The Find 64.

Autumn.

The ancient city of Dalphene. The City of Ruins. Northern central region of the Southlands.
They walk through the fog, going by a few dead bodies. Mercenaries killed during the night.
Those in the front slow down, as their naturally enhanced eyesight shows them an outline of an ancient ruin just up ahead.
Those behind them take a little bit longer to see what was a building over fifteen hundred years ago.
And is now just a shell of what it was originally. When the ancient city of Dalphene was on the otherside of the world.
Before it was brought here by Kor, one of the Greater Dragons of Volunell.
They bunch up slightly when they start seeing figures up against the ancient ruin.
Some standing back against it, others leaning against it. One, then two they see crouching infront of it.
While a couple of others are sitting on some rubble that's next to what was the front wall of the ancient building.
They come to stop a bit before the ancient ruin. Knowing that even in the fog of the early morning. Those here at this particular ruin, can clearly see them, as they're only thirty or so feet away from them.
While his twin brother Gilvanéllé the elven magic user watches those infront of the ancient building.
Lolmildíll the elven magic user glances back at Maygam the mercenary captain, and slightly nods his head.
Maygam, with his second in command Uren, steps forward to stand beside the elven twins who hail from the principality of Alínlae.
While a bit behind them, waits a fair few of the company that Maygam has brought along with them.
"They know we're here then?" whispers Maygam the mercenary captain.
"Definitely" is the whispered reply from Lolmildíll the elven magic user that Maygam is just able to hear.
"The cleric is one of those standing against the ruin" adds Lolmildíll in a murmur, who continues with "And the witch is one of those perched on that pile of rubble".
The mercenary captain nods his head, then he murmurs to the others "You know what to do".
The Maygam steps forward with his second in command Uren at his side. While the elven twins Lolmildíll and Gilvanéllé follow behind them.
With the others in the company they've brought along with them, staying back for the moment.
Now able to see some if not all of those standing and crouching infront of the ancient ruin.
Maygam immediately identifies the cleric in the half plate armour. A fairly large man, with a mace at his side.
Standing next to him, leaning back against the ancient ruin. Is another man, around the same height, but younger, and more muscular.
Who wears a long leather smock, like a blacksmith would wear. Who has a sword on one hip, and a hammer on the other.
Both seem extremely relaxed, and couldn't care less that Maygam and the others have walked through the fog and approached them.
The mercenary captain is surprised to find a knight standing near those two.
A large man, a couple inches over six foot. Who is incased in a suit of full plate armour. That gleams in the dull early morning sunshine that's able to penetrate the fog.
Maygam can't identify which order the knight belongs to, as he looks at the tabbard on the knight's breastplate.
He figures the elven twins Lolmildíll and Gilvanéllé might know. As the two of them have been around a lot longer than he has.
And no doubt have run across many a knight, from numerous orders throughout the years.
The mercenary captain looks to the right of those three, and the pair crouching down infront of the shell of the building.
He's briefly taken aback, as one of them isn't crouching, they're just short.
It's a halfling, wearing a dark leather vest beneath his cloak. Who has a black cloth wrapped around his throat and neck.
That Maygam figures can easily be pulled up to cover his face from the bridge of the nose down.
Next to the hobbit, is someone even odder. A fairly short man by the looks of it. Who is wearing the strangest white clothing the mercenary captain has ever seen.
But what's odder than that, is the conical shaped hat the crouching figure has upon his head.
That fellow has no weapons, with the exception of a staff that's up against what remains of the front wall of the ancient ruin.
Further to the right of those two stands two others. A tall individual, the tallest one so far, who is in gray hooded cloak.
That person moves their head slightly, and Maygam catches the sight of elven features within the hood of that person's cloak.
The mercenary captain slightly nods his head as he sees that elf has a longbow over his left shoulder.
Maygam knows this is the one who shot some of Hamblett's company in the battle during the night.
Just outside the system of tunnels and underground chambers that the mercenary captain and his company took shelter in.
Directly to the right of the elf in the gray hooded cloak, stands a young woman in leather armour. Who he sees has a crossbow across her back.
Maygam sees that the young woman, who must be in her late teens or earlier twenties is tall and lean.
Not to mention extremely attractive to the eye of one of the more successful mercenary captains plying their trade down here in the giant hole in the ground.
In which is the ancient city of Dalphene, more commonly called the City of Ruins.
Further to the right of them, is a lone figure all in black. Covered in a black hooded cloak.
That individual is about six foot tall. And though Maygam doesn't know why. It's this ominous looking figure who has a strange looking double bladed weapon strapped to his back.
That he's most weary of, and should be most cautious of, if he hopes to learn what's going on.
The mercenary captain looks away to the pile of rubble just to the side of the ancient ruin.
There sits two others, one the witch that Lolmildíll identified. Maygam sees she's a pretty looking woman not that tall, with short dark hair, who looks to be in her earlier twenties.
Sitting next to her is a young man, maybe in his late teens if Maygam was to guess.
And like the cleric, is wearing half plate armour. Though not as heavy as the one worn by the cleric.
Those two sitting on the rubble, are just like the others. All pretty relaxed, looking like they couldn't care less that the mercenary captain and a fair few of his company have walked through the fog, and stopped not all that far infront of them. And the empty shell of a building that they're all infront of.
Seeing as none of them look like they're going to speak, as they stand, crouch and sit there looking at Maygam and his mercenaries.
It's the mercenary captain who speaks up with "Greetings" followed by "And good morning".
Maygam looks around them, lifting an eyebrow in what can only be considered as a sardonic gesture.
As the autumn morning isn't particularly good. As it's cold, and quite foggy down here in the pit.
In which is the ancient city of Dalphene, known far and wide as the City of Ruins.
To the surprise of the mercenary captain, it's the young man in the half plate armour next to the witch, sitting on the pile of rubble who speaks up, and says "Greetings".
He gestures at Maygam his second in command Uren, and the elven twins Gilvanéllé and Lolmildíll as he adds "If you could tell your elven magic users there captain they're wasting their time" followed by "They won't find out anything we don't want them to find out".
Maygam slightly nods his head when he hears Lolmildíll behind him murmur "He's right".
The mercenary captain can only imagine the twin brothers from the elven principality of Alínlae are seething at that.
Especially Gilvanéllé, the more temperamental of the two elven spellcasters.
"You seem to have us at a disadvantage" says Maygam the mercenary captain who continues with "You seem to know who we are, but unfortunately we don't know who you are".
Maygam, who though has only a middling sized company compared to others down here in the pit.
Is one of the more successful mercenary captains operating down here in the City of Ruins.
Then says "Though you don't have us at too much of a disadvantage" as he glances back to the forty or so of his company that he's brought along with him, Uren, Lolmildíll and Gilvanéllé.
The young man perched on the pile of rubble doing all the talking, faintly smiles then says "Captain, if you haven't figured out already, numbers don't mean anything to us".
He briefly pauses before continuing with "All those bodies from your rival's company that you've been looting this morning is proof of that".
The young man in the half plate armour then says "It doesn't matter if you had brought along the rest of the company you've left behind in the nearby tunnels and underground chambers, they still wouldn't make a difference if say, something untowards would happen".
Who the hell is this lot? Maygam the mercenary captain thinks to himself, as he realises he better be cautious here.
For he's certain the young man speaks the truth. And that they, this small group, were the ones who ambushed Hamblett's company during the night. Wiping out a fair chunk of Hamblett's mercenary company.
The mercenary captain is silent for a few moments as he thinks things through.
Then Hamblett, who hopes his mercs, especially the elven twins Lolmildíll and Gilvanéllé don't do anything stupid.
Quietly says to the young man doing all the talking while the rest of the group watches on "I gather you want to discuss something with us".
The young man in the half plate armour faintly smiles, then says "As a matter of fact captain Maygam we do".
He stands up off the pile of rubble he's been sitting on, and glances at the side of the ancient ruin.
The mercenary captain involuntarily steps back, as does his second in command Uren beside him.
As around from the back of the part of the front wall of the ancient ruin steps two figures.
The first is surprise in itself. As it's quite possibly the largest man that Maygam has ever seen.
Standing about six foot seven inches in height, incased in a full suit of plate armour, that's black in colour, with a hint of blue to it.
That isn't itself that surprising, nor is the hilt of the massive sword sticking up over the man's full helmed head.
But what is surprising, is the magetube he's casually got on his right shoulder.
Weighing like it's nothing, when it's obviously well over a thousand pounds in weight.
Even more shocking is the figure following him. That Maygam immediately recognises.
He's seen one before, many years ago, infact nearly twenty years ago when he was a youngster in the city of Ewteets.
As one was to be publicly executed, until it escaped the moment of it's execution.
When a series of explosions ripped apart the city square where the public hanging was taking place.
"Fucking hell, by the forest gods that's an ork" murmurs a startled Gilvanéllé the elven magic user.
Maygam nods in agreement with the elven noble from the principality of Alínlae.
The mercenary captain sees that the ork has a magetube as well, on one of it's shoulders.
While on the other shoulder, is a robed figure, unconscious by the looks of things.
Maygam realises these are the people who haven't just wiped out a lot of Hamblett's company.
But have destroyed Jorkamin's warships, and wyverns. As well as the rift that exploded in the middle of the night, that resulted in two massive explosions that rocked the northern half of the pit.
The mercenary captain clears his throat, a little nervously, then he says "What is it that you want to discuss?".
It's the large figure in the dark plate armour who speaks, as he does Maygam is sure the temperature drops around them.
"There's someone in your company captain we'd like to speak with concerning something" says the large, heavily armoured figure who has a nine foot long, twelve hundred pound magetube resting on his right shoulder like it weighs nothing.
"Oh?" says Maygam the mercenary captain who is wondering what the hell is going on.
"Who would that be?" asks the mercenary captain, who then frowns when the large figure, in the dark full plate armour tells him who.
"One of new hires" Uren the mercenary murmurs to Maygam, who nods in understanding.
"I know of them" says the mercenary captain as he realises the one they want is amongst the group that Gilvanéllé spotted up in the very north of the pit yesterday.
Maygam then says "They're not with us at the moment" followed by "Though hopefully they should show up today or tomorrow" he then silently adds, i hope.
The mercenary captain then asks "What do you want with them?".
"Nothing you need to know" says the large, heavily armoured figure, who then adds "But to set your mind at ease, we have an offer for them".
He briefly pauses before continuing with "And to prove that, we have something here for you, that we offer in good faith".
He then points infront of Maygam and Uren, and says something in guttural language they don't understand.
The ork grunts then moves forward, the mercenary captain and his second in command screw up their faces in disgust at the stench coming off the ork.
Who stops a few feet infront of them, and shrugs the unconscious figure off it's shoulder, before turning around and walking back to the large figure in the dark plate armour.
Maygam looks down, and blinks in surprise as he sees who is lying unconscious on the ground infront of him.
"Holy shit" says a stunned Maygam the mercenary captain, who after a moment's pause adds "Darmos the wizard" . . . . . .

