The Find 47.

Autumn.

The giant hole in the ground. Also called the pit. Within which is the ancient city of Dalphene. More commonly called The City of Ruins.
Jorkamin the mercenary captain and Darmos the wizard share a look. Then the two of the go back to looking to the west.
Where in the distance, a ball of flame and smoke can be seen rolling up into the night sky.
The two of them are silent for a few moments, then Jorkamin the mercenary captain breaks the silence by saying "Is that near where our ship went down?".
"No, that was further south, at least a third of a mile from that, maybe half" is the reply from Darmos the wizard with a nod of his head to the flaming ball heading up into the night sky above the pit.
The wizard in the dark red, almost maroon coloured robes senses westwards, wondering what's going on that way.
As that's not the first explosion they've seen and heard from that area of the ancient city of Dalphene this evening. And none of their company are out that way.
Darmos, who is essentially the second in command of the company, is just about to mention something to Jorkamin.
When he suddenly senses something, to be more precise, someone.
Just before they hear the thud of another explosion from the same area of the pit as the ball of flame and smoke rising upwards in the night sky came from.
"Greason" mutters Darmos the wizard as he senses his old friend and colleague.
"He responsible for that?" asks the captain of one of the largest, if not largest mercenary company, in operation down here in the giant hole in the ground.
Within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, more commonly known as, the City of Ruins.
"No" says Darmos, who continues with "But he's caught up in all that". As he nods westwards in the direction of the recent explosions.
The portly, and out of shape spellcaster who can no longer sense his fellow wizard, an ex friend, Greason, then says "Must of been in the middle of that last explosion".
He continues on with "I sensed him putting up wards" followed by "Now he's just teleported away".
The wizard Darmos nods to himself, and he quietly tells Jorkamin "Don't know where he is now".
The mercenary captain grunts when he hears that, Jorkamin then says "If he's caught up in that, then who's attacking him?".
"I'm not sure" says Darmos who knows Jorkamin won't be happy with that answer.
Especially after the day the company has had. Losing one of their wyverns, as well as one of their warships.
Jorkamin sourly smiles, then he nods his head, when the wizard who is his second in command, quietly says "That's what's got me worried".
The overweight spellcaster in the frumpy looking robes, then says "Those are some pretty substantial explosions out that way" followed by "And i can't sense anyone casting them".
"Think it might be this mysterious mage who took down our ship?" asks the mercenary captain whose plans to eliminate his main rivals, have taken a bit of a setback today.
True, Jorkamin's company has got the upper hand in the battle here to north of the neutral zone of the pit.
But with the loss of the wyvern, and the warship today. Things aren't going as well as they should be.
"Maybe" says Darmos the wizard who continues with "Though i suspect we'd see mageglobes if that was the case".
The second in command of the company continues with "More likely it's someone, or more than someone from one of the other companies".
With a slight nod of his head, Jorkamin asks the wizard in the dark red robes "Like who?".
"The twins" is the reply from the practitioner of magic who joined the company about a decade ago.
The mercenary captain slightly frowns as he figures out who Darmos means.
Then Jorkamin scowls when he realises who the wizard is referring to.
"Those two sick elven bastards" says the mercenary captain in disgust.
"The very ones" says the portly spellcaster, who continues on with "Those two have always been near impossible to sense or locate" followed by "And they're quite powerful too".
Jorkamin grunts, then sourly says "They're the reason Maygam is fairly successful" he then adds "Even with the piddling amount of mercs he's got in his company".
Darmos nods in agreement with that. It's no secret that the elven twins from Alínlae, Lolmildíll and Gilvanéllé. Are the reason that Maygam's mercenary company are one of the most successful companies operating down here in the City of Ruins.
Even though Maygam's company is only a mid sized company at best. When it comes to the amount of people he has under his hire.
Then Jorkamin thinks about something for a moment, he looks around to make sure none of the company are close as they stand upon a fairly solid roof, on one of the ruins in this part of the giant hole in the ground.
There's only four others on the rooftop of the ancient ruin. All lookouts, with none standing anywhere near the mercenary captain and his second in command.
"Think we should head out that way?" quietly asks Jorkamin the mercenary, who then adds "Or at least send some of the company out there?".
Darmos thinks about it for a moment, then he shakes his head no, as the ball of flames and smoke has finally dissipated in the sky.
On what's a cold autumn night here in the ancient city of Dalphene, or as it's more commonly called, the City of Ruins.
"If Greason was out there, then it's certain that Lopaphil was out there too" says Darmos who continues with "Jarnok likes them working as a team".
Jorkamin nods in agreement with the wizard, who then says "And no doubt they had some of their company with them".
"More than likely" says the mercenary captain in agreement with the overweight spellcaster who is the second in command of the company.
"And from the way Greason took off" says Darmos, who continues on with "I'm guessing the twins, or whoever it might be out that way, have dealt to Lopaphil and whoever else was with Jarnok's pet wizards".
The practitioner of magic in the dark red, almost maroon coloured robes looks at the mercenary captain and quietly tells him "They might very well be doing us a favour".
Jorkamin slowly nods, for though it's true he wants to wipe out as many of the other mercenary companies as possible.
The main objective of their plans here in the northern half of the City of Ruins.
Is to eliminate his main two rivals, and their companies. That being the mercenary captains Jarnok and Hamblett.
Who are the captains of the two mercenary companies that rivals Jorkamin's in size and resources.
"Hmmmm" murmurs the mercenary captain, who is silent for a few moments, before he continues with "Let them battle it out maybe?" followed by "Then move in, and take out whoever is left?".
"It's what i would do" quietly says the practitioner of magic, who then adds "At least until the other warship is up here".
Jorkamin grunts when he hears that, the mercenary captain, with the sharp, severe looking features, turns and looks away to the south, then he says "Speaking of that" followed by "Is it anywhere near here yet?".
Darmos the wizard turns to the left and looks to the south as well, and he senses as far as he can, which is towards the southern end of the giant hole in the ground.
The second in command of the company shakes his head, then he says "Not yet" followed by "It's not over the pit" he then adds "It must still be coming up from the south".
Someone who can sense Jorkamin's other warship, a vessel based at a town about a dozen miles to the south of the southern end of the pit.
Looks away to the south as he sensed it a little while ago, having lifted off from it's base, and is now heading north towards the ancient city of Dalphene, or as it's more commonly called, the City of Ruins.
"Another airship coming towards the pit" says lord Farque as he steps into the dilapidated ruins the group are spending the night in.
"Warship?" asks Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, the undead warlord replies with a nod of his full helmed head, then he says "Most likely belongs to that Jorkamin like that other one" followed by "It'll get here in the middle of the night".
The large heavily armoured deathlord then looks away to the right, and he says "Stop fucking playing with that cunt" followed by "Put it in the corner with the other one, and leave it the fuck alone before you blow us all up".
Dorc da Orc grunts, and he quickly takes his hand away from the firing lever of the magetube he's holding.
The large ork then carries it to the corner where the other one they took from the wreckage of the nearby warship, and leans it next to it.
"His one fucken bigger than mine" mutters Dorc da Orc as he eyes the two magical weapons that are now side by side.
The big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world then grunts, and moves away when the lord of the death realm tells him to get away from the magetubes.
The group have got a fire going in the ancient building they're in, not too bothered who might see, or smell it.
For on the wind this cold autumn night, they've smelt other fires nearby.
Lord Farque and Jarjin Littlefoot go around to where Mira Reinholt the mage is sitting on his bedroll.
The halfling from the Sultanate of Dreese, a nation on the far east coast of the continent, sits down next to the once powerful mage.
While the lord and ruler of the lands Farque sits upon a pile of rubble to the left of them.
While the others are closer to the fire, eating what's been cooked for their meal.
With the exception of Dalinvardèl Tanith the spy, who is on watch outside.
And Helbe the elven thief who isn't with the group at the moment, as he's a bit further to the north in the pit.
"What happened up there?" quietly asks Mira Reinholt the mage, referring to the recent explosions about a third of a mile to the north of where they are.
"One of those wizards is dead" is the reply from lord Farque, who is also known by the name of Draugadrottin to the people of his lands.
"So are a fair few of those mercs who were with them" adds the deathlord of Farque who continues with "Those elves from Alínlae dealt to them".
Both Jarjin Littlefoot and Mira Reinholt, who are members of lord Farque's personal council, nod when they hear that.
Then the halfling, who isn't what he appears to be, then asks "I guess the one we're looking for isn't there?".
"Correct" says the undead warlord who has the elven name of Des'tier, which translates to, The Destroyer.
The lord of the death realm, who will know if Helbe the elven thief has located the one they're searching for.
By the simple fact Narladene the ground pixie will show up and tell him.
Looks at his two council members, and quietly tells the once powerful mage, and the former air sailor "That one still isn't with their company" followed by "They're still somewhere else up here".
The mage who is in exile from his homeland, the city-state of Vexil, nods his hooded head.
While the hobbit, who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson.
Who just happens to find himself inhabiting the body of the halfling former air sailor from the Sultanate of Dreese.
Stares at the nearby fire, that most of the rest of the group are around. With the exception of Dorc da Orc, who is away to lord Farque's left, as far away from the fire as possible, which the ork warleader is glaring at.
"Hope they haven't got themselves killed" murmurs Jarjin aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman.
The spellcaster, who was once the most powerful mage of his generation to be found anywhere in the Southlands.
Until he was stripped of the vast majority of his powers when he went offworld through a rift, void spell he accidentally cast a number of years ago. Grunts when he hears that from his fellow council member.
While lord Farque nods his full helmed head in agreement with what the halfling from the far east coast of the continent just murmured.
"Indeed" quietly says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque as they continue wait to hear from Helbe the elven thief, to see if he's located the person they've come to the City of Ruins to find . . . . . .

