".
He briefly pauses before saying "The rest of them are elsewhere, best guess is they're up towards the very north of the pit" followed by "Which if you don't know already, there's a fairly large battle going on up there".
The elven princeling falls silent as the serving maid comes over with the three ales lord Farque ordered.
She takes the undead warlord's coins, and hurries back to the bar as the tavern keeper looks this way.
As Draugadrottin picks up the mug of ale, Helbe the elven thief says "You know that's poisoned".
"I know" says the large, heavily armoured deathlord, who turns his full helmed head to the corner of the room, lifts the faceplate of his helm, and drinks the ale in one go, before closing the faceplate of his helm, and turning his head back to the others.
"Lucky for some of us who are already dead" sourly says the mage Reinholt who looks at his mug of ale in disgust.
The halfling from the Sultanate of Dreese, who isn't what he appears to be. Is also looking at his ale that he can't touch.
Prince Helbenthril Raendril rolls his eyes, then says to his fellow councilors "Pass them over".
They do, and the elven masterthief passes a hand over the mugs, then says "They're no longer poisoned".
Taking back their ale, both Mira Reinholt and Jarjin Littlefoot look sideways at the young elven noble who is a member of the royal family that rules the principality of Laerel.
"It's fine, here I'll drink it myself" says the elven master assassin.
It's only when lord Farque says "It's fine" followed by "It's no longer poisoned".
That the halfling who is a former air sailor, and the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, drink their ale.
While behind the counter, the tavern keeper who was trying to suppress a smile, suddenly frowns as he watches them drinking at the corner table, and nothing's happened to them.
"Anyway about that battle up in the north of the pit" says the elven princeling from Laerel.
"We saw those warships go up there early this morning" says the hobbit, who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson.
Who just happens to find himself inhabiting the body of the halfling who is a former air sailor in the fleet of the Sultan of Dreese.
"And we've heard them firing throughout the morning" adds the spellcaster, who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
Who was stripped of most of his powers when he went offworld through a rift, void spell that he cast by accident a number of years ago.
Nodding his hooded head, Helbe the elven thief says "It was between two of the biggest mercenary companies in the pit" followed by "Now a third one, Jorkamin's company has moved in, hoping to eliminate two of his biggest rivals".
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel then explains "As usual when there's a large battle here in the pit, a bunch of other mercenary companies and bands of adventurers are hanging around the edges hoping to take advantage of things".
The elven master archer continues with "Unfortunately for us, I'm pretty sure most of Maygam's company is up there, and are probably caught up in the battle up there".
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque slightly nods his full helmed head, then quietly says "If the one we're after isn't here in the neutral zone, then they're caught up in that battle at the northern end of the pit".
"More than likely" says the elven princeling who is the envoy for the armies of Farque.
"They bloody well better not for die if they're up there" says the large, heavily armoured deathlord.
The other three at the table nod in agreement with the lord of the death realm.
Then the elven masterthief says "There's a fence here in the neutral zone who will probably know all of the spots Maygam's company hang out".
Prince Helbenthril Raendril continues with "He's the way they use to sell the antiquities they dig up here in the pit".
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel then adds "I could be searching for days trying to find all their hangouts".
The elven master assassin gestures around them, as he adds "There's loads of places like this here nowadays".
"I don't recall anything like this the last time we were here" quietly says Mira Reinholt the mage.
"There was a few" says the highly talented elven magic user, who follows that with "But in less than twenty years, there's now dozens of these places" he then adds "There's way more people here in the neutral zone than there was back then".
Lord Farque nods his full helmed head in agreement to that. For when they arrived at the City of Ruins a few days ago. He sensed way more life in the pit compared to nearly twenty years ago, when members of the group were last in the giant hole in the ground.
Within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, or as most people call it, the City of Ruins.
"We'll continue the search here, before even thinking about going up north" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
The halfling former air sailor, the once powerful mage, and the elven masterthief.
All nod in agreement with the undead being, whose personal council they're members of.
Then Helbe the elven thief grins, and softly chuckles, as the tavern keeper topples over, smacking his head on the corner of the bar, before hitting the floor, where he lies completely still.
"What was that?" asks Jarjin aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman who wonders what just happened to the tavern keeper.
"The idiot just killed himself" says the elven envoy who continues with "He was wondering why you lot aren't all dying, so he took a drink of ale with some of the poison in it".
"Idiot alright" says Mira Reinholt with a shake of his hooded head as he looks at the tavern keeper lying on the floor.
Who tried to poison him and the halfling former air sailor, and the undead warlord.
All because the large, heavily armoured deathlord killed the troll that was guarding the door to the underground tavern.
"I think it's about to get rowdy in here" says prince Helbenthril Raendril as many of the other customers realise that the tavern keeper is dead, or is dying.
Some of them are already trying to get behind the bar to get at the drinks, with the serving maids yelling at them to stop.
"We might want to get out of here before a full on brawl breaks out" says Jarjin Littlefoot.
Nodding his full helmed head, lord Farque says "Drink up your drinks" followed by "Then we're leaving". As a scuffle breaks out behind the bar between some of the other customers, who are fighting over the drinks that are now unattended in the tavern . . . . . .

The Find 22.

Autumn.