The Find 63.

Autumn.

The giant hole in the ground. Also known as the pit. In which is the ancient city of Dalphene. Also known as The City of Ruins.
"Over here" quietly calls out Uren the mercenary as she and Lolmildíll the elven magic user crouch beside half a wall.
Others in the company make their way through the fog towards them. And when they join them, Uren quietly tells them "Search them" followed by "Take anything of worth" she then adds "Weapons, armour, food, coins, anything".
The mercs nod, then spread out and start searching the dead bodies opposite one of the tunnel entrances, that Maygam's company are using.
Uren, who is the second in command of the company, glances at the elven spellcaster beside her, and she quietly asks him "Any others close by?".
"There's some more to the south of us" is the quiet reply of Lolmildíll the elven magic user.
The nobleborn elf from the principality of Alínlae, then looks down at one of the dead mercs.
Pointing at the dead body, Lolmildíll or Lolm as he's more commonly called by the others in the company, quietly says "From Hamblett's company".
The effete sounding elf briefly pauses before he continues with "I remember playing cards against him last year in one of the taverns at the southern end of the pit".
Uren, the second in command of the company, looks at Lolm with raised eyebrows.
For the elven magic user along with his twin brother Gilvanéllé, aren't exactly known for their social interactions.
Especially with those from other mercenary companies down here in the ancient city of Dalphene.
They're more likely to kill someone than to play a friendly game of cards with.
Seeing the sceptical look on the face of the female mercenary, the elven spellcaster from the principality of Alínlae, faintly smiles then quietly tells her "It was for a lot of coin".
"Makes sense" murmurs the second in command of Maygam's company who looks over at one of their fellow mercs, searching one of the dead bodies from Hamblett's company.
And watches as he strips the dead body of a coin pouch, and an armoured vest. As well as taking the dead mercenary's shortsword.
Uren then looks to the south through the fog that's blanketed the City of Ruins.
Coming in just before dawn, now it's settled in and is quite thick in places. With only an occasional breeze to shift some of it along.
"Damn fog, can't see shit in this weather" mutters the second in command of the company.
"At least it's not as cold this morning as it was yesterday" quietly says the elven noble from the principality of Alínlae.
Uren just grunts to that as she continues to peer through the fog, while the others continue to strip anything of value from the dead bodies that are scattered about.
"Not that i can truly tell" quietly says Uren, who continues with "I'm not exactly seeing the dead of any other company".
She follows that with "This lot all seem to be from Hamblett's company if I'm not mistaken".
Lolmildíll nods in agreement as he has noticed the same thing. You can tell the way the dead lie. None of them look to of killed one another.
Then he and Uren move around the ancient wall, when one of the company calls them over to look at something.
"Look at the size of that arrow" quietly says one of the mercs in Maygam's company, who continues on with "And another one just over there" followed by "They're definitely from a longbow".
Lolm crouches down next to the first body, and has a closer look at the yard long arrow sticking out of the back of the dead mercenary from Hamblett's company.
"Not just any longbow" quietly says the elven magic user, who then adds "But an elven longbow" he then explains "You can tell by the fletching".
Uren nods, and takes Lolm's word for it after he pulls out the arrow and shows her the fletching of the more than three foot long arrow.
Then as Lolmildíll looks around through the fog, Uren sends some of the mercenaries back to the nearby tunnel with everything they took of value off the dead mercenaries.
The second in command then sets off with the elven spellcaster at her side. With the others following closely behind them, as they head south through the fog.
Heading to the next batch from Hamblett's company, who were attacked and killed during the night.
It's not long before they come across the first of the bodies, and Uren orders them stripped of everything of value.
After she helps one of the others strip a dead merc from Hamblett's company of anything of worth.
The second in command of Maygam's company walks over to where Lolmildíll is standing.
The fog isn't so thick here, and you can see for a bit in most directions as the elven magic user points things out.
"See there" quietly says the elven noble from house Jilenthàl in the principality of Alínlae.
"And there, and there" adds Lolm as he points things out to the woman who is the second in command of the company.
"An explosion did that lot in" says the elven mercenary, followed by "And another one over there".
Uren nods as she sees it, besides some of the dead bodies are burnt and ripped apart. A sure sign that they were caught up in an explosion of some kind.
"We heard a few explosions during the night" quietly says Uren the mercenary.
Lolmildíll the elven magic user nods in agreement, then he turns around and says "Someone's coming".
It turns out to be his twin brother Gilvanéllé, along with the mercenary captain Maygam, and others in the company who walk out of the fog.
"Help them out" quietly says Maygam the mercenary captain pointing to those who are stripping the dead bodies of anything they can use.
As the mercs that Maygam brought along with him, hurry to do that. Uren quietly asks the mercenary captain "How was it the other way?".
As Maygam, Gilvanéllé and the others went north of the tunnel they came out of at dawn.
While she and Lolmildíll, and the others in company she brought along. Made their way south, here on the east side of the tunnels and chambers the company are using for shelter.
"Not as many up that way, as down here" quietly says Maygam the mercenary captain.
"Which isn't all that surprising, considering most of the fighting we heard was down this way" adds the mercenary captain who knows he's rather fortunate that so many of his company has survived what's happened over the last couple of days.
Here to the north of the neutral zone in the giant hole in the ground, in which lies the ancient city of Dalphene, known far and wide as the City of Ruins.
"Think this fog will clear away anytime soon?" quietly asks Maygam as he looks at the elven twins from the principality of Alínlae.
Gilvanéllé or Gil as he's more commonly called by the others in the company.
Or Gilvan as his brother Lolm tends to call him. Just shrugs his shoulders in response to that.
While his twin brother Lolmildíll quietly says "Who knows" followed by "Could be here all morning, considering how little wind there is down here most days".
Maygam grunts at that, and true the fog is obscuring what's going on in the area, as well as further away down here in the pit.
It's also obscuring what they're up to first thing this morning. Taking from the dead who fought outside the tunnels and chambers where his company holed up during the night.
"I don't know if you noticed cap" quietly says Uren the mercenary, who continues with "They're all from Hamblett's company".
The second in command of the company then adds "Haven't found a single one from whoever it was that was fighting them last night".
Maygam frowns then looks first at Gilvanéllé, then Lolmildíll, both of whom nod their heads yes.
The mercenary captain then looks at his second in command, who also nods as she says "I'm pretty certain of it cap" followed by "You can tell by the way the bodies lie across the ground".
Maygam quickly looks at some of the nearby dead, then slowly nods his head as he sees what Uren means.
"Why I'll be damned" murmurs the mercenary captain, who then quietly adds "That's a bit odd".
He looks at his second in command and the elven twins, and quietly says to them "With all that we heard last night, you'd expect Hamblett's lot to of killed someone they were fighting against".
Maygam continues with "I might give Hamblett shit because of what happened between us in the past".
The mercenary captain follows that with "Even so, he and his company aren't push overs, and they know what they're doing in fight, even if they were ambushed last night".
Maygam gestures around them, then quietly says "There should be at least some of those who attacked them who got killed".
Uren is just about to suggest that maybe those who ambushed Hamblett's company last night, took their dead away with them.
When suddenly the elven twins Lolmildíll and Gilvanéllé spin around to the south and peer away into the fog in that direction.
"What is it?" quickly asks Maygam the mercenary captain.
"Spellcasters" is the reply from Lolm who continues with "A powerful cleric and another".
Gil nods in agreement with his twin brother, then he says "A witch of some kind" followed by "They're fairly close, less than a hundred yards".
Maygam frowns then quietly says "How they get so close without you two knowing about them?".
"Holding their powers within themselves until just now" is the reply from effete sounding Lolmildíll.
The mercenary captain nods, then he asks "They doing anything?" followed by "Heading this way at all?".
The twin brothers from the elven principality of Alínlae are silent for a few moments as they sense away to the south of them.
Then the slightly taller of the two, Gil who has blond, almost white coloured hair quietly says in a thoughtful tone of voice "No, they're not moving around that much".
Nodding his head in agreement with his twin brother Gilvan, Lolm says "They're staying put for the moment".
"Wonder what they're up to?" murmurs the mercenary captain, his second in command is thinking the exact same thing.
"Think they know we're here?" quietly asks Maygam as he looks from his second in command to the elven spellcasters.
"Maybe, who knows" quietly says Gilvanéllé the elven magic user, his twin brother nods in agreement.
"They probably do if there's a dwarf or elf with them" quietly adds Gil who is quite well known amongst the mercenary companies down here in the pit.
"They probably do" says Uren the mercenary who tells Maygam and Gilvanéllé about the arrows shot from an elven longbow that she and Lolm found in a couple of the dead from Hamblett's company.
"Hmmmm" murmurs the mercenary captain, who thinks about things for a few moments.
"Cap?" quietly asks the second in command of the company.
"Just thinking about something" quietly says Maygam, who then quietly adds "Good bet they're part of those who took out Hamblett's lot".
"More than likely" says Uren the mercenary, the twin brothers from the elven principality of Alínlae nod in agreement with her.
"Well" says the mercenary captain, who pauses for a moment, before he continues with "Let's go and see who they are" followed by "And what they're up to" . . . . . .

The Find 62.

Autumn.