The Find 46.

Autumn.

The ancient city of Dalphene. More commonly called The City of Ruins. In the north, of the central region of the Southlands.
Gilvanéllé the elven magic user casts. He doesn't cast out of the tunnel he's in.
But outside, towards some of the nearby ruins, just across from the mouth of the tunnel.
The elven noble from the principality of Alínlae doesn't target any of those he's spotted out there this evening.
Instead he targets a spell that he knows one of the wizards in Jarnok's mercenary company has cast.
Gilvanéllé or Gil as he's more commonly called by the others in the company.
Casts his spell directly beneath that spell, a heatball spell cast by the wizard. To be exact, underground.
Gilvanéllé the elven magic user sneers as he casts, knowing he's about to kill that wizard, and anyone close to them.
Not quite, for just as Gil casts his spell. He suddenly senses the wizard, and another spell that they're casting.
Lopaphil the wizard quickly casts a ward around him. You never know, there might an enemy spellcaster in the nearby underground chamber.
Just then, the wizard in the fiery red robes, who nods to one of the men. Who has just asked if they should proceed. Is lifted upwards as the ground beneath him explodes.
Dirt, sand, bits of debris and flames shoot up all around Lopaphil as he's tossed up into the air.
As an underground explosion rocks the night, here in this part of the giant hole in the ground, within which is the ancient city of Dalphene.
Greason the wizard, and some of those with him. Spin around when an explosion rocks the night. Back in the direction they've just come from.
They see flames about forty yards back, amongst the ruins they left the bulk of the others behind in.
Knowing that in all likelihood that those they've targeted, has probably just attacked them.
Greason the wizard quickly says "Keep moving" followed by "We don't want to get hit too".
The mercenary spellcaster, who hopes his fellow wizard Lopaphil is okay.
Keeps holding his power within himself, hoping to keep himself from being a target to any unfriendly spellcaster who is out and about in this part of the pit tonight.
Running through one of the tunnels that leads from the underground chamber they're using.
Lolmildíll the elven magic user briefly stops when he hears and feels the nearby explosion.
Moving again, the elven noble from the principality of Alínlae. Knows that was his twin brother Gilvanéllé who has just cast.
As he recognises that spell anywhere. As it's one of his brother's favourite spells.
Caught up in the midst of that particular spell is one of the wizards in Jarnok's company, Lopaphil.
He's flung up a good fifteen feet in the air, narrowly missing part of the ruins, he and the others were in.
He falls back to the ground with a thud amongst the dirt and sand. Where he groans as his ward, in this instance a barrier spell. Barely kept him alive, as it was shredded to pieces by whatever it was that just hit him.
With the flames dying down around him, the red robbed wizard whose heatball spell has also disappeared.
Gathers his wits, and keeps his power within himself. As he realises an enemy spellcaster must of sensed him and his spells.
Lopaphil takes a deep breath, as he sees half a charred body just a few feet away amongst the dying flames, while the air around him is still thick with dirt.
The wizard sourly smiles, and though badly winded, he tries to think of something that might save his life.
Narrowing his eyes as he senses, Gilvanéllé the elven magic user hisses "Shut up".
As one of the mercenaries in the tunnel has just asked him "What's going on out there?".
The elven mercenary from the principality of Alínlae, senses his brother Lolmildíll hurrying down one of the other nearby tunnels.
Heading more or less in this direction, to the east of the underground chamber that Maygam's company have been using in this part of the pit.
Gil who can no longer sense the wizard outside, or the heatball spell, and the ward he briefly sensed.
Knows that doesn't necessarily mean the wizard in Jarnok's company, either Lopaphil or Greason is dead.
The elven magic user who is a well known pariah down here in the City of Ruins.
Knows that both of the wizards are at least somewhat competent. Especially Greason, who Gilvanéllé has meet with in the past.
When things between the mercenary companies down here in the ancient city of Dalphene, were a bit more cordial.
The elven noble from Alínlae, looks out of the tunnel entrance, to the ruin across the way, that still has flames licking at it from the recent explosion.
As he does, Gilvanéllé the elven magic user gets ready to cast once more, this time a different spell.
"Getting ready to cast again" Narladene the ground pixie murmurs to Helbe the elven thief.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel nods, then he waits for what the elven spellcaster from Alínlae will do next.
On his right shoulder, where she perches, Narladene points then quietly says to him "The other one is coming from a tunnel there".
"The other twin?" quietly asks Helbe the elven thief, the naturally magical creature from the Sunreach Mountains nods her head in reply to that.
The highly talented elven magic user who has been following the wizard Greason, and those from Jarnok's company with the wizard in the green robes.
Drops down to the ground, as he's been floating along just behind them.
The elven masterthief looks back in the direction they've come from, to see what the elven magic user Gilvanéllé will do next.
Gil glances back along the tunnel when he hears others approaching.
It's the second in command of the company, Uren. Who has brought some of the others along with her.
She works her way forward to where the elven noble from the principality of Alínlae is near the entrance to the tunnel.
"Who?" quietly asks Uren in her no nonsense attitude, expecting an answer.
Which she gets from Gilvanéllé, who quietly tells her "Jarnok's" then he adds "Not sure".
In response to the female mercenary asking him "How many?".
Uren then slightly grunts when Gil quietly says "One of his pet wizards is out there with them" followed by "I just hit him, don't know if he's dead or not".
"The other one might be around" quietly says the second in command of the company as she looks out of the tunnel entrance, to one of the nearby ruins that has a few flames licking at it.
Uren who spots someone injured trying to crawl from the spot that Gil exploded from beneath the ground, then adds "Jarnok likes those two working as a team".
"I know" says the elven noble from house Jilenthàl of Alínlae, who follows that with "Lets see if i get a response from them".
The elven magic user who is a well known pariah throughout the City of Ruins casts again.
Since he can't sense the wizard he previously targeted. And not knowing if he killed him not.
Gilvanéllé casts in the same area, this time making his spell a bit bigger, to affect a larger area.
First on his hands and knees, then stumbling to his feet. Lopaphil the wizard moves away.
Staggering away from where he just was. Waving a hand infront of him, as the air is thick with dirt and sand.
He bumps into one of the company, who is doing the exact same thing. Getting away from what just happened.
"Move" says Lopaphil the wizard, who has only just got his breath back after being badly winded.
The spellcaster in Jarnok's company, who is doing his best to keep his power within himself.
Points, and is just about to tell the mercenary with him, to go that way. When all around them, the night lights up in a fiery explosion. This time, Lopaphil doesn't have any wards to protect him.
As first he, then the merc beside him. And some of the others who survived the last explosion. Go up in flames, their lives snuffed out pretty quickly from the fiery explosion that lights up the night for quite some distance all around.
Looking out one of the tunnels that leads to the underground chamber that the company is using.
Lolmildíll the elven magic user looks away to the right, and in the distance spots the ball of fire and flames roll up into the night sky from the explosion about sixty or seventy yards further to the south.
"Gil again?" quietly asks Maygam the mercenary company who has brought along some of the company as they've followed Lolmildíll or Lolm as those in the company usually call him.
"I would say so" is the quiet reply of Lolmildíll the elven magic user, who senses but is unable to locate any enemy spellcasters close by
He then spots movement opposite the tunnel that they're in, and he quietly tells Maygam the mercenary captain "More of them across the way there".
Greason the wizard grimaces as he looks back as he watches the rolling ball of flames, and smoke rise up into the night sky from the latest explosion.
The spellcaster in Jarnok's mercenary company knows that if his fellow wizard, Lopaphil was caught up in that explosion without any wards, then he's a dead man.
The wizard in the green robes thinks about putting up wards of his own. When he hears one of the others up ahead, quietly say "The next tunnel is just up here".
"He's dead" quietly says Narladene the ground pixie as she stands upon the right shoulder of the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel she's attached to.
"That other wizard?" quietly asks Helbe the elven thief, who has moved a bit away from the wizard and the Jarnok's mercenaries he's been following.
"Yeah" is the reply of the tiny winged creature who is from the Sunreach Mountains.
Narladene points, then quietly tells the elven masterthief "A tunnel just there" followed by "You should just be able to see it".
The naturally magical creature continues with "That other twin is just in there".
The young elven noble who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel, nods his hooded head.
Then the blurred and shielded elven magic user moves further away from the wizard and the mercenaries he's been following.
As he's seen what one of the elven twin brothers is capable of. And he figures the other can do just as much damage when he wants to.
With a sideways glance at Uren the mercenary, Gilvanéllé the elven magic user quietly says "Probably".
In response to her dryly asking him "Get whoever it was that was out there?".
As they continue to watch the ball of flames and smoke rise hundreds of feet into the night sky above this part of the City of Ruins.
Uren grunts, then turns to some of the others in the tunnel with them, and quietly says to them "When those flames die down, get out there and kill any of those bastards who might of survived that".
Gilvanéllé the elven magic user nods his head, when the second in command of the company quietly tells him "Good work Gil".
In the next tunnel to the north, about seventy yards away from the one his twin brother Gilvanéllé is in.
Lolmildíll gestures and quietly says to Maygam "You see them".
"Yeah" murmurs Maygam the mercenary captain who spots movement about twenty yards opposite the tunnel entrance, in the tumbled down ruins out there.
"How many?" whispers Maygam with a glance at the elven magic user from the principality of Alínlae.
"I've spotted at least six" is the quietly reply of Lolm, who follows that with "But i hear more than that".
The mercenary captain grunts, then he quietly says to one of the two elven brothers serving in his company "Hit them".
Lolmildíll goes to casts a spell, as he does, he suddenly senses a spellcaster out there putting up wards.
The elf from the principality of Alínlae grins in anticipation, wondering if his spell will destroy the wards of the wizard out there and kill him.
Not taking any chances, and not caring if he's sensed or not. Greason the wizard slams up some wards around him when he gives the go head to the others to move out, and cross to the tunnel entrance nearby.
Just after he does, the tumbled down ruins that they're in, and in the case of him, and a few others, are just outside, around the back.
Explodes in an ear shattering blast, that sends stonework, dirt and sand flying in all directions.
Greason's barrier and protection spells are peppered by flying debris, that tears and rips apart the mercenaries with him.
But his wards remain intact, even though he's knocked sideways, and stubbles over.
"Fuck" mutters Greason the wizard, who stumbles upright, and looks around as the night is suddenly darker due to the air now being thick with dirt and swirling sand thanks to the large, and very loud explosion.
Greason, unlike most other practitioners of magic. Finds it fairly easy to cast two or three spells at once.
Casts a night vision spell upon himself. And grimaces when he sees the dead body on the ground to his left that's been torn to shreds.
He glances over his shoulder, and sees what's left of the tumbled down ruins is now gone.
Then he looks eastwards again, and not bothering to stick around, as this attack is now a lost cause, Greason the wizard teleports away into the night.
"Gone" says Lolmildíll the elven magic user, followed by "I'm pretty sure it was that wizard Greason" he then adds "He just took off".
Maygam the mercenary captain grunts, then murmurs "Good" he then asks "The others with him?".
"Dead I'd say" is the reply of the elven noble from the principality of Alínlae, who then adds "Some of them might of survived".
Maygam nods, then the mercenary captain says to those in the tunnel with them "Get out there, and kill any of them who might of survived that blast".
"Well that lot can look after themselves" quietly says Narladene the ground pixie.
After nodding his hooded head in agreement, Helbe the elven thief quietly says "Keep an eye out" followed by "Who knows, the one we're looking for might of returned" . . . . . .