Morning. In the pit. Where the ancient city of Dalphene is located.
"Shit" mutters Lisell Maera the scout who dives behind the broken wall, that Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy is taking cover behind.
"Fucking hell" mutters the attractive young woman who hails from the city-state of Brattonbury.
"I thought it was supposed to be safe here" says Lisell Maera or Lis as she's more commonly called by the others in the group.
"It is" says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy as another arrow clanks off the ruins behind them.
"You could of fooled me" mutters the scout in the armies of Farque.
Who doesn't know what the ancient building is behind them. But whatever it was, she's sure glad that there was a wall built infront of it.
One that's giving her and the spy Tanith protection at the moment.
The elven spy who is from the principality of Alínlae, glances through a rather large hole in the wall.
Then turning his crossbow sideways, after collapsing down it's extendable arms.
He shoots off a bolt through the hole in the wall, aiming for the second storey of a rather dilapidated building opposite the wall they're behind.
"Get him?" asks Lis as Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by the others in the group, loads another bolt in his quick firing crossbow.
"I did" is the reply from the spy who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses in his homeland of Alínlae.
Who is now a company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque.
"Unfortunately they've got more archers" adds the spy Tanith just as another arrow clips off the top of the wall just above Lis, who mutters "Fuck".
As chips of stone fall upon her, and the arrow clanks off the front of the building behind the two of them.
The scout Maera who knows it's a waste of time with her trying to take a shot with her crossbow.
As there's a good chance she'll get shot if she was to stick her head up above the broken wall.
Shakes her head, then sourly says to the elven spy "So much for being a neutral zone".
"I don't think we're quite there yet" says Dalin who like the attractive young woman originally from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury, is speaking in elven.
"Figures" mutters Lis, which causes the spy Tanith to chuckle before he takes another quick look through the hole in the wall just infront of him.
Meanwhile the scout in the armies of Farque, looks back in the direction they've come from.
And she spots Tovis the war engineer glancing around the corner of an old ruin, looking at her and the elven spy.
The scout Maera nods, and the young engineer who hails from kingdom of Druvic nods in return, before he pops his head back around the corner.
"What is it?" asks Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit as he looks up at Tovis the war engineer, who tells him "Lis and Dalin are pinned down".
The hobbit, who isn't what he appears to be grunts, then he steps forward, and glances around the corner too.
The halfling, who is a former air sailor, who hails from the far east coast of the continent, the Sultanate of Dreese to be exact.
Spots Lisell Maera the scout and Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy taking cover behind an ancient, and by the looks of it crumbling wall.
The hobbit, who is a member of the personal council to lord Farque.
Can't clearly see who is shooting at them, but he can just see the end of the building opposite, that the archers must be in.
"Opportunists most likely, being this close to the neutral area" says the halfling, who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson.
Who just happens to find himself inhabiting the body of the hobbit from the Sultanate of Dreese.
"Keep an eye on them" Jarjin aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman says to the war engineer who is a captain in the armies of Farque.
Then the halfling turns and trotts back to where the others are approaching.
As they continue to head northwards, to the area roughly in the middle of the giant hole in the ground, which is considered the neutral zone of the City of Ruins.
"What?" asks lord Farque when Jarjin aka Zubutai Timaginson comes back to the rest of the group.
The halfling who is a member of the undead warlord's personal council informs him and the others what's happening just up ahead around the corner of an ancient ruins, where they can see Tovis the war engineer standing.
The large, heavily armoured deathlord rolls his eyes, and looks at the others to see who is best suited to deal with this problem.
"Mira" says lord Farque who quickly makes up his mind who is best to deal with the situation that Lis and Dalin find themselves in.
"Send a mageglobe into that building" adds the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, whose people also know him by the name of Draugadrottin.
"Will do" says Mira Reinholt the mage, who flashes a grin from within the hood of his cloak.
Then he along with his fellow councilor, Jarjin Littlefoot jog ahead, to where Tovis the war engineer is standing at the corner of one of the many ancient buildings in this part of the City of Ruins.
"The building opposite them" says the young engineer from the kingdom of Druvic, who steps back and out of the way, so that the mage Reinholt can glance around the corner.
Knowing how his fellow councilor can be at times with his magic. Jarjin Littlefoot tells the once powerful mage "Careful" followed by "That wall they're behind doesn't exactly look all that solid".
The spellcaster who is from the city-state of Vexil, his homeland that he's in exile from, grunts as he's come to the same conclusion.
Nevertheless, the practitioner of magic who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, quickly creates a mageglobe in the palm of his gloved right hand.
It's dark red in colour, about the size of a small apple. And before it shoots off and away from the exiled Vexilian mage's right hand.
Both Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, and Tovis the war engineer. Can clearly see the redness in the mageglobe swirling around inside of it.
"What's that?" mutters Lisell Maera the scout who thought she saw something small and red streak around from the corner where Tovis is.
The attractive young woman from the coast of the Southlands. Whose mother was a street prostitute.
And whose father, a man she never knew, or never met. Was a sailor who plied his trade upon the Great Western Ocean.
Quickly realises what it is, and more importantly, who created it, and she says to Dalin "Stay down".
And before she can tell him what it is. The sound of an explosion can be heard from the ancient building the mercenary archers are shooting at them from.
Both the human scout and the elven spy grimace as bits of the broken wall fall down, around and on them.
Nothing big, but chips of ancient stone fall on them, as they lie flat on the ground that briefly shakes beneath them.
Then the two of them get up into a crouch, with Lis glancing over the top of the wall, and Dalin looking through the hole he was previously shooting through.
Dark red flames are shooting out of every window, gap and hole in the ancient building opposite the wall they've taken cover behind.
The scout Maera grimaces as a burning body falls from a gap on the second floor, and hits the ancient path with a clearly audible splat.
The flames are so intense and burning so rapidly, that both Lis and Dalin don't expect the body to burn for that long.
Someone on fire stumbles from out of the hole in the front of the building, takes another step.
Before falling to a knee, then toppling over as the intense flames engulf the body.
While up on the second storey of the building, up in a window. A burning figure has tried to climb out the window and jump.
But they've only got as far as leaning out over the window. Half in, and the other out.
Totally covered in the intense red flames, that will quickly consume that person.
Then as suddenly as the flames appeared, they disappear. Going out in an instant.
Except for those bodies that are still on fire. For though the flames aren't as intense as they first were.
They're still burning strongly, burning up anyone, and everyone the fire came into contact with.
Lisell Maera and Dalinvardèl Tanith share a look, then the attractive young woman originally from the city-state of Brattonbury, dryly says "Mira".
"I figured as much" says the elven spy who hails from the principality of Alínlae.
The two of them stand up from behind the ancient, crumbling wall. And they spot the mage Reinholt, along with Tovis the war engineer and Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit.
Make their way from around the corner, and head this way.
"You could of warned us" sourly says Lis as she looks at the Vexilian mage in exile, then at the two smoking corpses on the pathway.
Shrugging his shoulders, Mira Reinholt says "You were fine" followed by "I know what i was doing".
"At least you didn't blow the place to bits" dryly says Dalinvardèl Tanith with sideways look at the once powerful mage.
Then a look up at the burnt body hanging halfway over a second storey windowsill in the building opposite.
Then the elven spy who is a company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque, frowns as he notices something.
"Why isn't that building burnt at all?" asks Dalin, as he can't see any scorch marks at all on the ancient ruins where the mercenaries who shot at him and Lis were in.
"Magic" replies Mira Reinholt, who then chuckles as both the spy Tanith and the scout Maera sourly smile at him.
"I told the mageglobe i created to only set flesh and cloth on fire" explains the once powerful mage, who then adds "So that's what it did".
The rest of the group make their way around the corner, and head towards those already on the pathway between the two ancient ruins.
As they do, they clearly hear Dorc da Orc say "Oooh that smells good" as he spots the two charred bodies lying on the pathway.
"Leave it" says lord Farque who doesn't even turn around, and he knows the large ork has stopped next to one of the burnt bodies, and is drooling as he looks down it.
The undead warlord then nods his full helmed head in the direction they're going, and says to Lis and Dalin "Move out".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord continues with "No one else is around here, you should be fine until we get to that neutral zone".
"I said leave it Dorc" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque without looking back at the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world.
Who was rather hoping no one was paying attention to him. So that he could sneak one of the burnt corpses into one of his sacks.
Without looking back at the ork warleader, the lord of the death realm points back at him, snapping his fingers as if he wasn't wearing steel gauntlets, then pointing in the direction they're heading, and saying "Move it".
Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, sighs in disappointment. Then heads along the pathway, loudly muttering "What a waste of good fucken meats".
The other person who was paying attention to the ork weaponsmith. Was his bitter rival, sir Percavelle Lé Dic.
Who shakes his head in disgust as he thinks of what the large ork was about to do.
The large, heavily armoured knight walks with Shur Kee the monk as the two of them follow behind lord Farque and Dorc da Orc.
As they group head northwards towards what's considered the neutral zone down here in the giant hole in the ground.
Out infront, the scout Maera and the spy Tanith are heading directly towards the massive pyramid.
Which takes up a lot of the view in this part of the pit. A pit that has the ancient city of Dalphene in it. Or as it's more commonly called, the City of Ruins.
The ancient pyramid, that stands over five hundred foot tall, and must be a quarter of a mile square in all directions.
Dominates this part of the the City of Ruins, so much so, that both Lis and Dalin can't see the two warships that are flying around, further north in the pit.
The two of them, along with the rest of the group following them, can definitely hear the two warships though.
As in the distance, to the north in the pit, the sound of magetubes firing can be head every so often.
"Play for keeps up there" quietly says Lisell Maera to Dalinvardèl Tanith.
The elven spy who hails from the principality of Alínlae, nods in agreement with the attractive young woman who is originally from the city-state of Brattonbury.
Then just before the company commander in the armies of Farque can say something to Lis, he spots something up ahead. To be exact, someone.
"Helbe" says Dalin, who along with the scout Maera jog forward to join the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel.
"Good you're here" says Helbe the elven thief when they get to him.
The highly talented elven magic user gives them some instructions. As the elven masterthief does, the spy Tanith frowns as he notices something.
Lisell Maera notices something too, she doesn't know what, but there's something not quite right about the elven master assassin.
"You're not here" suddenly says Dalinvardèl Tanith.
The grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel, chuckles then says "Well done" followed by "What gave it away?".
"The light on you, doesn't look quite right" explains the spy Tanith, the scout Maera nods in agreement, as she realises that's what she noticed was odd about the elven master archer.
"Damn morning light always does that" says Helbe the elven thief, well the illusion of him says it.
"Where are you?" asks the elven spy who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of his homeland of Alínlae.
"In a tavern of all places" is the reply from the greater illusion of the elven princeling from Laerel.
Who then nods his hooded head in the direction that Lis and Dalin have come from, and he says "Here comes the others".
Helbe the elven thief, well to be precise, the image of him created by the unique greater illusion spell, he has cast, says "Lord Farque will know where i am".
The highly talented elven magic user briefly pauses before continuing on with "I found out some rather useful information, which hopefully will help us find the one we're looking for" . . . . . .