In the north of the central region of the Southlands. Within the giant hole located there. Lies the ancient city of Dalphene. More commonly called The City of Ruins.
"Bad?" asks Jorkamin the mercenary captain with a grimace of pain.
"Could be worse" says Jenin the sorceress, who continues with "You could be dead".
"Thanks" sourly says the mercenary captain as he lays there in pain.
He takes a deep breath, then says to the practitioner of magic "Well go ahead, get it over with".
The sorceress nods her head, then she casts a healing spell upon the mercenary captain, who promptly falls asleep.
Jorkamin wakes up later, finding himself somewhere else, lying on a bedroll, with a thick blanket covering him.
It's fairly gloomy as he looks around, and he realises he's in a room in one of the ruins the company uses here in the northern half of the pit.
The mercenary captain winces as he suddenly remembers what happened last night.
Then he lifts up the thick blanket and looks down at himself. He faintly smiles as he finds himself in one piece.
After what happened last night, when the tower he was up, collapsed all around him, basically falling on him.
Which he was lucky to survive, and to get dug out of by others in the company.
"Fucking hell" mutters Jorkamin as he recalls the massive explosion that nearly killed him.
Then he scowls in disgust as he recalls that not only did he lose his second warship, but he also lost another wyvern and it's rider.
He lets out a sigh of frustration, then sits up, and is about to call out, when the wooden door to the room opens.
And the sorceress Jenin enters, followed by Marissa, who is holding a lamp.
"How are you cap?" asks Jenin, who is one of the spellcasters in the largest mercenary company down here in the City of Ruins.
"Better" says Jorkamin, who continues on with "Thanks".
The mercenary captain looks at Marissa, and asks her "Still nighttime?".
With a shake of her head, Marissa the mercenary says "Dawn cap" followed by "Damn foggy out there at the moment".
Jorkamin grunts when he hears that, then recalling what happened during the night, he asks "Any word about Darmos?".
The two women share a look, then the sorceress Jenin says "He's most likely dead cap".
The practitioner of magic follows that with "Those two explosions that destroyed his rift were massive".
She continues with "It's a miracle you and a handful of others survived the one at this end".
Jorkamin winces, then the mercenary captain asks "How many did we lose there?".
After another shared look between the women, it's Marissa who answers with "With the forty or so who went through the rift with Darmos" she briefly pauses before adding "Nearly sixty were still in the ancient building next to the tower you were up".
Once more Marissa pauses, before continuing with "We pulled you and three others out of the tower" followed by "And we dug out eight who were still alive in the building next to it".
The mercenary captain grimaces then he mutters "Fuck". As he works out he's lost nearly a hundred of his company in those explosions that destroyed the rift that Darmos had cast.
That's at least a third of all those he has here to the north of the neutral zone of the City of Ruins.
"Send word south to bring up more of the company" says Jorkamin the captain of the largest mercenary company down here in the giant hole in the ground.
"I've already done that cap" says Marissa, who is one of Jorkamin's officers in the company.
"Did that when you were out" adds Marissa, who follows that with "They've started arriving".
The mercenary captain grunts, then with a nod of his head, he murmurs "Good".
Jorkamin then slightly winces as he realises that he no longer has a second in command of the company with Darmos dead.
He lets out a sigh, then with the help of Jenin the sorceress he stands up. He's a little wobbly at first.
But he walks back and forth a few times across the room, and he's soon steady on his feet.
Looking at Marissa, he says to her "Marissa you're now acting second".
Jorkamin didn't have an actual second in command of the company. Just that he basically treated Darmos as his second.
As the second in command of any mercenary company is truly a position of power.
For if the captain of the company dies. The second takes over the company fully. Though they might have to fight others to do so.
"If i die, the company is yours" says Jorkamin who follows that with "If that happens, there's a couple of things i want you to do".
He pauses for a moment or two, before he continues on with "Make sure you wipe out Hamblett and Jarnok's companies" followed by "And whoever it was that was responsible for destroying our ships, and the wyverns" he then adds "The ones who destroyed that rift that Darmos cast".
"Will do cap" says Marissa the mercenary as she realises the massive responsibility that Jorkamin has placed upon her if anything was to happen to him.
"But for now, we're going to find whoever the fuck did that to us last night and kill them" says Jorkamin the mercenary captain, followed by "And continue our battle with Jarnok and Hamblett".
"How is he?" asks Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit as he looks at the wizard that lord Farque captured during the night.
"Still out" says Mira Reinholt the mage who has just woken up after taking a nap.
"Must of got knocked the fuck out" murmurs the halfling who like the once powerful mage, is a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
His fellow councilor grunts in agreement, then gets up and starts packing his stuff up.
While the wizard Darmos lies there, still unconscious after being captured during the night.
"Foggy out there" states Jarjin Littlefoot, a former air sailor from the Sultanate of Dreese, a nation that lies on the far east coast of the continent. "Just settling in" adds the halfling who isn't what he appears to be, who continues on with "Pretty thick too".
The mage who is from the city-state of Vexil, his homeland he's in exile from, nods his head.
Then after he picks up his sword, and straps the double bladed weapon across his back.
The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster looks down at the unconscious wizard, and says "Fuck if I'm going to carry him".
When the mage Reinholt looks at his fellow councilor, the hobbit who previously served in the air fleet of the Sultan of Dreese, says "Don't look at me".
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 Jarjin Littlefoot.
Continues with "No way in hell I'm carrying him around" followed by "He's easily twice my weight and more".
The unconscious wizard in Jorkamin's mercenary company, isn't exactly slight.
He's a rather portly individual, who by the looks of him, hasn't exactly lacked any meals in recent times,
"Maybe i can get Beldane or Percy to carry him" murmurs the once powerful mage who rubs his chin as he thinks about it.
Then the two of them turn as they hear someone enter the ruins, coming through the next room along.
They both know who it is, as they can both hear the loud grumbling and growling in a language they don't understand. A language they don't want to understand.
Dorc da Orc walks into the room, and with barely a grunt at Mira Reinholt the mage and Jarjin aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman.
The large ork picks up the right leg of the unconscious wizard who was captured during the night.
The ork warleader turns, and with every intention of not picking up the captured spellcaster.
He takes a step, intending to drag the wizard Darmos behind him. The ork weaponsmith grunts again at the two councillors.
And just as he's about to walk out of the room, he suddenly stops as a shout in the ork language can be heard from outside.
The big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world sourly smiles.
Then he picks the unconscious wizard completely up off the ground, and slings the mercenary spellcaster up over his right shoulder.
The large ork, who is the son of the former matriarch of the wolf tribe of orks.
Exits the room, after grunting again at the halfling who is a former air sailor. And the spellcaster, who was once the most powerful mage of his generation. To be found anywhere in the Southlands.
Until he was stripped of most of his powers when he went offworld through a rift/void spell that he accidentally cast a number of years ago.
The Vexilian mage in exile, and the hobbit who is a former air sailor, share a look, before they follow the warleader of the ork race out of the room, then outside.
Stepping outside, the mage Reinholt lifts the hood of his cloak up, and places it on his head.
The practitioner of magic who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, looks around at the foggy environs.
As Dorc da Orc wanders off to where lord Farque is standing, while Beldane the cleric walks over to the two councilors.
"A word with you Mira" quietly says Beldane the cleric.
The mage Reinholt yawns, and leans back against the ruin he was just in, and says "Go ahead".
"A bit of a problem" quietly says the powerful cleric who hails from the kingdom of Nastell.
"Oh?" says the exiled Vexilian mage, who is suddenly interested in what Beldane has to say.
So is Jarjin Littlefoot, who is standing next to his fellow councilor, the swordmaster Reinholt.
The fighting cleric in the church of Glaine explains the problem he has. As he does, Mira Reinholt frowns then nods in understanding.
"Saanea is having the same problem" quietly says the powerful spellcaster, who continues with "She can do it for longer, but i don't know how long she can hold out for".
Beldane briefly pauses before continuing with "The two of us aren't as skilled and experienced as you are councilor".
"Hmmmm" murmurs the spellcaster who was the youngest ever member of the mage council of Vexil.
Until he was kicked off it, and sent into exile for betraying his homeland during the Battle of Vexil.
"Keep doing it for a bit" quietly says Mira Reinholt, who continues on with "I'll just go and have a word with Farque".
The once powerful mage heads off, and is followed by the halfling originally from the Sultanate of Dreese.
They find the undead warlord standing at the corner of the next ruin along. As usual, Dorc da Orc is with the large, heavily armoured deathlord.
The large ork is crouching down, with the unconscious wizard Darmos over his right shoulder.
"Bit of a problem" Mira Reinholt quietly tells the undead warlord, the once powerful mage follows that with "Beldane and Saanea, can't go too much longer with holding their power within themselves, especially the cleric".
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque who is looking away through the fog, turns his full helmed head and looks at the Vexilian mage in exile.
He's silent for a few moments, then lord Farque quietly says in the elven language "Have them hold for a bit longer".
The lord of the death realm continues with "Once they stop, they'll both be sensed fairly quickly".
"We close?" quietly asks Mira Reinholt the mage.
Lord Farque, who is also known by the name of Draugadrottin to the people of his lands, nods his full helmed head, and quietly says "Less than a hundred yards".
The councilor Reinholt grunts when he hears that, then he asks the undead warlord "Those elven twins?".
"Those elven twins" is the reply of the large, heavily armoured deathlord as he goes back to looking through the fog that's settled across the pit, on this cold autumn morning down here in the City of Ruins . . . . . .

The Find 61.

Autumn.