The Find 45.

Autumn.

Northern central region of the Southlands. The pit. The ancient city of Dalphene. Also known as The City of Ruins.
Gilvanéllé the elven magic user slightly pauses, then frowns. The elven noble from the principality of Alínlae then ducks down and enters the tunnel.
He takes a couple of steps then grabs the mercenary Bracniss who is infront of him.
The mercenary freezes, almost in fright when the elven spellcaster takes a hold of him by the right arm.
No one wants to be touched by the elven mercenary, who is a well known pariah down here in the City of Ruins.
"Hurry ahead and get my brother Lolm" quietly and quickly says Gilvanéllé the elven magic user who continues on with "We're being followed".
In the darkness of the tunnel, the eyes of the mercenary Bracniss open wide in surprise.
"Tell Maygam too" quietly says the powerful practitioner of magic, who along with his twin brother Lolmildíll.
Was sent into exile at a fairly young age, when they were a little over a hundred years old to be exact. Sent into exile due to their depraved behaviour.
"We'll need others to stop whoever it is that's out there" quietly says Gilvanéllé or Gil as he's more commonly called by the others in the company.
"You four stay with me" says the elven noble from the principality of Alínlae, as Bracniss hurries forward through the dark tunnel.
"Move back" angrily hisses the powerful elven magic user, who then adds "If they get by me, it'll be up to you to stop them".
Gil or Gilvan as he's called by his twin brother Lolmildíll. Is pretty sure he heard quite a few people out there, not far from the tunnel entrance.
The elven magic user, who is pretty safe in the knowledge he can't be sensed by any other spellcaster, no matter how powerful they are.
Senses away again as he looks out of the mouth of the tunnel, slightly frowning as he does so.
The powerful elven magic user doesn't sense any other spellcaster nearby. But that doesn't mean there isn't anyone.
As he's sure he sensed something a little bit ago. As he and the others were walking towards the tunnel. After returning from the northern end of the giant hole in the ground, which contains the City of Ruins.
Looking out of the tunnel, Gil spots movement, and faintly smiles as he senses once more. This time for anything magical, and not specifically spellcasters.
He slightly nods, then murmurs "Gotcha". As this time he does sense something.
It takes him a few moments, as the practitioner of magic from house Jilenthàl in Alínlae casts an identification spell.
He sneers when he finds out there's someone out there who has a cast a heatball to keep themselves warm on this cold autumn evening.
He doesn't know who it is, but they're moving with that heatball. So he knows where they exactly are. And assumes they're holding their power within themselves so that they don't get sensed.
Gilvanéllé the elven magic user continues to look out of the mouth of the tunnel.
And spots movement again, not that far from the tunnel. This time he actually sees the person. A human, who definitely can't see into the tunnel entrance because of the darkness, even with a second moon of Volunell rising into the night sky.
Gil quickly casts a spell, and reads the mind of the man he's spotted.
The elven magic user slightly nods, then quietly says to those in the tunnel with him "Jarnok's lot" followed by "There's more than fifty of them, and they intend to enter the tunnel and attack the chamber our company uses".
Gil knows it's one of Jarnok's pet wizards out there. Either Greason or Lopaphil.
He doesn't care which one it is. But he knows whoever it is, has made a mistake with casting that heatball to keep themselves warm this evening.
The elven noble from the principality of Alínlae wouldn't be surprised if both are out there.
As he knows Greason and Lopaphil work in tandem quite often as Jarnok the mercenary captain likes them to do.
The pale looking elven mercenary with the near white hair, sneers in derision as he prepares a spell, that will take whatever wizard it is that's out there by surprise.
After running through the tunnel, which isn't illuminated at all as Maygam doesn't want them to be found in anyway.
And nearly getting skewered on the sword of one of his fellow company members who is on guard in the tunnel.
Bracniss the mercenary, breathing heavily from running, makes his way into the underground chamber the company is using.
He looks around, glad that the chamber is lit by some touches, and spots Lolmildíll the elven magic user across the chamber with Maygam himself, and the mercenary captain's second in command, Uren.
"Who knows if we'll find anymore of them" says Maygam the mercenary company, who is losing hope in finding any of the others in the company who got separated in the battle when Jorkamin's company entered the fray.
The captain of one of the more successful mercenary companies living and working down here in the pit.
Is just about to say something else, when he hears his and Lolm's names being called out from the otherside of the chamber.
He along with the elven magic user, and Maygam's second in command, Uren.
Turn, and spot one of the company hurrying this way. They see it's Bracniss, who went off with Gilvanéllé and some others late in the afternoon.
To try and find some of the company at the very northern end of the pit. Who Gil had run across earlier in the day.
"Wonder what it is?" muses Maygam the mercenary captain, who then glances to his right at the elven mercenary Lolmildíll.
"Lolm?" quietly asks the captain of one of the midsized mercenary companies down here in the City of Ruins.
The elven spellcaster must of read the mind of Bracniss before the mercenary gets to them.
Because Lolmildíll the elven magic user quickly says to Maygam and Uren "We're going to be attacked".
"Habbane is certain there's another tunnel a bit further away to the right" quietly says Chamiss the mercenary as he looks at the pair of wizards who are in charge of the group of about sixty of them from Jarnok's mercenary company.
The two spellcasters share a look, then Greason the wizard quietly says "Might as well" followed by "Beats us all trying to go into that one tunnel over there".
With a shrug of his shoulders, Lopaphil the wizard quietly says "Fine" he then adds "You want to go around there?".
The wizard in the fiery red robes nods, then says "Sure" Greason continues with "Be careful in there".
Then he moves off, taking some of the company with him. A little bit disappointed as he's no longer standing next to Lopaphil.
Who is still radiating warmth with that heatball he's got underneath his green coloured robes.
Watching all of this is Helbe the elven thief, who along with the rest of the group. Doesn't particularly want Maygam's company attacked by those in Jarnok's company.
True, the one they're searching for here in the City of Ruins isn't in the nearby underground chamber that Maygam and some of his company are using.
That doesn't mean they won't turn up there at anytime during the night. As some of Maygam's company have done during the afternoon.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel is on top of the ruins that one of the wizards in Jarnok's company is in with the bulk of the mercs they've brought along with them.
The blurred and shielded elven magic user looks away to the right and watches the other wizard.