The Find 21.

Autumn.

Early Morning. In the City Of Ruins. Just north of the Last Village.
Tamric Drubine the field commander yawns after checking his pack one last time.
The young noble originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin looks over to where Dorc da Orc is standing, scowling as he scratches his balls in the early morning gloom of just before dawn.
The senior officer in the armies of Farque shakes his head. Then looks to his left as his lover Saanea the witch walks up to him, and comes and stands beside him.
The young field commander briefly clasps the witch's hand, then he nods to where the others are.
The couple head that way, eventually followed by Dorc da Orc, after Tamric Drubine looks back at him, and nods for the large ork to follow him.
As Beldane the cleric looks through the leather wrapped, brass cylindrical eyepiece that belongs to Mira Reinholt the mage.
Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit asks "What's the best way?" the halfling from the far east coast if the continent, then adds "Teleport or one of your gateways Beldane?".
It's Mira Reinholt the mage who answers for the fighting cleric, and says "Gateway" followed by "There's too many of us to teleport far".
The once powerful mage continues on with "Even for someone as powerful as Beldane here".
The powerful spellcaster from the kingdom of Nastell nods his head in agreement with his fellow practitioner of magic.
As he continues to look northwards through the eyepiece, as Tamric Drubine, Saanea the witch and Dorc da Orc join them and the rest of the group.
Here in the City of Ruins, just north of what's called the Last Village. On what feels like it's going to be another cool autumn day down here in the pit.
Standing off to one side is lord Farque, who is also looking northwards while the rest of the group waits as dawn approaches, here in the giant hole in the ground, within which is the ancient city of Dalphene.
As the first rays of light come down over the pit, the undead warlord makes his way over to where the others are waiting.
"Anywhere?" asks lord Farque as he looks at the fighting cleric who hails from the kingdom of Nastell.
"There and there" is the reply of Beldane the cleric who points away to the north as he says that.
The member of the church of Glaine, a god which is predominantly worshiped in the north of Nastell, then adds "They look to be better places".
The heavily armoured deathlord looks to where Beldane has pointed, sensing as he does so.
Lord Farque, or Draugadrottin as he's also known by to the people of his lands, nods his full helmed head.
"Not the one to the left, the west" says the lord of the death realm who continues with "Quite a lot of people in and around there".
The undead warlord briefly pauses, before he says "The one on the right instead" he then adds "See that ruins, with the broken above ground aqueduct running next to it?".
As he looks through the eyepiece, Beldane the cleric nods, then says "I do".
"Keep clear of that" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who continues with "There's a bunch of fucking mercs or others in there, no doubt waiting for someone to go by first thing in the morning, so they can attack them".
The powerful cleric nods his head, then says "Will do" he then adds "I've got a spot, about fifty yards to the right, near where there's the foundations of some ruins sticking out of the sandy ground".
Draugadrottin nods his full helmed head, then says "Good enough" followed by "Might as well get going".
As the fighting cleric in the halfplate armour hands the leather wrapped, cylindrical eyepiece back to his fellow spellcaster, the mage Reinholt.
Lord Farque says to the group "Not too busy there" followed by "Just some goblins heading between there and the east wall of the pit".
As the powerful cleric starts casting, the deathlord of Farque looks at Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy and Lisell Maera the scout and tells them "You two first". Both nod, then he says "Dorc, Percy with me".
Though the large ork and the former paladin scowl at one another, the ork warleader grunts in reply to the undead warlord, while the large, heavily armoured knight nods his full helmed head that he will.
"Follow us Shur Kee" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
"I will lord Farque" says Shur Kee the monk who knows that Des'tier as he's called in elven, likes to keep him around Dorc da Orc and sir Percavelle Lé Dic.
So that he can keep an eye on the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world, and the nobleman from the kingdom of Druvic, who are bitter rivals.
Looking at the others in the group, the large undead being says to them "The rest of you follow quickly".
They all nod that they will, then the gateway cast by Beldane the cleric forms about five yards infront of the spellcaster who is a member of the church of Glaine.
It's barely formed when first Dalinvardèl Tanith runs quickly through it, followed closely by Lisell Maera the scout.
Lord Farque walks forward, and slightly ducks to go through the magical doorway that's all black in colour.
He's followed closely by Dorc da Orc, who has to duck down to go through it.
The ork weaponsmith is followed by his bitter rival, the Druvician nobleman who is a member of the Order of The Knights of Saint Mar-che.
Who is closely followed by the short, statured monk, Shur Kee. Who hurries to keep up with the large, heavily armoured knight.
Then one by one, the others in the group go through the gateway cast by the fighting cleric who hails from the kingdom of Nastell.
Last through the gateway and out the otherside, is Beldane the cleric himself.
The churchman who is a follower of the god Glaine. Spots Tovis the war engineer hurrying around a half torn down ruins.
After quickly dropping his gateway spell behind him, the powerful Nastellian spellcaster heads after the young engineer, who like sir Percavelle Lé Dic, is from the kingdom of Druvic.
Once Beldane comes around the corner, the lord and ruler of the lands Farque says "We're about half a mile from that neutral area".
Des'tier as he's called in elven, which translates to, The Destroyer continues with "Shouldn't run into too much trouble between here and there, especially at this time of the morning".
The lord of the death realm then adds "All the same, keep your fucking wits about you".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord looks at the Dalinvardèl Tanith, and nods for the elven spy to the lead the way.
The elf who is originally from the principality of Alínlae, moves off, heading through the half tumbled downed ruins they're behind.
He's quickly followed by the attractive young scout originally from the city-state of Brattonbury, Lisell Maera.
Then after a brief pause, the others in the group, one by one follow after the young human scout, and the elven spy.
They know that the mercenary company they're after, well some of them at least, are somewhere in what's called the neutral zone, down here in the giant hole in the ground.
Within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, or as it's more commonly called, the City of Ruins.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque was informed by Narladene the ground pixie during the night.
That she and Helbe the elven thief found out by snooping around the neutral area.
That some of those in Maygam's mercenary company, are in the neutral zone.
While rumour has it, that the rest of the company, including captain Maygam himself.
Are somewhere up in the very north of the City of Ruins. Where a week long battle between two of the largest mercenary companies down here in the pit, is taking place.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque has voiced his opinion that the person they're searching for here in the giant hole in the ground.
Is probably up in the north of the ancient city of Dalphene with Maygam, knowing their luck.
But they can't rule out that they could be in the so called neutral zone. As the ancient map they have from a book the mage Reinholt purchased recently.
Has what's now known as the neutral zone, being in the northern half of the City of Ruins.
And that the ancient kingdom of Gilbanath, which consisted of at least the northern half of the giant hole in the ground.
Is where they'll find the person they're searching for, the one that Helbe the elven thief's power of foresight, says will be the newest member of the group.
As they head northwards, Saanea the witch who has sent her familiar out infront of the group.
Briefly closes her eyes as she walks alongside her lover Tamric Drubine, or Tam as he's more commonly called by the others in the group.
"We're being watched" says Saanea the witch after she opens her eyes.
The pretty looking spellcaster who hails from the Maldin Hills, continues with "Up ahead, away to the right" followed by "Can't actually see who, as they're in a tunnel".
"Goblins" says lord Farque from where he's walking infront of the young couple.
Dorc da Orc grunts in agreement with the undead warlord, as the ork warleader can smell the nearby goblins.
"Probably deciding if it's worth attacking us" adds the large, heavily armoured deathlord.
The word is passed forward to Lisell Maera and Dalinvardèl Tanith to look out for goblins up ahead.
The two of them, the attractive looking young woman who hails from the coastal city-state of Brattonbury.
And the spy originally from the elven principality of Alínlae.
Pass by the tunnel entrance, spotting a number of wild goblins looking out at them.
After Beldane the cleric and Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, as well as Mira Reinholt the mage, then Tovis the war engineer walk by.
The goblins, those at the tunnel entrance at the least, get a bit more bold. Probably more to the fact that there's a large number of their fellow goblins in the tunnel, pushing forward, trying to see who it is that's going by, this early in the morning.
On what's the start of another cool autumn day, down here in the pit.
Within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, or as it's more commonly called, the City of Ruins.
A few of the goblins step out of the tunnel mouth, intent to at least follow, then maybe attack those who are walking by.
Until the large figure in the dark blue, black heavy plate armour walks by, and looks in their direction.
"Fuck off" says lord Farque in the goblin language as he sees some of the goblins have come out of the nearby tunnel that the group are walking by.
The goblins, who are considered wild, and live and work as a tribe. Go completely still, as they've never heard anyone apart from other goblins speak their language.
Then because the large figure in the dark plate armour told them to fuck off, that's exactly what they do.
The fact that there was a flash of blue light coming from the eyes through the eyeslot in the full helm, of the large, heavily armoured figure also has a lot to do with them turning around, and hurrying back into the tunnel.
The others at the mouth of the tunnel, saw and heard what happened too.
They've also turned, and headed back through the tunnel. With the inevitable results.
With scuffles breaking out, as goblins push and shove each other, to head back to their nearby cavern.
And goblins being goblins, especially wild goblins. The quickly forget about what they were intending to do.
And resort to what they do a lot of. And that's fight over who gets to be the king. And since they're in a tunnel, a lot of them who have started fighting. Are fighting over who is going to be the king of the tunnel.
"Fucken gob-a-lins" mutters Dorc da Orc as he watches the goblins scramble back into the tunnel, and disappear from sight.
To one side of the large ork, his bitter rival sir Percavelle Lé Dic frowns as the goblins disappear from view.
Then the nobleborn knight originally from the kingdom of Druvic, scowls at the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks.
Infront of the bitter rivals, lord Farque is saying to the mage Reinholt who has dropped back to walk beside him "We'll have to thoroughly search throughout the neutral zone" followed by "Helbe has found some of that company, and a couple of them know of the one we're looking for".
"At least we know they're here in the pit" says the once powerful mage who is from the city-state of Vexil.
"Somewhere" adds Mira Reinholt after a brief pause.
The unread warlord nods his full helmed head in agreement, then up ahead, Beldane the cleric points away to the east, and says "Airship approaching".
"Warship" says lord Farque, who after he senses again adds "There's another one about four miles to the southeast of the pit heading this way".
A few moments later, and the airship Beldane sensed, comes into view over the giant hole in the ground.
And it heads northwards, heading over the neutral zone at a height of about six hundred feet.
Passing over the pyramid that dominates much of the view in this part of the City of Ruins.
"Looks like it's going further north" quietly says Mira Reinholt the mage as the twin masted airship continues on it's way in the early morning sunshine on this cool autumn day.
"Probably to that battle up there" says Draugadrottin, who then shares a look with the once powerful mage walking beside him.
As they both have the same thought. Hoping that the person they're searching for is actually in the neutral zone. And not in the very north of the pit, where there's an ongoing battle taking place.
A battle not just between two of the largest companies down here in the City of Ruins. But now three of them. With other smaller companies, caught up in the battle . . . . . .