In and around the giant hole in the ground. In which is the ancient city of Dalphene. Also known as The City of Ruins.
They're up early, well before dawn. Packing away their things and gear that they have, things that they've actually brought with them.
After a fairly comfortable night in the old, ramshackle looking barn. The five of them make their way from it, and head off.
And though it's still cold, it doesn't feel as cold as it was during the middle of the night, or indeed yesterday evening.
As usual as they walk, it's Hilmik the dwarf in the lead with Zam the mercenary following closely behind him.
Next is Farnill and Melmear, with the leader of the small group of mercenaries from Maygam's company, Almard. Following behind the rest of them.
As they head across farmland as they continue southwards, just to the west of the giant hole in the ground.
The young dwarven warrior from the Colevar Mountains who is leading the way, notices something.
"Fog rolling in" quietly says Hilmik the dwarven mercenary who slows for young Zam to walk alongside him.
"Really?" asks a surprised Zam the mercenary, who then grunts as Hilmik gestures away to the southwest, and says "Yep".
The young dwarf, who like the others, is a recent hire in Maygam's company, then adds "It's settling down around us now".
In what little light there is before dawn this autumn morning, Zam looks down at the ground, and spots tendrils of fog down around his ankles.
"Don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing" quietly says the young teenage mercenary who is originally from the city-state of Kuradum.
"I agree" says the young dwarven warrior, whose clan hold is on the northern side of the Colevar Mountains.
Hilmik stops to allow the others to catch up, then he quietly tells them "Fog coming in" followed by "We'll want to keep close so we don't get lost".
"Definitely" says Almard the mercenary, who since he's joined the company has been Uren's helper.
Uren being the second in command of Maygam's mercenary company.
"What's that?" asks Melmear the mercenary, with a nod of her head away to the right, and south of them.
"Sheep" is the rather dry sounding reply from Hilmik the dwarven mercenary.
Who looks around before he continues with "There's no one around up here" followed by "Though i suspect that will change at first light when the local farmers come to check on their flocks and herds".
They start walking again, this time more bunched up than they usually do.
Relying on Hilmik to alert the others of any danger, as they walk through the darkness before dawn.
As they head south, the dwarven warrior in the lead informs the others that another magetube fired down in the pit after they had gone back to sleep.
When the previous ones and the large explosions woke them up in the middle of the night.
Though this time, it was just a single magetube shot which though Hilmik heard, he didn't see.
Unlike the earlier ones that destroyed an airship, and killed a wyvern.
Both of which they guessed, correctly as it turns out. Belonged to the mercenary captain Jorkamin and his company.
As the others start noticing the fog, and feel it as it starts to settle down in this area just west of the giant hole in the ground.
In which is the ancient city of Dalphene, known more commonly as the City of Ruins.
Hilmik the dwarven mercenary quietly says "Who knows what they were shooting at that last time".
The young dwarven warrior from the Colevar Mountains continues with "Hate to of been on the receiving end of that".
"That's for sure" quietly says Farnill the mercenary from the middle of the group as they continue southwards across the open countryside and farmland.
Here to the west of the pit, down in which is the ancient city of Dalphene. Where the rest of the company are at the moment.
The five of them, who started off as six, until Imraness was killed yesterday afternoon.
Were separated from the rest of Maygam's company who were to the north of the neutral zone, down in the City of Ruins.
Now after making their way up and out of the pit late yesterday afternoon. And spending the night in an old barn less than a mile to the west of the giant hole in the ground.
They're making their way south to the southern end of the pit. So that they can go down the giant ramps there.
And head back down into the ancient city of Dalphene. And the towns and villages in the southern end of the pit.
One of which, known as the Last Village, is essentially a place that Maygam has under his control.
Zam who can now see more of the fog, looks away to the east, across the pit, in the direction the sun will rise from.
The teenage mercenary who hails from the city-state of Kuradum, where he failed to get in the nation's army, as well as the city guard of Kuradum.
Sees things are lightening up in that direction, a sure sign that it's false dawn, and that true dawn will soon be here with the sun rising above the horizon to the east.
He also sees more of the fog has swept in, and will soon be over the pit, no doubt settling down into the City of Ruins fairly quickly.
"Looks like it's going to be pretty foggy down in the pit" quietly says Zam the mercenary as he walks alongside the young dwarven warrior who is originally from the Colevar Mountain range.
The dwarven mercenary looks that way, and sees the fog is getting  thicker, especially over the pit.
"Looks like it" quietly says Hilmik the dwarf, who after looking back at the others, making sure that they keep close, adds "That will definitely make things a lot harder down there".
At the back of the group, listening to Hilmik and Zam out infront. Almard the mercenary nods his head in agreement with what the young dwarven warrior just said.
Almard, the most experienced of the group with the exception of Hilmik. Who might be young for a dwarf, he's way more experienced than the rest of them.
Can now see the fog that's around them, as there's now a faint light away on the horizon to the east.
As the sun is about to rise on what feels like it's going to be another cold autumn day, though not as cold as it was yesterday.
Almard looks ahead again, and sees that Hilmik has stepped to one side, to allow the others to pass by. With the young Zam now leading the way.
The dwarven warrior walks alongside Almard for a little bit, quickly looking back in the direction they've come from.
Noticing the look back from Hilmik, Almard the mercenary quietly asks him "What is it?".
"I think someone might be back there" quietly says the young dwarven warrior.
Almard's eyebrows shoot up when he hears that, and he quietly asks "You sure?".
Hilmik shrugs his shoulders, then quietly says "Not really" followed by "Best to think there might be someone back there".
He briefly pauses before continuing on with "If there is someone out there, whoever it is they know how to move quietly in this fog".
Knowing that the dwarven mercenary's eyesight is far superior to his own, Almard quietly asks him "Will you be able to spot them?".
"If they get close enough" is the quiet reply of Hilmik the dwarven warrior, who then adds "I should be able to".
He left the northern end of the pit during the night. Something he doesn't do all that often.
Though there was good reason too, as there was a few too many wild goblins prowling around the very north of the pit.
Not wanting to be found by them, as they would take everything he has, and probably his life too.
He left the pit, and avoiding even more of the wild goblins who were up on the open countryside to the north of the giant hole in the ground.
He headed west, as he thought that direction was as good as any. And it looked like some of those wild goblins had just been that way, before returning to the north side of the pit.
Once he was able to, he turned south and walked for a mile and half when he spotted an old ramshackle looking barn in the distance as he realised be must of wandered onto one of the farms here to the west of the City of Ruins.
Unfortunately for him, he saw someone in the distance, looking to be standing guard next to the old run down barn.
He realised that the barn was occupied this night. And he was out of luck, and had to find somewhere else to hole up.
He found a small depression in the ground near a few trees, he took shelter there.
Chewed on some of his hard tack, took his blanket from his pack, and wrapped himself up against the cold autumn night.
Though he fell asleep, he wasn't asleep for long. As he was woken by magetubes firing down in the nearby pit.
He stood up, and even from where he was, he watched the awesome display of the magetube shots in the night sky above the northern half of the City of Ruins.
He saw an airship explode and break apart when it was hit by a few magetube shots.
Magetubes that kept firing a little bit longer, before they finally silenced when he caught a glimpse of an explosion all the way over towards the eastern side of the giant hole in the ground.
He settled back down beneath the trees and went back to sleep. Briefly waking once more when he thought he heard the thud of a magetube firing again.
He was quickly asleep again, before finally waking up sometime before dawn.
With his stuff in his pack, he headed south, and soon found the old, ramshackle looking barn, which he finds empty.
From what he can tell, he figures five or six people took shelter here during the night.
He looks around for a bit, both inside and outside the old barn. And finds tracks heading south, and realises that those who were here, have got off to an early start.
He stands there thinking about something, then shrugs his shoulders as he figures he could do with some more supplies.
Which he can get down at the towns at the southern end of the giant hole in the ground.
Within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, known far and wide as the City of Ruins.
Heading off southwards, he soon spots fog coming in as he follows the tracks of those who spent the night in that old, ramshackle looking barn.
He looks away to the east, and sees that it's slowly brightening towards dawn as he walks through the fog that's settling in.
As he walks, he wonders if those he's following, were that small group of mercenaries he spotted yesterday afternoon, who also fled the pit.
Well, that was their intentions from what he could tell from watching them.
I wonder if it is them, Charles the goblin thinks to himself as he continues southwards through the fog, following the tracks on the ground of the people out infront if him.
As dawn takes effect here in this part of the northern, central region of the Southlands, on what's another cold autumn day . . . . . .

The Find 60.

Autumn.