The one in the red robes, who has taken about twenty of the company with him.
As they go in search of another tunnel that goes down to the underground chamber where Maygam's company are taking shelter.
The elven masterthief who hears the thud of an explosion away in the distance to the east.
As the battle continues this night for supremacy in the City of Ruins. With Jorkamin's company hoping to wipe out any of the other mercenary companies. Especially Jarnok's and Hamblett's.
Decides to follow the wizard in the red robes, who is heading to the right, or northwards.
Helbe the elven thief who knows he has to be careful of the elven twins in Maygam's company. As he's unable to sense them.
And he'll have to trust in Narladene the ground pixie who is on his right shoulder. To tell him what they're doing.
As he follows one of the wizards in Jarnok's mercenary company. Who still have no idea who it is that they're going to attack on this cold, autumn night in the City of Ruins.
"These mercs sure are hell bent on wiping one another out" murmurs Narladene the ground pixie to the elven masterthief she's attached to.
The young elven noble from the principality of Laerel, who is a member of the royal family that rules that island nation.
Nods his hooded head in agreement with the naturally magical creature from the Sunreach Mountains.
"It's why it's so damn difficult to find the one we're looking for" murmurs Helbe the elven thief.
The tiny winged creature preached on his right shoulder, nods her head in agreement.
As the blurred and shielded elven magic user floats about thirty feet off the ground.
Following behind the mercenaries from Jarnok's company, who are led by the wizard in the fiery red robes.
Meanwhile, further east in the City of Ruins. Though still a couple of miles to the north of the neutral zone.
Another wizard, this one in blue coloured robes. More rumpled and unkempt looking compared to the red robbed wizard, who happens to be his former friend.
Winces as Jorkamin the mercenary captain yells at one of his subordinates.
The mercenary captain has been in a foul mood since earlier in the day. Ever since one of his wyverns took off north, and didn't return.
Jorkamin's mood got even worse, when later in the afternoon, one of his warships was destroyed.
Brought down further to the west in the pit, where it slammed into the ground. And spent most of the rest of the afternoon burning away to near nothing.
The wizard Darmos suspects that the eight magetubes that were onboard may be salvaged.
That's if some of them weren't destroyed during the explosion, that was caused by a mageglobe of all things.
Darmos, who is essentially the second in command of the company. Still has no idea who brought down the airship. One of two warships that Jorkamin has.
The wizard only knows of one mage down here in the City of Ruins. A young one down towards the southern end of the pit.
Who even now, Darmos is just able to sense, as he's at the limit of the range the wizard in the blue robes can sense.
And the mageglobe that destroyed their airship, did not come from that mage down in the southern half of the giant hole in the ground.
Darmos who has just blown up an ancient ruin, shakes his head to one of the company who wants to speak to Jorkamin.
The mercenary nods then hurries away, as the mercenary captain continues to berate one of the others.
As the ancient building that Darmos just hit with a fairly destructive spell, burns behind them. Lighting up the cold autumn night, here in this part of the ancient city of Dalphene.
After chewing out one of the company, Jorkamin the mercenary captain walks over to Darmos, and tells him "Hamblett's".
"That's good" says Darmos the wizard, who continues with "That's less and less of his company now".
As the burning building about fifty feet infront of them, had members of Hamblett's mercenary company in it.
"He didn't bring down my ship" loudly mutters the mercenary captain. Who is usually a calm and collected individual. Just not when things aren't going his way.
Jorkamin lets out a sigh as they continue to watch the ancient building burn.
He shakes his head at the thought of how a spell can make stone thousands of years old burn.
But there it is, just fifty feet infront of him. As flames flick up into the air, on what's a cold autumn night in the ancient city of Dalphene, which is more widely known as, the City of Ruins.
The mercenary captain grunts when the overweight wizard in the frumpy looking blue robes tells him "The other ship should be up here sometime in the middle of the night" followed by "Or early in the morning".
Darmos continues with "We've wiped out a fair few of a lot of the other companies up here, including both Hamblett's and Jarnok's, especially Hamblett's".
The wizard who is the second in command of the company, then adds "We'll have the advantage in the air again soon enough, and we'll start wiping out anyone we spot down here on the ground".
Jorkamin's mood and temper somewhat lightens at the prospect of that.
True he's lost one of his wyverns, and one of his airships. But in little over a day his company has decimated a number of his rivals companies.
"You're right, well have the advantage in the air again soon" says Jorkamin the mercenary captain, who then faintly smiles as he adds "And we'll take out anyone else we find scrambling around down here".
"Get back you big fucking idiot" says lord Farque to Dorc da Orc, who has just muttered "Fucken hots" as he's tried to pick one up.
The large ork backs away from the smoldering and charred remains of the airship that Mira Reinholt the mage brought down in the afternoon.
The undead warlord stands amongst the brunt timbers, with one of the magetubes over his right shoulder.
The large, heavily armoured deathlord looks over at the ork warleader.
And once again wonders if he should let the big, burly ork from the southern polar region of the world have one.
"I'm probably going to regret this" mutters the lord of the death realm in a language that only he and the massive sword strapped to his back understands.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque then uses his right steel booted foot, to roll another of the magetubes through the charred wreckage.
Rolling the near thousand pound magical weapon to where the ork general is standing.
"Don't pick it up yet, it's still warm" says lord Farque, who is also known by the name of Draugadrottin to the people of his lands.
"Fucken sweet" murmurs Dorc da Orc, while nearby his bitter rival, sir Percavelle Lé Dic has a sour looking smile on his face as he thinks of the large ork using that magetube.
The deathlord of Farque is just about to tell the others to get ready to move out.
When he looks away to the north, and lifts an eyebrow as he senses what's about to happen.
Then the next moment, they all hear the thud of an explosion about a third of a mile away to the north.
"What was that?" asks Mira Reinholt the mage, who looks at lord Farque, and he adds "Or i should say, who was that?".
"One of those elves" is the reply from Draugadrottin, who continues with "Looks like one of those wizards from Jarnok's company and that lot have tried to attack Maygam's company".
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque briefly pauses before adding "A bit of a fight has broken out up there" . . . . . .

The Find 44.

Autumn.