The Find 20.

Autumn.

The giant hole in the ground. In which, is the ancient city of Dalphene. More commonly known as the City of Ruins.
They move out late in the afternoon, breaking up into smaller groups as they leave the couple of ancient buildings they've observed the battle from.
The captain of their company, Maygam. Has given them their orders. So that his latest plan can get underway.
None of them know the entirety of the plan. As the mercenary captain has only told his second in command, Uren. Along with one of the elven twins, Lolmildíll. The entirety of his plans for getting someone in, and hopefully something out of the site.
A site, that's a recently dug up ruins. That two of the larger mercenary companies down here in the pit have been fighting over for the last week or so.
Now it seems, another of the larger mercenary company's down here in the City of Ruins. Wants to enter the frey, and fight over the site as well.
All of which, has put Maygam's plans into action quicker than he thought they would be.
It's late afternoon on what's been another cool day here in the ancient city of Dalphene.
And the young mercenary Zam follows the dwarf Hilmik down into a stone culvert.
Following behind them are number of the other mercenaries in the company. Some he knows like Farnill. And others he's only just met today.
In the lead, the young dwarven warrior originally from the Colevar Mountains, puts a hand up for the others following to halt.
They do, and Hilmik creeps ahead, as the broken culvert actually goes underground for a bit.
After looking ahead, and listening. The young dwarf, waves Zam forward.
And the teenage mercenary originally from the city-state of Kuradum moves forward to crouch beside the dwarf who is leading the way.
"No one in the tunnel" quietly says Hilmik the dwarven mercenary.
Who then gives young Zam a shake, to try and scare him, to get him to concentrate on the situation at hand.
The teenage mercenary who like Farnill and Hilmik, joined Maygam's company at the start of the autumn. As a number of others did.
Such as Melmear and Imraness. Who are towards the rear of those that the dwarven warrior Farnill is leading.
Sourly looks at that young dwarf from the Colevar Mountains.
"Do you mind?" mutters Zam the mercenary.
"Keep alert young Zam" is the reply of Hilmik, who has a grin that splits his short beard.
The dwarven mercenary then nods for Zam to keep following him, and moves off.
The teenage mercenary from the city-state of Kuradum looks back and gestures for the others to follow.
Then he follows Hilmik into the ancient tunnel, a few moments later, he's followed by the others in their group.
Once they're at the end of the tunnel, Hilmik looks out, and away to their left, where his keen dwarven eyesight, spots movement.
"Uren and her group" murmurs the dwarven warrior as he spots amongst the ruins away to the left, some of the others who have headed this way.
He nods when he spots Almard, who like him and Zam, is a fairly new hire.
Look this way, and nod in the direction the group that Hilmik is leading, are to head.
The experienced mercenary who is a from the unruled lands near the city-state of Kuradum, gives a hand signal to Hilmik.
The dwarven warrior who quickly learnt the hand signals just before they set off.
Slightly grimaces, before he nods back to the mercenary, who though he's a new hire, is already Uren's helper.
Looking back at Zam, Hilmik quietly says "Some of those new ones are up ahead" followed by "From the ship that put down, Jorkamin's lot".
The teenager from the city-state of Kuradum grimaces, then quietly asks "Can we get around them?".
"I don't know" is the reply of the dwarf from the northern end of the Colevar Mountains.
"Pass the word to the others what's up ahead" adds Hilmik, who then nods to where those Uren have with her, as he continues with "They're just moving out now".
Zam looks in that direction, and spots a few of those with the second in command, moving out, heading to where the mercenary captain, Maygam wants them to be.
Then Zam turns and informs the next mercenary behind him, what's up ahead.
The teenage mercenary from Kuradum moves out after Hilmik as word gets passed along behind him, that some of Jorkamin's company is somewhere up ahead.
At the rear of the group, Melmear and Imraness share a look when they hear who could be up ahead.
Then they're moving, following the others. With Imraness, the best swordsman out of this lot, bringing up the rear, as he follows behind the comely looking teenage girl, from the Last Village, here in the City of Ruins.
"What now?" mutters Imraness a little while later after he's left the tunnel, and scrambled over the foundations of a ruins, and hurried into another ancient building.
Where he comes to a stop, as the group has been halted again by the dwarven warrior Hilmik, who is leading the way.
Both Imraness and Imraness look ahead, where they see Hilmik and the youngster Zam, along with another of the newbies, Farnill.
Conferring about something as they crouch beside a large hole in the wall at this end of the ancient building.
One of the other mercenaries infront of Imraness and Melmear turns and quietly tells them "The dwarf can hear fighting up ahead".
The teenage girl from here in the pit, and the young mercenary, a former church guard from the city-state of Eweteets.
Nod as the merc infront of them continues with "He thinks it's Jorkamin's lot who have joined in the fighting between Hamblett and Jarnok's companies".
After the merc infront of them moves forward, Imraness the mercenary quietly says to the comely looking, fuller figured teenager next to him "Just run if we get caught up in anything".
The ex church guard, who is still only eighteen years old, and is already one of the best swordsmen in the company he joined not that long ago, continues with "Remember we have to get into that site".
Imraness briefly pauses before he adds "Or at least as close to it as possible".
"I know" quietly says Melmear the mercenary as the two of them watch the trio up near the hole in the wall.
The former serving maid in one of the taverns in the Last Village, down here in the City of Ruins, then quietly says "Here we go then".
As Hilmik the dwarven warrior slips out through the hole in the wall, as the light starts to fade outside, as it nears sunset, here in the northern area in the central region of the Southlands.
The young mercenary Zam follows the dwarf out through the hole in the wall.
Then Farnill, an archer from the kingdom of Nastell, follows the two of them out of the ancient building.
Then one by one, the rest of the group make their way through the hole in the wall.
With eventually Melmear, and lastly Imraness exit the ancient building, as they follow after the rest of the group as they make their way towards the site.
Zam looks back at Farnill who is following closely behind him, with an arrow notched to his bow.
The teenager from the city-state of Kuradum looks forward at Hilmik, who has slowed again, and is creeping forward towards the corner of a building.
As now even Zam can hear the sounds of fighting, not all that far away from them.
He cautiously moves forward as the rest of the group slows down behind him.