The giant hole in the ground. The pit. The ancient city of Dalphene. The City of Ruins.
"Move" says Hamblett the mercenary captain who is helping one of his company along.
There's an arrow sticking out of the injured mercs side as Hamblett helps him along as they try to flee the carnage.
The mercenary captain who is just glad another magetube shot hasn't gone by.
Grunts as Rameeda the mercenary, his second in command, appears to their right.
And puts an arm around the waist of the injured mercenary who is now between the two of them.
"Who the fuck was that?" asks Hamblett as they scramble around a half fallen wall.
"No idea" is the reply of Rameeda the mercenary who is breathing heavily.
"Don't know if it was Maygam's company or not" adds the second in command of the company.
The mercenary captain just grunts when he hears that as they were attacked by others as they fled what appeared to be an ork. And another large individual, who was wielding a magetube like it was a crossbow.
"Move" says Hamblett when a few more of the company hurry in from the left.
"Keep moving" adds the mercenary captain, who continues with "Don't give them a target".
Then one of those who has just joined them, drops to the ground with a fairly long arrow sticking out of his back.
Rameeda, who clearly sees this, as it was right next to him, grimaces then says "They must have an elf with them".
The second in command of the company quickly continues with "That was from a bloody longbow" followed by "And it's still fairly dark, so it must be an elf".
Hamblett's winces as he thinks of an elven archer picking them off one by one in the dark as it gets closer and closer to dawn, as they continue to flee.
The mercenary captain who was hoping to do a surprise attack upon Maygam's mercenary company, inside some nearby tunnels and underground chambers.
Knows that the attack is a failure before it's even begun. With those of his company he's brought along with him. Lucky to survive what's happening this cold, autumn night down here in the pit.
In which is the ancient city of Dalphene, which is more widely known as the City of Ruins.
As more and more of the company joining up as they flee, and as Hamblett hears another of the company drop to the ground. And one of the others shouting out "Watch out, archer!".
The captain of one of the three largest, and most successful mercenary companies down here in the pit.
Soon finds himself carrying along essentially dead weight. As the merc he's been helping along, has fallen into unconsciousness.
And when Rameeda quietly says to him "He's dead cap" followed by "You can let him go".
Hamblett sighs as he and his second in command lower the dead merc to the ground.
Then the two of them continue on their way, hoping to get clear of the area before the sun starts to make an appearance.
Then they, along with the others in the company fleeing with them, hear a loud roar from somewhere behind them, in the direction they've come from.
"That ork" is what Hamblett hears Rameeda loudly mutter as the two of them, along with the others.
Continue to hurry away from this part of the pit, where the mercenary captain was hoping to attack his former friend, and now rival. Maygam and his company of mercenaries.
No such luck eh Hamblett? the mercenary captain thinks to himself with a shake of his head in disgust.
Then Hamblett nods, as Rameeda says "Around that tower, or what's left of it".
As up ahead, even though it's still fairly dark, and there's still a bit of time before dawn.
There's the base of one of the many towers found throughout the City of Ruins.
And true, there's not as many of them, or for that matter, any ruin, really.
Here to the north of what's essentially the neutral zone of the ancient city of Dalphene.
They're still pretty prevalent, as there's still a few broken towers, here in this part of the giant hole in that ground. Which the locals, and a fair few visitors, essentially those who don't live all that faraway. Call it, the pit more than anything else.
Hurrying around what's left of the tower, Hamblett stops and looks back around as more of the company hurry by.
Rameeda who has stopped beside him, says "Maybe those who went north to circle around to the west have made it".
"Maybe" says the mercenary captain, who knows that even if that's the case, those of the company who did. Won't have much success if the rest of them aren't there to help them.
As one of the mercs heading this way is knocked down, and another further back screams out in pain. Hamblett says to his second in command "Run".
The two of them turn and run, and flee with the rest of the company who have survived the surprise attack upon them.
The mercenary captain grimaces in anger as he runs, more than a little disgusted that their own attack didn't even really get going.
Hamblett somehow hopes they can make amends for what's happened on this cold, autumn night down here in the giant hole in the ground.
Within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, known far and wide as the City of Ruins.
"Anything else?" quietly asks Maygam the mercenary captain as they look out of the tunnel they're in.
"Nothing here" is the quiet reply of Lolmildíll the elven magic user, who then adds "Well, nothing close".
Next to him, his twin brother Gilvanéllé the elven magic user nods his head in agreement.
"Well, at least that's something" mutters the mercenary captain as he looks out of the tunnel entrance.
Maygam, who is pretty certain it was Hamblett's company out there getting attacked. By who, he's not exactly sure.
Quietly says to the twin brothers from the elven principality of Alínlae "It'll be near dawn soon"
The mercenary captain continues with "See what you can find out" followed by" followed by "Be careful though".
Behind him, his second in command Uren nods in agreement with him, she does so again when Maygam adds "Probably best if you go out there together".
And though the elven twins share a look. As they tend to only work together during combat.
Then both nod to the mercenary captain that they will head out a little later together.
Then the effete sounding Lolmildíll as he looks outside, quietly says "Might not see anything at the moment, but i can still hear things in the distance".
Nodding his head in agreement with his twin brother Lolmildíll, Gilvanéllé the elven magic user says "To the east".
The slender elf, with the blond almost white coloured hair continues with "Sounds like those who got attacked are fleeing".
Gilvanéllé or Gil as he's more commonly called by the others in the company, or Gilvan as his twin brother Lolmildíll tends to call him, then says "Pretty sure they're being chased".
Lolmildíll, or Lolm as he's more commonly called by the other mercs, including his brother, nods then quietly says "Sounds like it".
The mercenary captain turns as one of the company has come up the tunnel, and is speaking quickly with Uren.
The second in command then tells Maygam, and the twins Lolmildíll and Gilvanéllé "We've captured one near the entrance to the tunnel a couple to the south of this one".
"He's been brought to the main hchamber" adds Uren, who after a moment's pause, quietly continues with "He's in Hamblett's company alright".
"Let's go" says Maygam the mercenary captain who gestures back down the tunnel.
He then says to the elven nobles from the principality of Alínlae "See what you can get from him before you head out".
Nodding his head, Gilvanéllé the elven magic user, who like his twin brother Lolmildíll, is quite well known throughout the mercenary community down here in the pit.
For all the wrong reasons though. As they're both killers, murderers more than anything else.
And that Gil has an even more unsavory reputation, as there's talk of him eating the dead he's killed, when he gets the chance.
Quietly says to the mercenary captain "He'll spill everything he's got" followed by "I guarantee it".
Hamblett hops down into a hole, it's a trench really, dug a long time ago. Hoping to divert water from one of the nearby ancient culverts.
And though many of the ancient culverts and aqueducts are dry and so gone, that water will never run through them again.
Some are still in working order, like the culvert nearby, that has water running through it.
As he trudges through the trench in the ground, with his second in command Rameeda walking alongside him in the trench.
Hamblett the mercenary captain quietly says "So much for that". After they help one of the company up, after the merc has tripped over, exhausted after what's happened.
With that mercenary hurrying along infront of them, staggering more than walking, Rameeda quietly says "It can't be helped cap".
The second in command of the company follows on from that with "We'll just have to find another way to deal with Maygam and his lot".
Hamblett grunts in reply to that, then after they climb up out of the trench in the ground, he looks back in the direction they've come from.
And though the mercenary captain spots a handful of the company still in the trench, or right next to it.
From what be can tell, it doesn't seem to be anyone following them. He sees no sign of what could be an ork, or the other large individual who was wielding a magetube as if it was a crossbow.
Hamblett thinks about something for a few moments, as it looks like things are starting to lighten up, as false dawn rapidly approaches.
Then the mercenary captain nods for them to resume on their way, as they do, Hamblett quietly says to his second in command "It was though whoever it was that attacked us, didn't want us getting anywhere near those tunnels and chambers that Maygam's in".
As they head back to the ruins where they're based, Rameeda quietly asks "Think it might not of been Maygam's company?".
"Unless there's an ork that's suddenly joined them" quietly says Hamblett, who continues on with "Which we and everyone else down here in the pit would of heard of. Then no, that lot wasn't with Maygam".
The second in command of the company nods his head, while the mercenary captain wonders who it is that he and his company blundered into, onto this cold autumn night.
Down here in the giant hole in the ground, in which is the ancient city of Dalphene, more commonly called the City of Ruins.
Now who are you lot? Hamblett thinks to himself, the mercenary captain then silently adds, and why did you stop us attacking Maygam and his company? . . . . . .

The Find 59.

Autumn.

Northern central region of the Southlands. The giant hole in the ground. The City of Ruins.
"Lord Farque and Dorc?" quietly asks Tovis the war engineer.
"Who else" dryly says Tamric Drubine the field commander as they watch in the distance, a magetube shot tearing across the ground as it heads north.
The large red ball of pure magical energy, can be seen for hundreds and hundreds of yards all around as it's the brightest thing around.
The young field commander in the armies of Farque, who is originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin, where he was from a noble family in the north of that nation.
Peers ahead when he hears Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy say "Move up" followed by "No one close at the moment".
Field commander Drubine, along with his lover Saanea the witch. As well as Tovis the war engineer.
Hurry ahead to where the spy Tanith is with Lisell Maera the scout, and Beldane the cleric.
They're soon followed by Shur Kee the monk and sir Percavelle Lé Dic. Last to join the rest, are the two councillors. Mira Reinholt the mage and Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit.
"Bit of fighting over that way" quietly says Beldane the cleric, who follows that with "Even i can hear it".
"Dorc and Farque" quietly says Dalinvardèl Tanith as the group crouch beside a pile of rubble and debris.
Jarjin Littlefoot nods his head in agreement with the spy Tanith, as he too spots Dorc da Orc and lord Farque away to the east of them.
They're heading northwards, in pursuit of some of the mercenaries in Hamblett's company.
"Anymore near us?" quietly asks Tamric Drubine the field commander.
"A small handful just up ahead" is the quiet reply of the elven spy who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of the principality of Alínlae.
"Think they're searching for one of the tunnels" adds the elf who is a company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque.
Field commander Drubine looks at the two councillors, Mira Reinholt and Jarjin Littlefoot. Both of whom slightly nod their heads.
Then the young noble originally from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin looks at the spy Tanith and quietly tells him "You and Lis take them out".
Tamric Drubine or Tam as he's called more often than not by those who know him well, continues with "Beldane back them up".
Then the young field commander in the armies of Farque asks "What time is it?".
After looking up at the sky on this cold autumn night, and sees that two of the moons are still up, though one is dropping quickly down to the horizon to the west.
Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by the others in the group, quietly says "It's closer to dawn than it is the middle of the night".
Tam nods when he hears that, then the young noble from the kingdom of Sarcrin who is a senior officer in the armies of Farque, nods for Dalin, Lisell Maera and Beldane the cleric to move off.
The spy from the elven principality of Alínlae, the scout from the city-state of Brattonbury, and the cleric from the kingdom of Nastell.
Get up, and make their way around the pile of rubble and debris, and head off.
The others wait a little while, before they too get up, head around the pile of debris, dirt and sand.
And follow after the trio of Dalinvardèl Tanith, Lisell Maera and Beldane the cleric.
Helbe the elven thief crouches down as he watches the magetube shot go rolling by his location. Just thirty feet to the left of the ruin he's on top of at the moment.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel watches it for a few more moments as it continues on it's destructive path northwards.
Then the highly talented and skilled elven magic user, who is crouched upon the corner of a roof that's partially intact. Of an ancient building that still has parts of two walls still standing.
Looks down and to his left, and sees more of the mercenaries in Hamblett's company passing by.
The elven masterthief who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel.
For a moment thinks they're going to head north, and get around to the otherside of the nearby tunnels and underground chambers.
But no, as the first of them slip by the ruins he's on top of, the elven master assassin who is a member of personal council to lord Farque.
Sees that they're heading towards the entrance of one of tunnels on this side.
"Where exactly is it?" whispers Helbe the elven thief as he continues to watch the mercenaries from Hamblett's company.
"There" is the whispered reply of Narladene the ground pixie, who is standing upon the right shoulder of the blurred and shielded elven magic user.
Looking to where the naturally magical creature points to, the elven master archer asks her in a whisper "And where are they?".
Knowing that the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel is referring to the elven twins Lolmildíll and Gilvanéllé. Who are members of Maygam's mercenary company.
Narladene the ground pixie points again, this time a bit further south than the tunnel she pointed out previously.
"There" is the murmured reply of the tiny winged creature who hails from the Sunreach Mountains.
"They're looking out of that tunnel mouth right now" quietly adds the ground pixie who is attached to the elven masterthief.
The grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel nods his hooded head, when he sees the two tunnels are only eighty feet apart.
Then he looks back down, and sees that mercs from Hamblett's company have all gone by his position.
And they're heading straight to the nearby tunnel. An obvious sign that at least one of them knows where they're going.
Glancing at the tiny winged creature on his right shoulder, the elven princeling from Laerel murmurs to her "Tell me if they do anything".
Referring to the elven twins from the principality of Alínlae who are part of Maygam's mercenary company.
After Narladene nods that she will. Helbe the elven thief floats down to the ground, and the blurred and shielded elven magic user follows after the mercenaries in Hamblett's company who are almost to one of the nearby tunnels.
The grandson of Prince Raendril of Laerel thinks of something, then he faintly smiles to himself when he decides on what spell to cast.
On the elven master assassin's right shoulder, Narladene the ground pixie smiles too when she senses what highly talented elven magic user is about to cast.
The mercenary leading the way pauses as he looks around, then he nods his head as spots what he's looking for.
The information given to him by Rameeda the mercenary is correct, as he spots the broken arch, beneath which is a tunnel entrance.
He watches it for a few moments, guessing, correctly as it turns out, that there's probably someone just back from the entrance, a lookout for Maygam's company.
The merc from Hamblett's company turns and is about to tell the others to rush the tunnel beneath the ancient, free standing arch.
When he's suddenly shoved over on to his side, and one of the others start shouting and yelling.
He lies there, blinking in surprise as he tries to take in what's happening.
Then he hisses "Quiet" to no avail, as one of the others looks to be attacking the rest of the group.
And when it looks like they can get him under control, another of the mercs turns on the rest.
"What the hell?" mutters the mercenary who is leading them as he gets up off the ground, and stands up.
He goes to help out, when suddenly without any reason, he draws his shortsword. And unable to control himself, he swings his sword at the nearest merc in the group.
He tries to scream at himself to stop, but all that comes out is an animal sounding growl as his blade slams into the neck of his fellow company member.
"Fighting away to the left" quietly says the lookout, quickly followed by "Right infront of the next tunnel along".
The twin brothers Gilvanéllé and Lolmildíll step forward, as does Maygam the mercenary captain to look out of the tunnel they're at the entrance of.
They look to the left, to the north. Where the next tunnel, is only about eighty feet away from this one.
"Who is it?" quietly asks Maygam the mercenary captain, who thinks he can see people moving around there.
But he can definitely hear them, as there's shouts and yells, along with the sound of fighting coming from there.
"Mercs" quietly says Lolmildíll the elven magic user in his effete sounding voice.
"None of ours" adds Lolmildíll, who more commonly is called Lolm by the others in the company.
"Looks like more of Hamblett's crew" quietly says the other elven twin Gilvanéllé, who after a brief pause continues with "Don't know who they're fighting really".
Each other? the more sadistic and murderous of the elven twins thinks to himself, who then shakes his head at such a ridiculous thought.
Then Gilvanéllé or Gil as the others in the company call him, or Gilvan as his twin brother Lolm tends to call him.
Nods his head in agreement with Maygam when the mercenary captain quietly says "Just as long as it's not us, i don't care".
Maygam continues on with "I'm totally fine with whoever it is that's killing them".
The mercenary captain then dryly adds "Just as long as no more magetube shots go rolling by".
As one went by just fifty feet infront of the tunnel they're in just a little while ago.
Shot from somewhere to the south, as it went northwards through this part of the pit.
On this cold, autumn night down here in the ancient city of Dalphene. More commonly called the City of Ruins.
"Anything else happening out there?" quietly asks Maygam, who looks away to the south of them, as more seems to be happening that way, compared to the north.
On this side, the east side of the system of tunnels and underground chambers that his company have taken shelter in this night.
"Sounds like there's still fighting going on to the south" quietly says Lolmildíll the elven magic user.
His twin brother Gilvanéllé nods his head in agreement, who then says "Can't really see what's happening".
Gilvan, who is the elven twin with the pale blond, almost white coloured hair, then adds "Definitely a bit more action happening that way".
The mercenary captain turns to his second in command Uren, and tells her to send one of the others in the tunnel.
To go down back through the main chamber, and head south to find out what's happening down there.
And more importantly to see if any of Hamblett's company, and whoever else it is out there. Haven't been able to get into the system of tunnels and underground chambers.
And the same for over on the west side, where there's the least amount of lookouts, and others to defend this part of the pit.
As he looks back out of the tunnel entrance, Maygam quietly says to the others "Whoever it is out there, they're doing a good job against Hamblett's lot".
The elven twins from the principality of Alínlae nod in agreement with the mercenary captain.
As they see the final merc standing near the next tunnel entrance along, fall to the ground with a shortsword through his guts.
Though they didn't actually see it happen, but that merc from Hamblett's company shoved his own sword into his stomach when he found himself the last one standing, on this cold autumn night, down here in the City of Ruins . . . . . .