The pit. The ancient city of Dalphene. More commonly called The City of Ruins.
"Over here i think" quietly says Bracniss the mercenary, drawing the rest of the group, including Gilvanéllé the elven mercenary over to him.
"What do you think Gil?" quietly asks the veteran mercenary who joined Maygam's company around the same time as the elven twins Gilvanéllé and Lolmildíll.
"It's them" says Gilvanéllé the elven magic user who points then adds "That's dwarven boot prints".
"Hilmik's" quietly says Bracniss, who due to length of service in the company, is in charge of the five humans with the elven noble from the principality of Alínlae who is with them.
As for Gilvanéllé, or Gil as he's more commonly called by the others in the company.
No one here is in charge of him. Infact he basically does whatever he wants to do.
Though like now, he will do what Maygam has requested of him. And that's to find the group of mercenaries from their company that Gil ran across earlier in the afternoon.
The powerful elven spellcaster looks at the tracks that lead up and out of the pit.
Which he can see far more easily than the five humans, as it's essentially dusk here in the City of Ruins.
Then the elven noble who hails from the principality of Alínlae, says in his harsh voice to the others "Stand close".
They quickly do so, surrounding the elven spellcaster. The next instant they disappear, and a moment later they reappear about forty yards away, up and out of the giant hole in the ground.
Within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, or as it's more commonly called, the City of Ruins.
"By the forest gods" mutters Gilvanéllé of house Jilenthàl as he looks down and can't make out the tracks on the ground of the group they're supposed to be looking for.
"What is it Gil?" quietly asks Bracniss, who is the only one game enough to speak with the elven magic user who is a pariah.
Who along with his twin brother, is quite well known throughout the City of Ruins by the other mercenary companies, and groups of treasure seekers.
Having some what of a disreputable reputation. For the simple reason they're well known killers. Not to mention both are rapists if things are to believed. And that Gilvanéllé is apparently someone that often eats those he kills.
Bracniss who has known the elven twins long enough, to know that at least half of the rumours about them are definitely true. And the other half are probably true.
Looks down and tries to decipher the tracks scattered across the ground, here at the edge of the pit, overlooking the ancient city of Dalphene.
It's now too dark for the human mercenary to clearly see what's going on.
But with what little he can see, he's pretty certain the tracks of Hilmik the dwarf have disappeared amongst a myriad of other tracks that go all over the place.
"What the hell?" mutters Bracniss the mercenary, who continues with "It looks like a flock of rampaging sheep went through here".
"Goblins" sourly says Gilvanéllé the elven magic user, followed by "Wild ones".
Bracniss and some of the other mercenaries wince when they hear that.
Then the elven noble who is originally from the principality of Alínlae looks away to the east, then to the west.
Gil shrugs his shoulders, then says "Who the hell knows which way they've gone".
The powerful elven spellcaster continues with "That lot either turns up back south or they don't". Gilvanéllé then says in a harsh tone "Stand close, we're going".
No one argues with him, even though Maygam wanted Almard the mercenary and those with him found.
The five human mercenaries stand close around Gilvanéllé the elven magic user. Who looks away to the south across the City of Ruins as dusk gives way to nightfall.
They all disappear when the elven mercenary from the principality of Alínlae teleports them all back south. Meanwhile the five mercenaries from their company who they were looking for. Are now to the west of the pit.
After going south for about half a mile after they left behind the mob of wild goblins who chased them for a bit.
Almard the mercenary thought it would be best to stop for the night.
Especially since they've basically been on the run since yesterday afternoon.
And most, if not all of them. Are bone tired after being on the run, with nerves frayed as they've made their way out of the giant hole in the ground, within which is the ancient city of Dalphene.
Nowadays, or for that matter, for the last millennia and a half, has been more commonly called, the City of Ruins.
Now with night having fallen, and the early evening even colder than it was during the day.
The five of them are looking for shelter. Heading further west, away from the pit. Down in which is the ancient city of Dalphene.
It's Hilmik with his dwarven eyesight who spots it. They knew there was farmland further west of the City of Ruins.
And in the distance, a good mile and a half from the western edge of the giant hole in the ground.
The young dwarven warrior from the Colevar Mountains. Spots an old ramshackle looking barn.
Which as they get closer and closer to, even the humans with the help of one of the three moons already up in the night sky. Are able to see that it hasn't been in use for a number of the years.
Nevertheless it gives shelter to Zam, Hilmik, Farnill, Melmear and Almard. All of whom, even the dwarven warrior. Are tired after the ordeal they've gone through since yesterday afternoon.
And though they haven't got much in the way of food amongst their supplies.
That may be so, but the five mercenaries who are part of Maygam's company.
Are just glad to be out of the cold wind, which has picked up since the sun set in the west, on what was a clear and sunny, but cold autimmn day here in the north, of the central region of the Southlands.
Yawning as he scrapes dirt to one side with his right footed boot, so that he can have somewhere fairly level to lie down.
Zam the mercenary quietly says "Least we're out of that wind now" followed by "Forget how windy it can get up here".
To make his point, some of the loose boards of the wall away to his right, rattle as a gust of wind blows by.
For down in the pit, one becomes accustomed to the lack of wind. Where the strongest the wind really ever gets on a normal day is a strong breeze every so often.
And even during a storm that might cross the area. The wind down in the City of Ruins will be significantly less than it is up top, in the surrounding countryside.
Melmear nods in agreement as she lies on her bedroll, having brought it with her. The only one to do so.
The teenage girl from the Last Village down in the giant hole in the ground. Also has a bag of trail rations. Dried fruit in this instance. Which she shares with the others.
While Hilmik has a flask of grog, which he always has on him. The young dwarven warrior from the Colevar Mountains shares it with the other.
As they pass around the flask of grog, and sip from it. The five mercenaries from Maygam's company quietly discuss what they'll do.
"We'll set off early before dawn" quietly says Almard the mercenary, who is more or less their leader.
For the simple reason he's the helper of Uren, who is the second in command of Maygam's mercenary company.
"Shouldn't be too much trouble heading south" adds Almard who figures there's about nine more miles worth of travel to get to the southern end of the pit.
He continues on with "Apart from the occasional band of bandits up here, it's a lot more safer up here than it is down in the pit".
They all nod in agreement to that. For apart from the towns and villages down in the southern end of the giant hole in the ground, along with the neutral zone in the middle of the pit.
The City of Ruins is one massive free for all. Where you take what you want, from whoever. As the lure of treasure and coins is great down there.
It's why mercenary companies, usually the larger ones. Have thrived down in the ancient city of Dalphene.
In comparison to smaller bands of adventurers, and solo treasure hunters. Who are usually preyed upon by the larger mercenary company.
A smaller band of adventurers down in the pit, not easily preyed upon by larger mercenary companies.
Is the band led by lord Farque, who are down in the pit searching for someone.
Who at this moment, is top side in an old barn, about a mile and a half to the west of the City of Ruins as night settles upon the northern, central region of the Southlands.
One of the members of the small group of adventurers, as per normal when they're doing things.
Is away from the others, infront of them as they're close to a group of mercenaries who in the early evening, are planning to attack some other mercenaries, who aren't all that far away, in one of the underground chambers beneath the ancient city of Dalphene.
Helbe the elven thief gets close to the mercenaries, to watch and listen to them. Mercenaries from Jarnok's company.
The blurred and shielded elven magic user from the island principality of Laerel, who is a member of the royal family that rules that nation.
Rolls his eyes, when he finds out that Jarnok's company, well about sixty of them at least, don't exactly know who it is they're planning to attack.
The young elven noble who is a member of the personal council to lord Farque, makes his way into one of the nearby ruins.
Where some of Jarnok's company have taken shelter in, on what's a cold autumn evening down here in the giant hole in the ground.
Within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, more commonly called the City of Ruins.
Sitting down with his back against a fairly solid wall, Lopaphil the wizard looks up, as Greason the wizard hisses to some of the men "No fire".
As they were about to set and light a fire, to keep themselves warm here in the ruins of a large building.
The wizard in the fiery red coloured robes, makes his way over to his fellow spellcaster.
And with a grunt sits down next to the wizard in the green coloured robes.
Greason lifts an eyebrow, as the air around Lopaphil is fairly warm, well it's not cold for certain.
The green robed wizard parts one of his outer robes, to show him holding a small ball of dull light, that's giving off heat.
"Smart move" murmurs Greason as he sits closer to his fellow wizard, so that they're shoulder to shoulder.
After closing his outer robe up, Lopaphil the wizard quietly asks "Habbane and those others find that tunnel again?".
"He says it close by" is the quiet reply of Greason the wizard, who is as different in appearance and personality as his fellow spellcaster as one can get.
He's short and lean, with a bit of an abrupt personality. While Lopaphil is tall and pudgy. Who is the more of a gregarious individual.
Greason is the older of the two wizards. But the two of them are in charge of this group that Jarnok has sent to deal with some other mercenary company that is nearby.
They don't know who it is, just that Habbane and a couple of the others, earlier in the day followed some mercenaries to a nearby tunnel.
Which they observed throughout the afternoon, watching a number of people entering it throughout the afternoon.
They don't know who they exactly are, Jorkamin's company is their best guess.
But they could be from any mercenary company. Who got caught up in the battle, here to the north of the neutral zone in the City of Ruins.
"I didn't sense anyone" quietly says Lopaphil the wizard, who like his fellow practitioner of magic.
Is now holding his power within himself, just incase there's a spellcaster close by who might sense them.
"Nor did i" quietly says Greason, who continues on with "At least that's something".
His fellow wizard nods in agreement, then the younger of the two spellcasters quietly asks "Darmos still away to the east?".
Greason sourly smiles at the mention of the wizard who is his former friend, who is now basically Jorkamin's second in command.
"Last time i checked he was" mutters the short and lean wizard in the fiery red robes.
Lopaphil nods, then quietly says "Well whoever it is that's nearby, there's no spellcaster with them".
Greason the wizard is silent for a moment, then he quietly says "You hope".
He briefly pauses before continuing on with "I think you're right though" followed by "Who they might be, I've no idea" continued with "Best guess is from Jorkamin's company as there's so many of them up here in this part of the pit now".
Lopaphil is just about to say something, when one of the mercenaries, Chamiss comes over and quietly says to them "Habbane and the others have just spotted a group of about five or six of them heading towards that tunnel".
The wizards share a look, then Greason quietly says to Chamiss "Spread the word, we're moving out".
The two spellcasters, who are glad that they're in charge. And that Jarnok didn't send Tunga the troll to lead this lot.
Have decided to attack whoever it is that's underground nearby. When more of whoever these mercs are, turn up. So that they can follow them through the tunnel to the underground chamber.
The sixty or so from Jarnok's company move out from the ancient ruin.
While Helbe the elven thief watches them, wondering how he can divert the attack they plan to do on those in Maygam's company who are nearby in an underground chamber.
As the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel follows them.
Narladene the ground pixie turns up, and informs them that the elven magic user Gilvanéllé and the five other mercs in Maygam's company he left with late in the afternoon.
Have just turned up, and just gone into the tunnel, that Jarnok's men, led by the two wizards, are heading to on this cold, autumn night down here in the City of Ruins.
"Well, this is about to get interesting" Helbe the elven thief whispers to Narladene the ground pixie as he follows those in Jarnok's mercenary company . . . . . .