And when Zam gets to behind the dwarven warrior from the Colevar Mountains, Hilmik quietly tells him "They're in a barn fight around there".
The teenage mercenary, crouches down, then leans forward around the dwarven warrior infront of him, and takes a peek around the corner.
Zam mutters "Shit" after he quickly pulls his head back from glancing around the corner of the ancient building, that the group are up against the side of.
"Now what?" quietly asks Zam as he wonders what they should do next.
He then nods, as does Hilmik, when behind them, Farnill the mercenary quietly says "Let as many of them kill one another as possible".
"We wait?" quietly asks Zam. Nodding his head, Hilmik says "We wait" followed by "Tell the others".
As Farnill turns and tells the merc behind him that they're going to wait, and to pass it on to the rest of the group.
Zam cocks his crossbow, just incase one of those fighting around the corner. Whether they're in Jorkamin, Jarnok or Hamblett's company, come around this way and discover the group.
Infront of the teenage mercenary from the city-state of Kuradum, the young dwarf from the Colevar Mountains is frowning.
"What is it?" quietly asks Zam the mercenary, who has become friends with Hilmik since they joined Maygam's company within days of one another.
"Not sure" is the quiet reply from the dwarven warrior, who continues with "I think i hear movement underground" followed by "Hard to tell with that fighting around the corner".
"Goblins?" quietly asks the young mercenary from the city-state of Kuradum.
As wild goblins are the most likely to be under the ground. Especially here to the north of the neutral zone, where they're more prevalent.
"Maybe" is the quiet reply from Hilmik, who after a brief pause, murmurs "Can't really tell".
Zam just nods, as he and the rest of the group that Hilmik is leading towards the site, continue to wait.
"What is it?" quietly asks Melmear to the mercenary infront of her, who has just quietly spoken to the one infront of him.
"The dwarf says there's something underground around here" is the quiet reply of the mercenary infront of a Melmear.
"Goblins most like" adds the mercenary who then looks forward, waiting for the signal to continue.
Looking back at Imraness behind her, the comely looking fuller figured teenager from here in the City of Ruins, quietly says to him "Hear that?".
"I did" is the quiet reply from Imraness, the young swordsman from the city-state of Eweteets continues with "Nothing like goblins to get mixed up in all of this and confuse everything".
"Not as if it's confusing already" dryly says Melmear with a shake of her head.
Then the mercenary infront of the two of them, quietly says "We're moving again".
Deeming it's as good as of a time as any to get going again, as he's heard the sounds of fighting around the corner dying down.
Hilmik, who knows the others won't be able to see that well fairly soon, as the sun is about to set upon the City of Ruins.
Moves around the corner, with the others in the group, starting with Zam, following him one by one.
It's an ancient city square by the looks of it, and strewn across it are the dead and dying from three of the largest mercenary companies down here in the giant hole in the ground.
Within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, or the City of Ruins as it's more commonly called.
There's still fighting around the ancient square, with mercs from Hamblett's, Jarnok's and Jorkamin's companies all going at one another.
As Hilmik leads the group diagonally across the ancient city square, an arrow shot from Farnill's bow passes  to his right, and ends up hitting a mercenary from one of the battling companies, who has turned and spotted them.
Others from the three companies who are still alive and fighting one another, have spotted those from Maygam's company as well.
Who are heading to the recently dug up ruins, or the site as everyone is calling it, which is just beyond the ancient city square.
With the fading light of the end of the day settling down upon the City of Ruins.
Hilmik who is out infront as he hurries across the ancient square, frowns as once again, he hears movement underground, right beneath the square to be exact.
And this time, he actually feels the movement beneath his feet.
He's not the only one, as behind him, Zam feels it as well, and the teenage mercenary from the city-state of Kuradum says "What's that?".
Just then, the ancient stone work in the middle of the square bursts upwards, and something erupts from under the ground. Right in the middle of the group from Maygam's mercenary company who are crossing the square.
Bodies are flung everywhere, Farnill staggers forward, pushing over Zam, who knocks down Hilmik.
The teenage mercenary from Kuradum is quickly to his feet, and helps his dwarven friend up, while behind them, Farnill shouts "Run!".
The archer from the kingdom of Nastell has turned around, and has seen what's come up through the ground.
It can only be described as a giant slug, a gray, green colour, about eighteen feet long.
It has a greenish ichor oozing from it's maw, as it slithers forward, crushing two of the mercenaries who were knocked down.
Hilmik, who has turned to see what it is, shouts "Don't look at it's eyes!" as he recognises what the creature is. He's never seen one before, but as a dwarf, he's definitely heard of it.
One of the other mercenaries doesn't heed the warning of the dwarven mercenary.
And as he runs at it with his broadsword, he looks directly at the head of the giant slug like creature. He comes to a sudden stop, transfixed by the look in the eyes of the creature.
Which slithers forward, knocking him down, then rolls forward, crushing him to death.
"Scatter!" shouts Zam, who then hears a voice away to the left, call out "Zam this way!".
Hilmik looks that way, and spots Almard at the entrance of an underground culvert at the edge of the ancient square.
"Move!" shouts Farnill, who along with Hilmik and young Zam head towards where Almard is waving to them.
Meanwhile, Imraness who has just helped Melmear to her feet. Who heard Hilmik's shouted warning, says to the teenage girl "Don't look at it" followed by "Look at the ground".
And he takes her by the arm, and leads her away, as others have scattered in all directions.
While others attempt to fight the giant slug like creature, and fail.
Out of the corner of his eye in the fading light, Imraness spots Farnill, Zam and Hilmik hurrying towards an underground culvert, where he spots someone standing at the mouth of.
Imraness, leading Melmear, heads that way too. And sees that it's Uren's helper, Almard who is at the culvert mouth.
"Quick, in the tunnel" says Almard the mercenary, as first Farnill, then Zam and Hilmik, followed by Imraness and Melmear enter the tunnel.
Then seeing the giant slug like creature turn this way, Almard shouts "Run!".
As he leads the others through the tunnel. The six of them, all fairly new hires into Maygam's mercenary company.
Don't know it, but as they flee for their lives through the tunnel. There's a group of adventurers here in the City of Ruins, who are searching for one of them . . . . . .