The Find 58.

Autumn.

The giant hole in the ground. Also know as the pit. The ancient city of Dalphene. More commonly called The City of Ruins.
Dorc da Orc is amongst them, he slams an axe into one of them, chopping down through the head of the mercenary. All the way down the torso of the man, splitting him in half at the groin.
With his right hand, the large ork reaches out and grabs another of the mercs by the head.
And slams his head into the corner of a waist high ruin, all that remains of an ancient building that once stood here.
The ork warleader growls in satisfaction as the mercs head shatters apart in his hand.
"Get some!" Dorc da Orc shouts again as he moves amongst the large group of mercenaries who he has taken by surprise.
The axe in his left hand goes flying as he throws it at another of the mercenaries who is looking around trying to figure out what's happening.
That merc is slammed into the ground so hard that his skull is shattered apart in a bloody pulp.
The big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world takes a pair of throwing axes from his weapon harness.
And starts swinging them at any of the mercenaries who get too close to him.
Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, kicks out. Connecting with the another of the mercs, breaking both of the man's legs.
He's one of the luckier ones as he lies there on the ground screaming in pain as the ork general in the armies of Farque wrecks havoc amongst them.
"What is it?" pants Hamblett the mercenary captain who is helped to his feet by Rameeda the mercenary after he was knocked down by someone trying to flee whoever it is that's attacking him.
Just as Rameeda goes to say something, light flares away to their left as someone has lit a torch that they've brought along with them.
Hamblett who expressly forbid any torches to be lit as they attacked the tunnels and chambers that Maygam's company have taken shelter in.
Goes to shout at the merc to douse that torch, when out of the corner of his eye, he spots who it is that's amongst the company, and attacking them.
"The fucking hell is that?" exclaims Rameeda the mercenary who has also spotted who it is that's attacking them.
Hamblett blinks in surprise, and quite frankly confusion. As first he thinks it's a troll of some kind.
Then he realises it's too short to be a troll, and far too bulky to be one as well.
Whatever it is, it's covered in weapons. And it's laying to waste any of his company that tries to attack it. As it wields a pair of large axes, that look like hand axes in it's massive, club like hands.
"Shoot it!" yells Rameeda the second in command of the company, and though not many of mercs brought along ranged weapons, some of them do have crossbows.
"Shit" mutters Hamblett as he sees a crossbow bolt go careening off the side of the large creature's head.
"What the fuck?" says Rameeda beside him who sees the same thing, as they stand there with their swords drawn.
Then the merc with the burning torch drops it, as he dives to one side as the creature throws one of the axes at him.
Barely missing that merc, but hitting one behind him. That mercenary's head explodes from the impact of the axe hitting him, and his headless body drops to the ground.
"Move back!" orders Hamblett as for a few more moments, there's just an eerie light playing over what's happening, before the dropped torch goes out.
The mercenary captain knows that they need weapons like longspears, and halberds, as well as bows.
Pretty much none of the weapons they've brought along with them to fight amongst the nearby tunnels and chambers where Maygam's company are holed up.
Hamblett stumbles to one side, as some of those infront of him hastily back away.
Then the mercenary captain blinks in surprise, then says in a tone that's surprised "What?".
As next to him, his second in command Rameeda says "I think that's an ork".
Hamblett, who has seen a number of odd things in his life, isn't one to dismiss that from his second in command.
But nevertheless, orks are more fable than reality. The thing of nightmares that parents tell their children to scare them into doing what they want.
For all that, Hamblett has got a sinking feeling that Rameeda is correct, as they hear screams of pain from those in the company who are being attacked by the large creature.
Who must be able to see as well at night, as it can during the day.
The mercenary captain who is a little miffed that he doesn't have any dwarves or elves with him, here to the north of the neutral zone.
Once again shouts "Move back!". For if it really is an ork, there's pretty much nothing they can do to stop it, let alone kill it.
"Fuckhead" mutters Dorc da Orc as he's whacked in the arm by a sword.
The mercenary who swung it, quickly backs away, knowing he got in a lucky hit.
He's not so lucky when he's picked up off the ground, and flung backwards when the large ork throws the other axe at him, hitting him square in the chest.
The ork warleader who sees the mercs are all hurrying to back away from him now.
Grins a wide grin across his broad, green feral looking face. As he can see something they can't.
The weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks as he takes a throwing hammer, and another throwing axe from his weapon harness.
Chuckles in anticipation, as the mercs are backing up in the direction they came from.
Dorkindle throws the axe in his left hand, and it thumps into the side of one of the mercenaries backing away.
The man slams down into the ground, with the axe head almost completely through him.
A couple of the other mercs near him, back away even quicker, just as the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world wants them to do.
There's basically a pause in the fighting as the mercenaries hurry away, and the ork general continues to pursue them.
Then there's the thud of a magetube firing that echoes for miles around. And a near fourteen foot wide ball of pure magical energy suddenly appears, and goes tearing through a fair number of the mercenaries who are in Hamblett's company.
Lord Farque has stepped out from one of the ruins, and fired one of the two magetubes he's got.
The undead warlord has waited for those in Hamblett's mercenary company to fall back after Dorc da Orc attacks them, as he suspected they would.
The large, heavily armoured deathlord who steps out, facing directly north.
Has waited to enter the fray for a reason. And that's too make sure that he can take out as many of Hamblett's company as possible.
And to make sure, that the magetube shot goes directly north. And not to the west a bit. Where the rest of the group are fighting those of Hamblett's company who are in the fore.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who couldn't trust Dorc da Orc to shoot the other magetube with any accuracy.
Watches as the large ball of pure magical energy, basically obliterates some of the mercs it comes directly into contact with.
Others are clipped by it, burning them away, though not as quickly as those who are hit head on by it.
As it tears through the mercenaries who are quickly backing away from Dorc da Orc who is pursuing them.
Hamblett the mercenary captain is hauled to his feet after he dives to one side, barely avoiding the magetube shot that's just gone through some of his company.
The mercenary captain who definitely heard the magetube firing, dived to one side.
When he saw out of the corner of his eye, the swirling ball of red coloured magical energy, about fourteen feet wide, head this way.
Hamblett who is pretty sure he saw the outline of a large figure holding the magetube as if it was a crossbow.
Grimaces as he sees one of the mercs away to the left burn up, as the magetube shot continues on it's way, heading northwards, away from this part of the pit.
He knows it won't stop until it hits something fairly solid. As since this part of the pit to the north of the neutral zone.
Isn't exactly teeming with ancient ruins, the magetube shot might not stop for quite some time.
It might even go all the way to the northern end of the giant hole in the ground, within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, more commonly called the City of Ruins.
"No not that way" says Hamblett the mercenary captain who grabs one of his men who is about to run back to the east, the direction they've come from.
He shoves that merc in the other direction, and tells him "That way" followed by "Make for the tunnels".
Rameeda the mercenary whose cloak is singed, as he was even closer to the rolling ball of pure magical energy, calls out "Head for the tunnels!".
Then the mercenary who Hamblett shoved in that direction, is suddenly slammed sideways with such force.
That both the mercenary captain and his second in command, clearly hear the audible thud of him smashing into the ground, after a rather large hammer that came flying out of the darkness, hit him in the side of the chest.
"Run!" shouts Hamblett the mercenary captain to anyone who can hear him.
"Run!" adds Rameeda, who quickly follows that with "To the tunnels!".
As there's still enough of the company to take out Maygam's company who are holed up nearby in a system of tunnels and underground chambers.
"Run ya bitches" chuckles Dorc da Orc who then looks away to his right, where he spots lord Farque.
The undead warlord has put the magetube up on his right shoulder, balanced next to the other one up there.
The large, heavily armoured deathlord then reaches down and picks up the unconscious wizard Darmos. Who he slings over his broad, and heavily armoured left shoulder.
Before the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who his people also know him by the name of Draugadrottin.
Looks over to where the large ork is standing, the lord of the death realm nods his full helmed head in the direction the mercs who are still on their feet are going.
The ork warleader grunts in understanding, then he sets off after the fleeing mercenaries, who are heading west.
Trying to make their way to the nearby tunnels and chambers here in this part of the pit, that Maygam and his mercenary company are using.
On this cold autumn night in the giant hole in the ground, within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, known far and wide as the City of Ruins . . . . . .