The Find 43.

Autumn.

The giant hole in the ground. Also called the pit. In which is the ancient city of Dalphene. More widely known as The City of Ruins.
They appear out of thin air near the northern end of the giant hole in the ground.
There's five of them along with Gilvanéllé the elven magic user. He only knows a couple of them. One of whom is Bracniss, the only one he bothers talking to, as the mercenary from the city-state of Kuradum joined Maygam's company around the same time as Gilvanéllé and his twin brother Lolmildíll.
"They heading up out of the pit Gil?" asks Bracniss, the only one brave enough to speak with the powerful elven magic user who teleported them up here.
"That's what they were intending to do" is the harsh reply from Gilvanéllé the elven mercenary as they look around in the fading light of late afternoon.
Bracniss, who didn't really want this task. Nor did the others, but were ordered to by Maygam himself.
Looks at the other four mercenaries, and quietly tells them "Keep close, don't get separated".
The older merc from Kuradum, continues on with "And keep an eye out for that other lot" followed by "Almard and the others".
Looking at the elven noble from the principality of Alínlae, Bracniss quietly asks him "How many are there Gil?".
"Six" is the sharp, angry sounding response from the elven magic user, who momentarily pauses before he adds in more calm tone of voice, with "Five".
As he remembers he killed one of the group earlier in the afternoon, as they were trying to get out of the pit, chased by the large, ant like creatures found at this end of the giant hole in the ground.
Within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, more commonly called the City of Ruins.
"Might as well head that way" says Bracniss the mercenary with a nod of his head to the north.
They set off through the mounds and piles of dirt, sand and debris that dot the very north of the pit.
With the elven magic user originally from the principality of Alínlae leading the way.
In the late afternoon light of what's been a sunny, but cold autumn day, down here in the giant hole in the ground.
They soon go by one of the giant ant like creatures that Gilvanéllé the elven mercenary killed earlier in the afternoon.
"Big brute" comes from one of them, and another of the mercs mutters "Ugly bugger" as they walk by it.
That's the only thing said about it as they make their way northwards, weaving between the many piles of dirt, sand and debris.
Found here, at the very northern end of the ancient city of Dalphene, more commonly called the City of Ruins.
Sticking his head up through the latest hole in the ground he's dug this afternoon.
Charles the goblin watches the small group of people walk by about twenty yards away from where he is.
Charles, whose given name is actually Dirt Digger. Ducks back down beneath the ground when he spots who it is that's leading them.
It's the elf he saw earlier in the afternoon, who he's seen a number of times up here at the northern end of the pit.
Dirt Digger, or Charles as he calls himself. Might not know a lot about the various mercenaries, adventurers and treasure seekers found throughout the City of Ruins.
But he does know about that elf, and his twin brother. Both of whom are magic users.
And he knows to keep away from the both of them. Especially the one with the pale, almost white coloured hair who has just walked by with a small group of human mercenaries.
Charles has seen the results of that elven spellcaster's handiwork. And it isn't pretty.
Meanwhile, further south, though still to the north of the neutral zone, here in the giant hole in the ground, within which is the ancient city of Dalphene.
Beldane the cleric is looking north as the entire pit falls into shadow, now that sun is setting away to the west.
On what's been a sunny and clear, but cold day here in the northern area of the central region of the Southlands.
The fighting cleric from the kingdom of Nastell, who has cast a farsight spell upon himself, is looking towards the very northern end of the pit.
Next to the cleric, who is a member of the church of Glaine. Stands lord Farque and Helbe the elven thief.
The three of them are on top of the ancient, and rather crumbling looking tower that the highly talented elven magic user was on a little earlier this afternoon.
"Quite a few places up there" says Helbe the elven thief as he looks away to the north as the long period of gloom takes effect here in the pit, before dusk actually takes place.
It's one of the quirks of the City of Ruins. Especially through the middle of autumn, and all the way through winter, and into early spring.
When the giant hole in the ground is completely in shadow, before the sun actually sets in the west.
It's one of the quirks of the geography of the pit, within which is the ancient city of Dalphene.
"Pick any good spots?" asks the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, with a sideways glance at his fellow spellcaster, the cleric who hails from the kingdom of Nastell.
"There's a few" says Beldane the cleric, who pauses for a moment or two, before he quietly continues with "Hell of a lot of piles of dirt up there".
Nodding his hooded head in agreement with the powerful spellcaster in the church of Glaine.
The highly talented elven magic user says "A lot of people trying to dig up any ruins that could be up there".
The elven masterthief continues with "Or dig up anything really" followed by "No one knows exactly how big Dalphene was, so they keep digging and expanding the pit".
The member of the church of Glaine nods at that, then the two spellcasters glance at lord Farque who has been silent since the three of them made their way up here.
While the rest of the group, remain down at the base of the tower. Both inside and outside, as the entire City of Ruins is in shadow, now that it's basically at the end of the afternoon.
On what's been a sunny, but cold autumn day, down here in the giant hole in the ground.
Sensing all manner of lifeforms at the northern end of the pit, some of which cause him to lift an eyebrow in surprise.
Lord Farque points and says "That elven magic user Gilvanéllé is there" followed by "He's got five others from that company with him".
"Think they're searching for the one we're after?" quietly asks the spellcaster in the half plate armour, who has a magical mace strapped to his belt.
The undead warlord, who also has a mace. Though not as elaborate looking or magical like the cleric's one.
His is more plain, heavier, and frankly brutal looking than the one the fighting cleric has.
Quietly says in reply to Beldane's question "They might be" followed by "We do know they're looking for lost members of their company, so the one we're after could be amongst those they're looking for up there".
Switching to the royal elven language, the large, heavily armoured deathlord says "We'll know for certain when that gnat of yours gets back".
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel grins at the description of Narladene the ground pixie.
Then he nods his hooded head in agreement with the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
The lord of the death realm resumes speaking in the normal elven language, which all three of them speak and understand.
"We might be able to have them search for us, while we search elsewhere" says the deathlord of Farque, who pauses as he looks away to their right, then says "Company".
Helbe the elven thief looks that way when he senses what the undead being has already sensed.
Beldane the cleric looks that way too. And though he's holding most of his power within himself, he senses what those two have already sensed.
"Jarnok's company" quietly says the elven master assassin, who has ducked down, as has the cleric in the church of Glaine.
The deathlord of Farque doesn't duck down until after he calls down to those outside, to get inside the ancient tower with tveveryone else.
As Mira Reinholt the mage, Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, and Tamric Drubine the field commander hurry into the ancient tower of the city watch of Dalphene.
Peering over the broken top of the tower, the grandson of Prince Raendril of Laerel quietly says "The two wizards are with them".
As there's about sixty or so mercenaries just fifty yards to the northeast of the tower.
Moving through the gloomy shade as they head westwards as the sun continues to set away to the west, up top, out of the pit.
"I hope they're not going to do what i think they might" dryly says lord Farque, who is also known by the name of Draugadrottin to his people.
"Which is what?" quietly asks the elven masterthief, who then winces as he realises what the large, heavily armoured deathlord means.
"What?" quietly asks the fighting cleric from the north of the kingdom of Nastell, where his god Glaine, is predominantly worshiped.
Ignoring the powerful Nastellian spellcaster's question, the undead warlord quietly says to the highly talented elven magic user "Find out".
The elven princeling from Laerel nods his hooded head, then peeking over the top of broken wall along the top of the tower.
The elven spellcaster who is shielded, quickly reads the minds of some of the mercenaries in Jarnok's company who are now passing to the north of the ancient watch tower.
"They are" quietly says the elven master archer, who continues with "They don't know exactly where it is" followed by "But they know where some of the tunnels are that lead to it". "Great" sourly says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
While Beldane the cleric winces, as he realises that those in Jarnok's mercenary company who are passing just to the north of the ancient watch tower.
More or less know where a fair few of Maygam's mercenary company are taking shelter in an underground chamber.
"Be our fucking luck for the one we're after to show up and rejoin their company, just as this fucking lot attacks them" sourly mutters lord Farque.
Meanwhile, the one they're after. Is out of the pit along with the rest of the small group from Maygam's company they're with.
With the sun setting on what's been a cold autumn day here in the north, of the central region of the Southlands.
They're to the west of the pit, heading south after being chased by a mob of wild goblins not long after they got out of the City of Ruins.
They were chased for nearly a mile by the mob of wild goblins. Who were angry because of the giant ant like creatures had killed a fair few of their number.
And they blamed the five remaining mercenaries from Maygam's company at the very northern end of the pit, for stirring up the creatures.
Breathing heavily now that they've stopped running, and are now walking quickly southwards, just to the west of the giant hole in the ground.
Within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, or as it's more commonly called the City of Ruins.
"Think we're safe?" asks Melmear the mercenary who speaks in a hushed tone of voice.
"I doubt it" is the quiet reply from the back of the group by Almard the mercenary, who continues with "It's more than ten miles to the southern end of the pit".
The experienced mercenary, who is the helper to Uren, the second in command of the company then adds "We'll definitely run into trouble, especially since it's almost nightfall".
As dusk has settled upon the land, now that the sun has set in the west, on what's been a cold autumn day here in this area in the north, of the central region of the Southlands . . . . . .