The Find 19.

Autumn.

The northern half of the pit. More widely known as the City of Ruins.
"Have Uren come up here when she gets in" says Maygam the mercenary captain.
Tolmac nods, then crawls backwards across the roof for a bit, before getting up into a crouch, and moving towards the steps that go down into the ancient building.
"Jarnok's sending more men in" quietly says the lookout at the right hand corner of the building.
"Twenty, maybe twenty five of them have just come up from the underground water tunnel" quietly continues the lookout.
"He wants this over" says the mercenary captain, who then mutters "The prick".
Maygam, doesn't particularly like either Jarnok and Hamblett. For the simple reason the two of them have two of the largest mercenary companies.
Living and working down here in the giant hole in the ground, within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, which everyone calls the City of Ruins.
But out of the two of them, he'd rather see Hamblett victorious as they fight over the site, of the newly dug up ruin.
Due to Maygam and Jarnok serving in the same mercenary company over a dozen years ago.
Until they were both kicked out, due to a violent argument they were in. Where they nearly killed one another.
Something Maygam has never forgotten, or forgiven.
"He has the knack of getting away with things doesn't he?" says the effete sounding elven voice to Maygam's left.
The mercenary captain looks at Lolmildíll, and sourly smiles before telling the elven magic user "You don't have to tell me that".
Maygam briefly pauses before continuing with "That bastard used to be my friend".
Then more out of spite than anything else, the captain of one of the more successful mercenary companies down here in the pit, asks the elven spellcaster "Where's that damn brother of yours?".
"Damned he is alright" quietly says thin, pale elf from the principality of Alínlae, who then adds in a mutter "How the hell should i know?" followed by "I'm not his damn keeper".
Maygam just grunts and let's it go, as he and maybe Uren are the only ones in the company, who vaguely understand the elven twins.
The mercenary captain knows that they belong to one of the noble houses in the elven principality of Alínlae.
For the simple reason they're spellcasters, and the only elves who practice magic, are the elven nobility.
Maygam also knows that for all the depraved behaviour that Lolmildíll, or Lolm as he's more commonly called by those in the company, does.
He's basically a saint in comparison to his twin brother Gilvanéllé. Who is a walking nightmare if there ever was one.
The only reason the mercenary captain allows Gilvanéllé in the company.
Is because the deranged elf is loyal to his twin brother Lolmildíll. And likewise for Lolm to Gilvan as he's also known by.
And though Maygam finds Gilvanéllé absolutely abhorrent. He can't fault him when he fights side by side with his twin brother Lolmildíll.
The two of them and their magic, along with Maygam's leadership and tactics. As well with his second in command, Uren's practicality.
Is the reason the company is as successful as they are, especially as they're only about half the size of some of the largest mercenary companies operating down here in the City of Ruins.
Maygam, a man of average height, in his mid thirties, who has been a mercenary nearly twenty years.
And the captain of his own company for the last decade. The last five of which, has been exclusively down here in the giant hole in the ground, that's the City of Ruins.
Pops his head up, after there's a flash of light, and the sound of an explosion from near, or within the fighting, that's just a couple hundred yards away.
As the week long battle between Jarnok's company, and Hamblett's company continues on, this cool autumn day in the ancient city of Dalphene.
The mercenary captain glances at the elven magic user beside him, who quietly says "That sorcerer in Hamblett's company" Lolmildíll continues with "Kilfin".
"Hmmmm" murmurs Maygam as he thinks about something, as he has plans for later today, as well as tonight and tomorrow.
"Those two pet wizards of Jarnok's about?" asks the mercenary captain, who has had a fairly successful run of things of late, down here in the pit.
"One is, the other isn't" is the reply of Lolmildíll, who like his twin brother Gilvanéllé is a supremely talented spellcaster.
Maygam nods, then from the back of the roof, the lookout with the eyepiece says "That wyvern of Jorkamin's is up in the air again" followed by "Heading up this way from the neutral zone".
The mercenary captain nods, then quietly says to the elf from the principality of Alínlae beside him "Coming up to check on his rivals".
"No doubt" quietly says Lolmildíll, as they and the rest of the company.
Knows that there's very few mercenary companies down here in the pit, that can compete and compare to the companies led by Jarnok and Hamblett.
But one that can, is Jorkamin's mercenary company. As he has a trio of wyverns at his disposal. As well as a small fleet of airships, a few of them being warships.
"He might finally get involved" quietly says the effete sounding elven magic user.
"Maybe" says Maygam, who briefly pauses before continuing with "Let's hope he does to be honest".
Lolmildíll glances at the mercenary captain, and lifts a questioning eyebrow.
The elven practitioner of magic doesn't press Maygam on the matter. And nor does that captain of the company care to elaborate.
Though Lolm can guess that Maygam has worked out some half crazed plan. That knowing Maygam's luck, will probably work.
"No use trying to hide from it and the rider" says the mercenary captain to those on the roof.
Maygam who has a bit of a reputation of being irritable. Which is an earned reputation, that's clearly correct.
"Jorkamin's flyer knows we're here, as well as every other company up here in this part of the pit" continues the mercenary captain, who has spent most of life between the triangle, that's made up of the city-states of Eweteets and Kuradum, as well as the City of Ruins.
Maygam shakes his head no, when Lolmildíll quietly asks him "You want me to get rid of it?".
As the effete sounding elf beside him, nods at the approaching wyvern that's flying over the giant hole in the ground.
The mercenary captain shakes his head no again, then quietly tells the elven practitioner of magic "No i want to see what he'll do" followed by "If he can attack either Jarnok's or Hamblett's companies, or even better both, then that'll play into what I've got planned".
Lolm nods his pale head, as he suspects the mercenary captain has devised something that will give them an advantage.
The elven magic user from the principality of Alínlae is fairly lucky dealing with Maygam.