The Find 57.

Autumn.

In the giant hole in the ground. Lies the ancient city of Dalphene. More commonly called The City of Ruins.
Maygam the mercenary captain looks sharply at his second in command Uren. When he hears what sounds like a clap of thunder outside.
The mercenary captain and his second look over to where the elven twins Gilvanéllé and Lolmildíll are. And he sees that Lolm has woken up. And the two of them are looking in the direction the thunder clap came from.
Maygam is about to call out to them, to ask what's happening. When one of the lookouts runs into the chamber yelling "Fighting outside!".
"Who?" calls out Maygam the mercenary captain who has got up off his bedroll.
"Don't know cap" replies the lookout who has just rushed in from one of the tunnels.
"Two other companies by the sounds of things" adds the lookout, who follows that with "On the east side".
"Let them fight it out?" quickly asks Uren the mercenary, Maygam replies with a quick head nod.
"How many?" asks the mercenary captain who along with his second in command make their way to the lookout. Who they meet in the middle of the massive underground chamber.
The elven twins from the principality of Alínlae follow behind Maygam and Uren.
"More than us by the sounds of things cap" is the reply from the lookout.
"Shit" mutters Maygam the mercenary captain, who starts issuing orders.
He doesn't want his company to interfere. As he wants to let whoever it is outside to fight it out.
Nevertheless, he wants to keep an eye on things. To make sure no one fighting close by, enters the tunnels.
"Come on, might as well and try and see what's happening" says Maygam who nods for Uren, and the twins Lolmildíll and Gilvanéllé to follow him.
They head to the nearest tunnel on the east side of the massive chamber and enter it.
As they do, the mercenary captain glances back at the following elven magic users and quietly asks them "What was that explosion?".
The twins from Alínlae, who are from one of the noble houses of that principality, share a look.
Then Lolmildíll the elven magic user says "That" he briefly pauses before continuing with "Was a mageglobe".
Maygam grimaces when he hears that, then as they hurry through the tunnel, he asks "Our mysterious mage from the afternoon?" followed by "The one that destroyed Jorkamin's warship".
"More than likely" says Lolmildíll, who is more commonly called Lolm by the others in the company.
"Definitely likely" dryly adds Gilvanéllé or Gil as he's called by the other mercenaries. Or Gilvan as his twin brother Lolmildíll tends to call him.
"Shit" Maygam mutters once again as he leads the way to the end of the tunnel they're in.
Outside, a bit further back than those in the fore. Amongst the bulk of those in his company who he's planned to attack the nearby underground tunnel and chamber system.
That he knows his former friend, Maygam and his mercenary company are using at the moment.
Hamblett the mercenary captain quietly asks "What the hell was that?". As they heard a fairly large explosion somewhere ahead of them, but further to the left, to the south.
"Sounded like thunder" mutters Rameeda the mercenary, who is the second in command of the company.
The mercenary captain nods his head in agreement with that. For in the distance, maybe about eighty to a hundred yards away.
In the direction they heard the thunder clap come from, they saw flashing white and blue light for a few moments.
Hamblett doesn't know what it was, but he's just hopeful none of his company were caught up in that. Though he suspects some of them might of.
Then a few moments later, after he orders those with him and his second in command, to continue forward.
One of those in the forward elements comes rushing back, to inform Hamblett and Rameeda.
That they've met resistance just outside of one of the tunnels that leads to the underground chambers, that Maygam's company are using.
"North as well?" quietly and quickly asks the mercenary captain.
"No cap, just south" is the reply of the merc who has rushed back to inform him and the others as to what's happening just up ahead.
"That's something i guess" says Hamblett, who then nods his head in agreement when Rameeda quietly says "Those who went north, are going around to the west side as we planned".
The second in command of the company gestures away to the south and west of where they are at the moment.
"The others must of run into some of Maygam's company" continues Rameeda who follows that with "He must have some patrols out or something".
Hamblett nods in agreement once again, then says to the merc who ran back to inform them what's going on "Quickly take some of this lot forward with you" followed by "Eliminate whoever it is that's there".
The mercenary captain then says "And try and get into those tunnels".
"Yes cap" says the merc, who then calls out to some of the others to follow him.
While Hamblett, Rameeda and the rest of them follow at a distance. As they head west on this cold, autumn night here in the giant hole in the ground.
Within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, more commonly called City of Ruins.
Hamblett who has sort of split his company in half. Well, those with him here to the north of the neutral zone. Who have survived the battle they've been in for nearly two weeks.
With basically half going north, and the other to the south. So that they can get around where Maygam and his company are hiding.
And attempt to enter the tunnels on the west side of the large chamber that Maygam's company are using for shelter.
Though that's not stopping Hamblett having from his mercenaries attempting to enter the tunnels on this side, the east side.
The mercenary captain as they move forward hears shouting and yelling up ahead, then the sounds of combat.
"See anything up there?" quietly asks Hamblett after he loudly says "Move forward, help out the others".
As more of those with them hurry ahead, Rameeda the mercenary mutters "I can't see shit".
The second in command of the company quickly looks up into the sky, and the two moons that are still up.
He sees one is heading towards the horizon in the west, while the other Aeviss is still fairly high up.
Rameeda just wishes all three moons were still up, so that he can see better.
But to no avail, as all he can see infront of term are the mercs closest to him and Hamblett. While in the distance, in the direction they're heading. He thinks he can just make out some of the company who are in the fore.
Rameeda whose hearing is better than his night vision holds up a hand, then points as he says "Definitely fighting that way".
Hamblett nods in agreement, as he does he quietly says to his second in command "That's the way we're going".
Maygam the mercenary captain looks out the tunnel entrance, and thinks he spots movement.
"Where?" quietly asks Maygam "There cap" replies one of the lookouts at the end of this tunnel.
The mercenary captain, who is sure he hears fighting nods his head. Then knowing that there's others who can definitely see what's happening, Maygam steps to the side and out of the way.
"What's happening?" asks the mercenary captain who has stepped aside for the elven twins Lolmildíll and Gilvanéllé.
"Fighting a bit further to the south" is the quiet reply of Lolmildíll the elven magic user.
His twin brother Gilvanéllé nods his head in agreement with him as they look in that direction out of the tunnel.
"Can't clearly see who it is" adds the effete sounding elf who hails from the principality of Alínlae.
"Whoever it is, there's a fair bit of yelling and shouting going on" says the harsher sounding Gilvanéllé the elven magic user.
Lolmildíll or Lolm as he's more commonly called by the others in the company, nods his head in agreement with his twin brother.
After a few moments, Gilvanéllé continues with "I think they've blundered into an ambush".
Maygam, who is just wondering if whoever it is out there, have intentions of coming into the tunnels and chambers, he and his company are using.
When he suddenly gets an answer, as Lolmildíll quietly says "Movement" followed by "There".
The mercenary captain along with his second in command Uren, look to where the elven magic user points.
He can't see anyone yet, but he takes Lolm's word for it, that there's people where he's pointing to.
"Heading this way?" quietly asks Maygam, the reply from Lolmildíll is "More or less".
His twin brother Gilvan shares a look with him. And though they're not afraid to cast.
The two of them are more than a little cautious, for the simple reason there's a mage out there somewhere.
Not far, if that mageglobe exploding like a thunder clap a little earlier, is anything to go by.
"Wait, they're turning north by the looks of it" quietly says Gilvanéllé the elven magic user, who nods as does his twin brother Lolm, when Maygam quietly tells them "Don't do anything unless they attempt to enter the tunnels".
The elven spellcaster with the pale blond almost white coloured hair, slightly frowns then quietly says "I think that might be Hamblett's company".
Maygam shares a quick look with Uren hears that. For the mercenary captain and his second in command.
Know that if there's ever anyone who knows of the existence of the tunnels and the chambers in this area of the pit, it's Hamblett the mercenary captain.
For the simple reason Hamblett served alongside Maygam in another company over a decade ago down here in the City of Ruins.
And that they used these tunnels and chambers when they were in that particular mercenary company.
Maygam slightly grimaces at the thought of his former friend Hamblett.
Then he softly grunts when Gilvanéllé quietly says "Yeah they're Hamblett's" followed by "I recognise a few of them".
Climbing over some rubble, Hamblett the mercenary captain slides down into a large hole that's been dug out of the ground.
Rameeda along with a few others are already in the near six foot deep hole, and the mercenary captain joins them.
They hurry across the large hole as others climb down into it. They climb out the otherside.
This time climbing over less rubble than what was on the otherside of the large hole.
Crouching down, and peering to their right, where the sound of fighting now is coming from.
Hamblett the mercenary captain is just about to order some of those with him, to head to that fighting.
When Rameeda after holding up a hand, the signal to stop and to be silent, quietly says to the mercenary captain "You hear that?".
"What?" quietly asks Hamblett who peers around, trying to see if there's anyone else close by.
"Thought i heard someone coming this way" quietly says the second in command of the company.
The mercenary captain who has spotted the outline of a couple of ruins nearby.
Looks at them closely to see if there's any movement around them, when he doesn't spot anything, he quietly says to his second in command "Time to keep moving".
Hamblett waves some of those with him and Rameeda away to the right, to where the sound of combat can be heard.
Then the mercenary captain, his second in command and the rest of them continue on the way they were heading.
As they head south, intending to circle around to the west side of the tunnels and chambers that Hamblett knows his former friend Maygam is using.
What looks like a section of one of the ruins that Hamblett was peering at seems to break away from it, followed by another.
The mercenary captain and those with him don't see this, as it's away to their left, and behind them now.
But as they continue southwards, they're shadowed by two rather large figures, who keep pace with them.
Hamblett the mercenary captain, and his second in command Rameeda, and those of the company with them.
Don't notice whoever it is, until there's a rather loud roar quite close by, followed by a shout of "Get some!" . . . . . .