The Find 42.

Autumn.

In the north of the central region of the Southlands. Within the giant hole in the ground. In which lies the City of Ruins.
"What is it?" quietly asks Helbe the elven thief who has moved out of the ruins he was in, and is now on top of an ancient, and crumbling tower.
"Best if i go on ahead and check them out" is the quiet reply from Narladene the ground pixie who once again, is on the right shoulder of the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, who she is attached to.
"Fine by me" is the quiet reply of the elven magic user who looks away to the southwest, and sees that there's still smoke rising up into the air from the downed airship.
"They're still that way" says the tiny winged creature who points in the direction she can sense the elven twins from the principality of Alínlae.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel nods his hooded head, then quietly says "I'll keep an eye out for anyone else going that way, or coming from there".
The naturally magical creature who is from the Sunreach Mountains nods, then she takes off.
While the highly talented elven magic user, who is blurred and shielded, remains on top of the ancient tower.
The ground pixie makes her way through the air, as it gets cooler late in the afternoon.
On what's been a cold autumn day here in the giant hole in the ground, in which is the ancient city of Dalphene, more commonly called the City of Ruins.
Narladene has only gone a couple hundred yards, when she senses something.
"Drats" mutters the tiny winged creature as one of the elven twins has just teleported away, taking a handful of others with him.
The ground pixie doesn't even bother going the way they went. She continues on to where she senses the other elven spellcaster who is Maygam's mercenary company.
The naturally magical creature drops down into the ground when she's close to a series of ancient, dilapidated buildings.
Narladene goes through the sandy ground, quicker than she does the air. And is soon beneath the ancient ruins, she senses one of the elven magic users in.
And from the vibrations she feels through the ground, she knows there's quite a few others with the nobleborn elf from the principality of Alínlae.
Then mindful of the warning that lord Farque gave her. Narladene pops her head up through the ground in the ancient ruins, as far from the elven spellcaster as possible.
About a three quarters of a mile back east, heading towards the ancient, crumbling tower that Helbe the elven thief is still up.
Lord Farque walks alongside Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy as more and more of the pit falls into shade as it gets later and later in the afternoon.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque is discussing something with the elven spy who hails from the principality of Alínlae.
With a frown upon his smooth, ageless face, Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy quietly says "Maybe" followed by "They sound vaguely familiar".
In response to a question from the large, heavily armoured deathlord as they follow behind Lisell Maera the scout, and Beldane the cleric.
"Hmmm nobleborn twins" murmurs Dalinvardèl Tanith, who more often than not, is called Dalin by the others in the group.
The spy Tanith with the frown still upon his youthful looking face, then asks the undead warlord "How old are they?" followed by "Do you know?".
Sensing away to the west, the lord of the death realm sourly smiles as he finds one of the elven twins in Maygam's company has teleported away when he senses for them.
Lord Farque who can sense the rate of a living being towards their natural death, quietly says "Over four hundred years old" followed by "Closer to four hundred and fifty".
"Born just after the war" muses Dalinvardèl Tanith, who winces then looks sharply at the undead being, and quietly says "Sorry".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord doesn't say anything to that, instead he asks "Well, do you?".
The elven spy racks his brain as he tries to recall any twins of that age, amongst the noble houses, both minor and major houses of his homeland, the principality of Alínlae.
One would think that elves, since they're not as proliferate as humans, or other races for that matter.
It would be fairly easy to identify nobleborn elven twins of a certain age in any particular principality.
But that's not necessarily so, as twins amongst elven families is quite common.
More so than you'd find in any human population found not just throughout the Southlands, but right across the world of Volunell.
"Don't recall any noble twins that age" quietly says the elven spy, who himself is just over three hundred years old, still fairly young for an elf.
Though not as young as Helbe the elven thief, who at two and a quarter centuries old.
Is very young for an elf, especially a royal elf. Who could potentially live to be over fifteen hundred years old.
Then Dalin who previously served in one of the more prominent noble houses of Alínlae, recalls a tidbit of information about some young twins who were sent into exile before he was born.
"Wait a moment" quietly says the spy Tanith, who like the undead warlord, is speaking the elven language.
As they climb over some rubble, Dalinvardèl Tanith continues with "Twin brothers from house Jilenthàl were sent into exile when they were young".
The elven spy who is a company commander in the scouts and rangers division of the lands Farque, then explains "Jilenthàl is one of the mid tier houses" followed "They used to be more prominent, but something happened, i don't know what, but they no longer hold the position amongst the Alínlae nobility they once did".
"These two are pretty powerful for elven magic users who aren't in a royal family" quietly says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
Dalin nods, then says "So i believe from the rumours i recall" followed by "Lolmildíll and Gilvanéllé i think are their names".
The spy Tanith continues on with "Whatever they did it must of been pretty bad" he then adds "Not often noble elves are sent into exile, especially considering they would of been really young when they got kicked out of the principality".
Nodding his full helmed head, lord Farque quietly says "Well, we've got names for them now, that's something i guess".
The undead warlord then quietly adds as they head westwards "Lolmildíll and Gilvanéllé".
Narladene the ground pixie is watching one of the twins, she quickly finds out which one it is, as she overhears a few of the mercenaries call him by his nickname, Lolm.
The naturally magical creature watches him from a distance. And doesn't find anything out of the ordinary about him.
Apart from him being a rather thin, even for an elf. And being quite pale. Though that's not too different than a lot of elves. As many of them are pale
The ground pixie after watching the elven noble from the principality of Alínlae, who is quietly speaking with a human woman by the name of Uren.
Recalls why she, and the rest of the group are here in the City of Ruins in the first place.
And that's to find someone, who turns out to be a mercenary in Maygam's company.
Now that Narladene has found a fair chunk of that particular company. She looks at all of those in the underground chamber, to see if they're here.
There's a little over forty people in the chamber, including Maygam himself.
And the naturally magical creature from the Sunreach Mountains looks at them one by one.
She soon finds out the one she, and the rest of the group are searching for, isn't here.
The tiny winged creature sourly smiles, then watches and listens as the mercenary captain speaks with Uren and the elven magic user named Lolm.
Narladene nods to herself as she hears that they're attempting to find the others in their company up here to the north of the neutral zone.
Who got separated from them yesterday afternoon when Jorkamin and his mercenary company entered the battle that was going on between Hamblett and Jarnok's companies.
The naturally magical creature who realises that the other twin, must of gone with a handful of others, to help search for the stragglers in their company.
Sinks back into the ground, and heads back to the ancient tower that she senses Helbe the elven thief is still up.
Looking back behind him to the east in the late afternoon light, of what's been a sunny, but cold autumn day here in the City of Ruins.
Helbe the elven thief spots the rest of the group heading this way.
The young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel, who is blurred and shielded.
Knows that lord Farque is able to sense him. Indeed, the undead warlord who is a few hundred yards away, is looking at him up on the ancient tower.
Which was a guard tower in the ancient city of Dalphene, when it was a city on the otherside of the world.
Until it was brought here to the northern central region of the Southlands by the Greater Dragon Kor.
The highly talented elven magic user glances at his right shoulder as Narladene the ground pixie suddenly appears there.
"There's quite a few of Maygam's company there" quietly says the naturally magical creature who is attached to the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel.
"Unfortunately the one we're looking for isn't" adds the ground pixie from the Sunreach Mountains.
Narladene then informs the elven master assassin what else she discovered in the nearby underground chamber that Maygam's mercenary company are using.
"Seems we'll have to keep on looking" quietly says the elf who is a member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
"We better go and tell the others" adds the young elven noble who is a member of the royal family that rules the principality of Laerel.
The elven masterthief then shifts away, heading back to where the rest of the group are coming this way.
Lord Farque orders a stop in one of the ancient ruins, a shell of a building, without a couple of walls, and no roof whatsoever.
The ancient building had a number of rooms and chambers. And the undead warlord is in one with the members of his personal council who are here with him in the pit.
While the rest of the group are out in two of the other rooms in the ancient building.
"You sure?" quietly asks lord Farque as he looks at Helbe the elven thief.
"Definitely" replies the elven princeling, while on his right shoulder, Narladene the ground pixie nods.
The undead being, who is also known by the name of Draugadrottin to the people of his lands, sourly grunts at hearing that.
"At least we know where the one we're after isn't" says Mira Reinholt the mage, who is crouching down, while next to him, Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit is sitting on some rubble.
"They may end up there if they're found by any of the others in the company" says the elven magic user who is the envoy for the armies of Farque.
"That's something i guess" says Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit as the light starts to fade, and the shadows take more effect across the pit, as the sun is starting to go down in the west.
On what's been a sunny and clear, but cold autumn day here in this region of the Southlands.
The large, heavily armoured deathlord who is standing in one of the remaining corners of the room looks away to the right.
Prince Helbenthril Raendril asks the undead warlord "What is it?".
"Fighting" is the reply of the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who continues with "About quarter of a mile away to the northeast".
The elven master assassin carefully listens, then nods his hooded head in agreement, as he too hears the sound of fighting that way.
"So what should we do?" asks the once powerful mage who is from the city-state of Vexil, his homeland that he's in exile from.
"Wait close to that lot nearby, incase they find the one we're after and bring them back there" continues the mage Reinholt who then adds "Or continue our own search?".
The three council members, one human, one elf, and the other halfling.
Along with ground pixie on the right shoulder of the young elven noble from the island principality of Laerel.
Look at the large, dark figure standing in the corner who is silent for a few moments before he speaks again.
"We continue our own search" says lord Farque who has the elven name of Des'tier, which translates to, The Destroyer.
"No use waiting around for that lot, only to have the one we're after killed elsewhere in the pit" continues the undead warlord.
Draugadrottin briefly pauses as he thinks of something, then he says "Though we will use that lot nearby".
Helbe the elven thief lifts an eyebrow, then slightly nods his hooded head when the lord and ruler of the lands Farque explains something.
"That other elven magic user took off with a small group of others" says the lord of the death realm, who follows that with "Gilvanéllé".
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque continues with "More than likely to find those who are lost from the rest of the company" who then adds "We'll follow after them".
"Which way did that elf and those with him go?" asks Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit.
"North" reply both lord Farque and Helbe the elven thief . . . . . .