As the mercenary captain is usually gruff, and annoyed when dealing with anyone in the company.
The exception being Lolmildíll, his twin brother Gilvanéllé, and Uren who is Maygam's second in command.
Apart from that, his orders are usually delivered in an annoyed tone to anyone else in the company.
Lolm figures Maygam is in a fairly good mood today, as he sent Tolmac off to get the incoming Uren without any annoyance in his voice at all.
"Circling around up to us now" says the lookout with the eyepiece at the back of the roof.
"Come on you overgrown buzzard" says Maygam in a quiet voice, followed by "Here we are".
Watching the wyvern and it's rider with his naturally enhanced eyesight, the nobleborn elf from the principality of Alínlae says "The rider is definitely taking note of everyone's position up here".
Maygam nods, for they suspect there's at least six or seven other groups from various mercenary companies.
Watching the ongoing battle between Jarnok's and Hamblett's companies.
"Hopefully that rider finds all of them" quietly says the mercenary captain, whose company has been one of the more successful ones down here, in the City of Ruins over the last five years.
Then the lookout at the back of the roof, says "Airship just flown over the eastern edge" he briefly pauses before adding "Same one that arrived just after dawn this morning".
"Real one from Eweteets?" Maygam quietly asks Lolmildíll "Or a fake one?" adds the mercenary captain.
The elven spellcaster spots the airship in question, then he quietly says "Want me to find out this time?".
Lolm briefly pauses before continuing with "You know if i cast, it'll give my location away to every other spellcaster in the area".
Maygam thinks about it for a moment then he says "They know you're in the area anyway" followed by "So you might as well".
The captain of the company then quietly adds "Will anyone know if Gilvan is around?".
"If i don't know where he is, then i can guarantee no else knows" sourly says the elven magic user.
Maygam grunts at hearing that, then he tells the elf from the principality of Alínlae "Go ahead then".
Lolmildíll is silent for a few moments as he looks towards the airship in the distance away towards the neutral zone.
It's similar in appearance to another small airship, that's floating around near the southern end of the giant hole in the ground.
"Yeah it's from Eweteets" quietly says Lolm as he casts, he pauses for a moment or two, then he adds "Wait a moment".
The elven practitioner of magic is silent for a little bit, then after he drops his spell, he quietly and quickly tells Maygam "It's a sightseeing ship from Eweteets alright" followed by "But apart from the crew everyone onboard is a merc".
The mercenary captain's eyebrows shoot up when he hears that, and he mutters "What the hell?".
"Someone's hired it?" asks Maygam as he looks at Lolmildíll, who nods yes in reply to that question.
"Let me guess?" dryly says the company captain, who continues in that dry tone with "Someone from here in the pit?".
"Indeed it is captain" quietly says the nobleborn elf from Alínlae.
And though Maygam wants to says it's his former friend and colleague Jarnok.
He knows the mercenary captain he was once friends with, and fought alongside with. Isn't that smart, or subtle.
"Jorkamin" sourly says Maygam the mercenary captain.
"The very one" quietly says Lolmildíll the elven magic user.
"Well i guess that ship will wander up this way" says the mercenary captain.
"More than likely" says the spellcaster who hails from the elven principality of Alínlae.
"Damn" murmurs Maygam, who continues murmuring with "I hope they don't make a move before we're ready to act".
For though he'd welcome that Jorkamin and his company interfered in the battle between the companies of Lolmildíll and Jarnok
Maygam doesn't want it to happen too soon. As that could totally bugger up the plans that he has thought out.
With a nod of his head at the wyvern, the mercenary captain quietly says "What's a bet that's picking the target for those onboard that ship".
"Not much of a bet captain" says Lolm who continues with "I'm pretty sure that's exactly what they're doing".
"Jorkamin is a number of things, and clever is definitely one of them" quietly says Maygam the mercenary.
Who then falls silent when the elven magic user quietly tells him "Tolmac is back with Uren".
A few moments later, and Tolmac returns to the roof, followed by the second in command of the company.
"How did it go?" quietly asks Maygam after his second in command crawls forward, and ends lying next to him, after Lolmildíll makes room for her.
"Quite well actually" is the reply of Uren the mercenary, who follows up with "Infact better than expected".
The second in command of the company then explains what happened early this morning.
When those she was leading, ambushed a band of mercenaries.
After hearing what his second has to say, the mercenary captain grunts in satisfaction.
Then Uren says "So what's happening up here?" followed by "Those two still trying to wipe one another out?".
"They are" replies Maygam, then he nods at the wyvern circling around the northern part of the giant hole in the ground.
Then nods at the small airship in the distance, down near the neutral zone, flying slowly northwards.
"Think someone's going to get involved a little bit later" quietly says the mercenary captain.
"Oh?" says his second in command of the company, who then blinks in surprise when Maygam tells her about those onboard the small airship, that's out of the city-state of Eweteets.
"That sneaky bastard" says Uren in a tone of admirationg.
"Trust Jorkamin to do something like that" adds the second in command of the company.
The mercenary captain grunts in agreement, then he quietly says "If he does it sometime later today, or tonight it could very well play into our hands".
Uren shares a look with Lolmildíll, the two of them get along fairly well. And they both have the exact same thought, wondering what Maygam has planned.
"What's that?" quietly asks the company's second in command.
"First thing first, how many did you bring up with you?" asks the mercenary captain.
"Including myself" says the woman with a scar across he face "Fifteen" adds Uren the mercenary.
With a nod of his head, Maygam quietly says "That might make a difference".
Then after a little bit of silence, Maygam the mercenary quietly says to Lolmildíll and Uren "We have a good chance of upsetting all three of them".
He briefly pauses, then Maygam the mercenary quietly explains to the elven magic user and his second in command, what his plans are for later today, and into the night.
Down here in the giant pit, within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, or as it's more commonly called, the City of Ruins . . . . . .