The Find 56.

Autumn.

The giant hole in the ground. The pit. The ancient city of Dalphene. The City of Ruins.
It's Helbe the elven thief who leads the attack. Not by killing anyone outright. But by casting some spells.
The advanced group from Hamblett's company have spread out. And many of them like the larger group who are following.
Have gone either to the north, or to the south. Instead of heading to the tunnels on the east side of where the large chamber that Maygam's company are using.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel. Concentrates upon those going north. For the simple reason those going south are going to run smack dab into the rest of the group.
Knowing that they will not survive an encounter against the bulk of the group.
The highly talented elven magic user, watches the mercs from Hamblett's company for a bit.
Before he looks up into the sky, and checking the position of the two moons that are still up this cold, autumn night.
He knows it's closer to dawn than it is the halfway position between the middle of the night, and the first light of the new day.
The blurred and shielded elven spellcaster, who is a member of the royal family that rules the principality of Laerel.
Is upon a lone column of one of the ruins that stood here in this part of the pit, until fairly recently.
The elven masterthief looks down and watches the dozen or so mercenaries from Hamblett's company. Hurrying by the column he's standing on top of.
The grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel glances at Narladene the ground pixie who is standing on his right shoulder.
The naturally magical creature who is attached to the elven master assassin, nods her head giving him the go ahead to cast.
The young elven noble from Laerel who is a member of the personal council to lord Farque.
Knows to be a bit cautious being so close to the elven twins Lolmildíll and Gilvanéllé. Who he is unable to sense, even though Narladene has informed him they're only a couple hundred feet away, underground in one of the nearby chambers in this part of the pit.
Helbe the elven thief casts an area effect spell. And faintly smiles as the twelve or so mercenaries in Hamblett's company walk quickly through it, one at a time.
The blurred and shielded elven magic user then looks back to the south. Trying to see what else he can do, to dissuade Hamblett's company from attacking the nearby chamber and tunnel system that Maygam's company have taken shelter in.
The elven masterthief then shifts away, safe in the knowledge that those of Hamblett's mercs who just went through his spell.
Will keep heading north, and only north, all the way into the daytime. Thinking that they've turned west sometime well before dawn.
Enjoy getting lost up north there, Helbe the elven thief thinks to himself after shifting to somewhere else.
Where he can cause more havoc, and damage upon Hamblett's mercenary company.
Who are trying to attack where Maygam's mercenary company have taken shelter in the hectic battle.
That's been going on here, in the northern half of the giant hole in the ground.
More commonly referred to as the pit. Which has within it the ancient city of Dalphene. Known far and wide as the City of Ruins.
Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy looks over the broken wall he and Lisell Maera the scout are behind.
The elf from the principality of Alínlae, who is now a company commander in the armies of Farque.
Has the advantage of his race's natural hearing and sight. Way more advanced than any human, especially at nighttime like now.
"To our right a bit" quietly says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy in his native language.
"They're moving single file" continues the elven spy who serves in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque.
Dalinvardèl Tanith or Dalin as he's more commonly called by the others in the group.
Ducks down and takes an arrow from his quiver, and puts it to his longbow. Next to him, Lisell Maera has already loaded her crossbow.
"You've got the first one" says the spy Tanith, the scout Maera nods her head in understanding. As she knows the elven spy is giving her the easiest target.
Drawing his longbow back to half pull, the company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque, quietly says "Almost here".
Lisell Maera or Lis as more often than not, she's called by those who know her well.
Gets up from the kneeling position she's in, and stands ready to shoot over the broken wall she and Dalin are behind at the moment.
While the elven spy who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses in his homeland of Alínlae.
Draws his longbow back fully, and quietly says to the scout in the armies of Farque "Now".
Lis stands upright, and clearly sees the movement up ahead to the right. The human scout quickly takes aim, and lets fly the bolt in her crossbow towards the center mass of whoever it is that's approaching.
The quarrel slams into the first mercenary in Hamblett's company coming in this direction.
He drops with a groan, while the merc behind him, doesn't even get the chance to lift his hands to his throat.
Where a yard long shaft, shot from the longbow of the spy Tanith. Has just slammed into, and gone out the otherside.
That mercenary drops to the ground too. And before the stunned mercenary directly behind him can do anything. Either shouting or yelling something to those behind him in the group moving in a single file.
Another yard long arrow goes flying from Dalinvardèl Tanith's weapon. Slamming into the chest of that merc, knocking him down backwards with ease.
Those further back who have seen what's just happened, start yelling, shouting and cursing, to get into, or behind cover.
"They've engaged with them" quietly says lord Farque, who then nods his full helmed head in reply to Mira Reinholt the mage asking "Who?" followed by "Dalin and Lis?".
The undead warlord gestures forward when Tamric Drubine looks back at him.
The young field commander in the armies of Farque, who hails from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin.
Hurries ahead, with his lover, Saanea the witch by his side.
Following quickly behind them is Shur Kee the monk, Tovis the war engineer, then Beldane the cleric.
"Send a mageglobe that way" the large, heavily armoured deathlord tells the once powerful mage who is a member of his personal council.
The undead being who also has the name of Draugadrottin, that the people of his lands know him by then says "You'll be fine".
He continues on with "Those two elves won't know where you are" the lord and ruler of the lands Farque then adds "They'll just figure there's a rogue mage somewhere around here".
"That's if they don't know already" quietly says Mira Reinholt the mage, who like the lord of the death realm, is speaking elven.
The spellcaster who also happens to be a highly skilled swordmaster, something almost unheard of when it comes to practitioners of magic, especially amongst human casters of spells.
Creates a mageglobe in his gloved right hand. Which he then flings up into the cold night air.
Then with Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit by his side, the mage from the city-state of Vexil, hurries forward into the night.
"Not yet cunt" quietly says lord Farque in the ork language as Dorc da Orc is about to hurry after the others.
Sir Percavelle Lé Dic pauses as his bitter rival has stopped, and remains by the undead warlord's side.
"Go with the others Percy" states the large, heavily armoured deathlord in the common language to the nobleborn knight from the kingdom of Druvic.
"Righto my lord" says sir Percavelle Lé Dic who then chuckles as he sees his bitter rival looks more than a little annoyed that he has to remain behind with the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
The ork general in the armies of Farque sourly smiles as he watches the large, heavily armoured knight hurry ahead to help the others.
Then Dorc da Orc or Dorkindle which is his given name, turns to the lord of the death realm who says "Give me that here".
And before the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world can protest, Draugadrottin takes the magetube off the ork weaponsmith.
The large ork scowls as large, heavily armoured deathlord hefts the magetube up onto his right shoulder with the other one already there.
Then in one of the odd, and very rare moments in his life. Where there's a moment's clarity in usually wild, and frankly crazed mind.
Dorkindle is pretty sure it should be impossible for lord Farque to even lift one of the magetubes.
Let alone have two of the large, heavy magical weapons balanced on his right shoulder.
As soon as that quick thought pops into the ork warleader's head, it disappears.
And the crazed, and psychotic mind of the ork general goes back to thinking it's normal thoughts. Like killing people. Then eating them. Sometimes in that order too.
"Hand over that cunt too" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who has the elven name of Des'tier.
Which translates to common as, The Destroyer.
The big, burly ork from the frozen bottom of the world is only too glad to hand over the unconscious wizard Darmos. Who the undead warlord slings over his left shoulder.
Then the lord of the death realm nods his full helmed head away to their right, and says in orkish "That way cunt".
Dorkindle's eyebrow ridges shoot up, and he gives a questioning grunt. Because that's not the way the others have gone.
"Listen and smell" quietly says the large, heavily armoured deathlord.
That's exactly what the weaponsmith from the wolf tribe of orks does.
"Get some" murmurs Dorc da Orc, who then nods in understanding to why the lord and ruler of the lands Farque has told him to go in that direction.
The large ork heads off to the right, leading the way, with the undead warlord following right behind him.
"What is it?" asks Helbe the elven thief who looks to the south as Narladene has pointed off in that direction.
"Mageglobe" says Narladene the ground pixie, who then dryly adds "Mira".
The highly talented elven magic user wryly smiles then says in a tone to match his smile "It's not coming up this way is it?".
"No" is the reply of the naturally magical creature who is originally from the Sunreach Mountains.
"There" says the ground pixie who points again to the south of where the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, is perched upon a mound of rubble, dirt and sand.
The blurred and shielded elven magic user nods his hooded head as he spots in the distance a small ball of blue light weaving amongst some of the ruins to the south.
"Poor bastards" murmurs Helbe the elven thief as he thinks of whoever is going to receive that.
Then the elven master assassin spots more of Hamblett's company approaching.
These ones haven't turned either north or south. But are coming directly towards some of the tunnels.
One of which, the entrance of is in mound that the elven masterthief is on top of at the moment.
The highly talented elven magic user waits for them to get closer before he takes action.
Looking behind him as he hears something approaching, Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy frowns, then he says "Down" followed by "Mageglobe".
Next to him, Lisell Maera the scout grimaces and drops to the ground, while the spy Tanith does likewise.
The small ball of blue light, about the size of an apple passes over them and the half broken wall they're behind.
Dalin and Lis look at one another as nothing happens for a few moments. And the scout Maera is just about to say something when they hear a high pitched screeching sound, following by what sounds like a long clap of thunder.
Through the gaps in the broken wall, they see flashes of blue and white light.
The scout and the company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the armies of Farque share another look.
Then as Tamric Drubine the field commander and Saanea the witch approach them from the direction the rest of the group are.
They get up off the ground, and look over the broken wall they've been firing at Hamblett's company from.
"Well, that took care of them" dryly says Lisell Maera the scout as they see whisps and tendrils of what looks like lightning snaking over the ground and rubble, before it disappears.
There's quite a few more bodies lying dead now, compared to the ones that Lis and Dalin have shot.
Then as field commander Drubine and the witch Saanea join them, the spy Tanith quietly says "Well i guess everyone in the immediate area knows we're here after that".
Lis along with Tamric Drubine and Saanea the witch nod in agreement, as that thunder clap from the mageglobe coming to the end of it's short existence.
Would of been heard across quite a lot of this part of the pit, to the north of the so called neutral zone of the City of Ruins, on this cold, autumn night . . . . . .