The Find 18.

Autumn.

In the north of the pit. That's the ancient city of Dalphene. More widely known as the City of Ruins.
Melmear glances around the corner, and seeing that it's all clear, she hurries across the ancient roadway, and enters one of the ruins.
She nods in greeting to a number of the others in the company, already in here.
Before she heads to some steps, still fairly intact, that leads up to the roof of the ruin.
Like a lot of the ancient ruins, it's missing a fair bit of the roof. But also like a lot of them, the roof is flat, with a low wall around the edge of it.
A testament to where the ancient city originally came from. A desert region on the otherside of the world.
Melmear drops down below one of the low walls still intact, next to another in the company.
Imraness, another fairly new hire like herself. But unlike her, he's been a mercenary for a number of years.
While she's fairly new to the life of a mercenary, having only becoming one recently, when she decided to leave the tavern she was working at in the Last Village, and join Maygam's company.
"They still at it?" quietly asks Melmear, an orphan from here in the City of Ruins, just sixteen years old.
"They are" replies Imraness who though a teenager himself, he's been a mercenary for three years now.
After being kicked out of the guards of one of the churches in Eweteets, when he was fifteen years old.
"Across the way" continues Imraness, who follows that with "Away to the right of the site".
The site is an ancient ruin that's been recently dug up, which two of the largest mercenary companies down here in the City of Ruins, are fighting over.
Melmear pops her head up and looks in that direction. And sure enough, she sees a running skirmish between the two opposing mercenary companies.
There must be a good fifty or so in the fight, across open ground, and amongst some of the other ruins, quite close to the site.
The teenage girl, who in the summertime was serving drinks in one of the taverns in the Last Village.
Also notices that Imraness is looking sideways at her, admiring her.
Melmear knows she's not one you would call a classical beauty. But she is fuller figured, who many would call comely. That may men, and women for that matter, find attractive.
She learnt this during her time as a serving maid in one of the taverns in the Last Village.
Melmear knows that Maygam doesn't mind relationships amongst the company. But he preferred there wasn't.
And for the most part, those in the company adhere to that. Including Imraness, who she knows is attracted to her.
Besides, the two of them, are the only new hires with the group, that Maygam himself has with him.
As the mercenary captain is on the roof of the ancient building, right next to the one that Melmear and Imraness are on top of right now.
The teenage girl, who got hired for the simple reason she's quite handy with a dagger.
A skill she learnt working as a server in a tavern. Where more than a few of the customers. Mostly mercenaries and adventurers. Would put their hands on her, when she didn't want it.
Looks up and over Imraness beside her, to the roof of the ancient building to their right.
Trying to spot the mercenary captain, Maygam. Who has a fair bulk of his company with him at the moment.
As he, and most of them, observe the fight between two of the largest mercenary companies here in the City of Ruins.
A fight that's gone on for the better part of a week now, as they try to take possession of the recently dug up ruins.
Ruins that were dug up by some of the wild goblins in the area, who were trying to enlarge their home cavern.
They were ran off, when one of the two large mercenary companies found out about the site.
Now they're in a battle with one of their rival companies, who want the site for themselves.
Melmear can't see Maygam at the moment, but she does spot Lolmildíll, one of elven twins in the company.
The comely looking teenage girl from down here in the City of Ruins quickly drops her head back down.
When Lolmildíll turns his head and looks in her direction.
"What is it?" quietly asks Imraness "Lolm" is the reply from Melmear.
The older teenager originally from the city-state of Eweteets grimaces. As he, along with Melmear, and just about everyone else in the company.
Find the elven magic user to be more than a little creepy. And he's the nicer of the twins.
For the other, Gilvanéllé is a straight out nightmare to deal with, and be around.
Even those who have been in the company for a number of years. Wonders why Maygam continues to keep the elven twins around.
True, they're innovative and destructive with their magic when they want to be. Much to the benefit of the company as a whole.
But some of their behaviour one wouldn't normally tolerate in any other endeavour.
To say they're miscreants, and a little bent in their thinking. Is an understatement in the extreme.
The elven twins, who if rumours are true, are nobleborn. Have a number of unsavoury habits and behaviours.
Some of which, Melmear along with Imraness, don't want to see in person anytime soon.
The teenage girl from the Last Village. Knows that there's thieves, rapists and murderers amongst the company.
Hell, Imraness has admitted to her, he got kicked out of the church guards he was in for stealing.
But what she and the others have heard about the twins from the elven principality of Alínlae is anything to go by.
Murder, rape and theft, are some of the less depraved things the twins have got up during their lifetimes.
Melmear, who knows she was brought along with Maygam and the others.
So the mercenary captain can keep an eye on her, so as not to fall prey to any of the unscrupulous fellows in the company.
Knows that Imraness, is the only other new hire brought along with this group.
For the simple reason, that for an eighteen year old. He's a more than an accomplished swordsman.
Perhaps one of the best in the company, which he joined at the end of summer, start of autumn, just like Melmear.
And that if there was a master in the pit who could test and rank him, he could possibly be a blademaster, or even a swordmaster by now.
"Damn, they're desperate to get in there" quietly says Imraness, interrupting the thoughts of the comely looking teenager lying beside him on the flat rooftop.
Melmear pops her head up, and looks over the low wall infront of them, to where the two mercenary companies are fighting to take claim of the site.
She flinches as an explosion comes from somewhere near the fighting, sending sand and debris up into the late morning sky.
On what's a cool autumn day here in the giant hole in the ground. Within which is the ancient city of Dalphene. Or as it's more widely known as, the City of Ruins.
"Definitely desperate to get in there" quietly says Melmear, who after a brief pause, asks her fellow newbie "Who you got?" followed by "Hamblett's or Jarnok's?".
"Earlier in the week i would of said Jarnok" is the reply from the young swordsman from the city-state of Eweteets, who continues on with "But now I'm leaning towards Hamblett's bunch".
"Same" quietly says the full figured, attractive teenager from the Last Village, down here in the City of Ruins.
"I'm surprised one of the other large companies like Jorkamin's hasn't joined in the fight" adds Melmear.
Who though only sixteen, has lived all her life down here in the pit. Infact she's only been up out of the giant hole in the ground a handful of times.
And then only to the towns and villages up on the south edge of the pit.
And she knows a lot about the various mercenary companies down here in the ancient city of Dalphene.
And that the only real competition to the companies of Jarnok and Hamblett. Is another large one, like captain Jorkamin's.
Maygam's mercenary company can't compete against one of those big ones.
True, his mercenary company is one of the more successful to be found down here in the pit.
But when it comes to military strength, his company just can't take on one of the large mercenary companies making a living down here in the giant hole in the ground.
So that's why Maygam is doing what he does best. Waiting for the two larger companies to annihilate one another.
So that he can move in, and take from the site, any of the hidden treasures to be found inside, and underneath the freshly dug out ruins.
Unfortunately, as is always the case. His isn't the only mid sized mercenary company, or for that matter, a small mercenary company.
Observing the running battle between the mercenary companies captained by Jarnok and Hamblett.
There's quite a few of them up here, in the north of the pit, closely watching the battle between Hamblett's and Jarnok's mercenaries.
Infact one of the smaller companies in the area has already tried to sneak into the site, while the two battling companies were too busy to notice.
They were eventually noticed by first Jarnok's company, and then Hamblett's.
And the two rival mercenary companies had a brief truce as they both turned on the small mercenary company, that tried to sneak into the site, and try and locate any of the hidden treasure within.
They didn't last long, as that small company was absolutely annihilated by the two larger mercenary companies.
Who after they wiped out that small company to a man, they went back to trying to destroy one another as they continue to fight over the freshly uncovered ruins.
And with there being a number of other companies watching what's going on between Jarnok's and Hamblett's companies.
Conflict has occurred between some of them. And Maygam's company hasn't been immune from that.
As they've had a few quick skirmishes against other mercenary companies over the last week or so, since they've been up here in the northern part of the ancient city of Dalphene.
Or as it's more commonly called, the City of Ruins.
"You didn't see anyone sneaking around did you?" asks Imraness with a glance sideways at the younger teen lying beside him.
"No one" is the reply from Melmear, who continues with "That doesn't mean no one's about".
The young swordsman from the city-state of Eweteets, where he previously served as a guard to one of the many churches there.
Nods in agreement with the orphan teenager who is from here in the pit.
Then the two of them look away to the left along the roof, to where another of the company is the lookout at the corner of the rooftop.
"Movement" says the lookout, followed by "Away to the southeast, heading our way".
Imraness nods, and repeats that to the next mercenary along to his and Melmear's right.
Eventually word gets to those on the roof of the ancient building to the right. Where Maygam, the captain of the company is.
The two newbies to the company look that way, and see that the elven magic user Lolmildíll has got into a crouch and is looking that way.
A short time later after the elven spellcaster has dropped back down to lie flat on that roof.
Word gets to the rooftop that Melmear and Imraness are on. That Lolmildíll has identified who it is that's approaching from the southeast.
"Wonder if they were successful?" quietly says Melmear after hearing it's Uren, and some of the others with the second in command, who are heading this way from the southeast.
"I'd guess so" says Imraness, as they like the others know. That Uren and those of the company with her, were to ambush another lot of mercenaries this morning.
Who if rumours were correct, had found some fairly decent treasure somewhere just to the north of the neutral zone.
Here in the giant hole in the ground, within which is the City of Ruins, or as it was once called, Dalphene.
Melmear nods in agreement with what the young swordsman from the city-state of Eweteets just said.
As everyone in the company, from new hires like the two of them. To those who have been with it, ever since Maygam created the company.
Know that Uren gets things done, for she is one the reasons why their company.
Which isn't one of the biggest down here in the pit, nor is it amongst the smallest.
Is so successful in what they do. Which is taking the treasure and valuables, off others.
After they've done all the hard work, and dug it up out of the ground. Or found it within one of the ruins.
Melmear who realises that things will soon intensity for Maygam's mercenary company.
Now that Uren and those with her, rejoin the bulk of the mercenary company. Who are up here in the north of the pit, with their captain, Maygam.
"With more of us up here" quietly says Imraness, who after a brief pause, continues with "I've got a feeling Maygam is going to do something".
Looking to where members of Jarnok's and Hamblett's companies are still fighting against one another near the site.
Melmear quietly says "What?" followed by "Against all of them?".
Imraness shakes his head no, then quietly says "Not them" he briefly pauses before adding "But against someone, that will effect what that lot are doing".
The comely looking young woman, from here in the City of Ruins can't fault that logic from the skilled swordsman from the city-state of Eweteets.
Because they all know, that Maygam is a bit of a genius when it comes to the conflicts between mercenary companies down here in the pit.
It's why he and his company are so successful in scrounging off what they can take from others.
"Let us hope so" murmurs Melmear the mercenary, as they continue to watch the running battle between the mercenary companies led by Hamblett and Jarnok.
Whilst waiting for the second in command of their own company, Uren to show up with the others with her . . . . . .