The Find 41.

Autumn.

Within the giant hole in the ground. Also called the pit. The ancient city of Dalphene. More commonly called, The City of Ruins.
"That won't be bothering us anymore" says Mira Reinholt the mage, who briefly pauses before adding "Or anyone for that matter".
Next to him, his fellow councilor, Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit nods in agreement with him.
As they look to the west at the smoke that's continuing to rise up in the afternoon sky.
The once powerful mage who just destroyed the warship with a mageglobe, turns as lord Farque approaches.
The undead warlord wanted the airship destroyed for the simple reason those onboard shot at them a little earlier.
"That's out of the picture" says the mage Reinholt with a nod of his hooded head in the direction of the downed warship, that belonged to the mercenary captain, Jorkamin.
The undead warlord nods his full helmed head to that, then lord Farque says "No, not amongst them".
In reply to the spellcaster who is in exile from his homeland, the city-state of Vexil asking him "They among that lot who were fighting nearby?".
"Pity" murmurs Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, who has a feeling that finding the one they're searching for, isn't going to be easy.
The mage, who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, looks up at the afternoon sky above the pit, and asks the heavily armoured deathlord "Anymore around?".
"Nothing" is the reply from lord Farque, or Draugadrottin which is another of his names, that the people of his lands know him by.
"No airships apart from a sightseeing one down at the southern end of the pit" continues the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who then adds "And no wyverns as well".
Mira Reinholt and Jarjin Littlefoot, both members of lord Farque's personal council, nod at that.
As the wyvern rider that has been circling on and off above the pit since yesterday afternoon.
Was killed a little earlier by Helbe the elven thief, causing the wyvern to take off. It headed north, with little to no chance of ever coming back. As wyverns tend to be fractious creatures. The tamed ones tend go to pieces if they've got no structure in their lives.
The three of them look back as some of the others in the group walk up to them.
There's Tamric Drubine the field commander, along with his lover, Saanea the witch.
With the young couple, is Tovis the war engineer. Who is followed by Shur Kee the monk.
Behind them is sir Percavelle Lé Dic, while at the back of the group is Dorc da Orc.
Somewhere out infront is Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven spy, Lisell Maera the scout, and Beldane the cleric.
Meanwhile, there's also Helbe the elven thief, along with Narladene the ground pixie.
With the exception of lord Farque, no one knows where the two of them are.
Just that they're in the northern half of the pit, somewhere to the north of the neutral zone.
Popping her head up through the sandy ground, Narladene the ground pixie has a look around.
And spots a bunch of mercenaries run by, heading towards one of the ancient buildings in this part of the City of Ruins.
The naturally magical creature, who is originally from the Sunreach Mountains.
Follows after them, to see which mercenary company they belong to.
The tiny winged creature doesn't follow them for long when she hears that they belong to Hamblett's company.
The ground pixie moves off, and goes in search of Helbe the elven thief, who isn't all that far away.
Here a couple of miles to the north of the neutral zone in the giant hole in the ground, within which is the ancient city of Dalphene. Which is more commonly known by the name of, the City of Ruins.
The naturally magical creature finds the highly talented elven magic user coming out of an underground tunnel, that comes up into a fallen down ruin of a building.
"Who was down there?" quietly asks Narladene the ground pixie after she lands upon the right shoulder of the young elven noble who hails from the island principality of Laerel.
"Some of Jarnok's men" is the quiet reply of Helbe the elven thief, who informs Narladene that the tunnel is one of a number that leads to a underground chamber that Jarnok's mercenary company is using.
"I think his company, and the others will stick up more of a fight" says the highly talented elven magic user, who then adds "Now that Jorkamin's wyvern has gone, and his warship destroyed".
The two of them can see the column of smoke rising up into the sky to the southwest of where they are.
"Mira got that good" says the tiny winged creature to the elven masterthief she's attached to.
The elven spellcaster, who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel, nods his hooded in agreement with the ground pixie.
Then Helbe the elven thief, who is blurred and shielded, asks the naturally magical creature "Find any more of them?".
"Nope" is the reply of Narladene, who then asks the elven master assassin "You?".
The elf in the white hooded cloak shakes his head no, then murmurs "Never said it would be easy".
The grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel who is looking around in all directions then asks the ground pixie "Can you sense those two elves in his company?".
The rumours they've heard about Maygam's mercenary company, is that he's got a set of nefarious elven twins working for him.
Spellcasters from the principality of Alínlae, which makes them nobleborn.
The highly talented elven magic user has been unable to sense them, either one or both of them, something he finds more than a little odd.
As the grandson of prince Raendril of Laerel, usually doesn't have any problems sensing other spellcasters in the vicinity.
At least within a few miles of wherever he may be, as that's about the limit of his powers, and his ability to sense.
The ground pixie senses in all directions, and she finds ever single spellcaster in all of the City of Ruins.
The tiny winged creature soon finds the two elven magic users in question.
"That way" says the naturally magical creature from the Sunreach Mountains, who points away to the west.
"About half, maybe three quarters of a mile away" adds Narladene, who then suddenly frowns, and asks "Can't you sense them?".
As she knows the highly talented elven magical user from the island principality of Laerel, should be able to sense the nobleborn twins from the principality of Alínlae.
"I can't" says the elven masterthief, who points as he adds "I can sense those two wizards that way, and the other wizard back the way we came from".
The young elven noble from Laerel continues with "But i can't sense those two from Alínlae".
The ground pixie continues frowning, then senses again, locating the nobleborn elves who hail from Alínlae, the same principality that Dalinvardèl Tanith the spy is from.
After a moment, Narladene looks sharply at the elven princeling she's attached to, studying the shield spell that he basically always casts.
"Well, i never" murmurs the naturally magical creature, who then says "They're shielded".
Helbe the elven spy blinks in surprise, for the shield spell he has upon himself, is one he invented, and has yet to teach anyone else it.
"Spell?" asks the highly talented elven magic user who unlike most other spellcasters, has invented numerous spells over the years.
When most spellcasters, don't even create or invent a single one in their entire lifetime.
"No" is the reply of the ground pixie, who continues on with "They both have items that approximately do the same thing" she then adds "Similar to that trinket Mira had".
Prince Helbenthril Raendril grunts as he recalls the necklace, and the artifact attached to it that the mage Reinholt used to have.
Taken from him a couple of years ago, when half the group went through the rift/void spell that Vexilian mage accidentally cast.
Sending them to the far east coast of the continent, to the Sultanate of Dreese.
Where the once powerful mage was taken captive by the deranged, and power mad leader of that nation.
"Linked by the feel of it" explains Narladene, who follows that with "Making it twice as powerful as it normally be".
"Interesting" murmurs the elf, who is a member of the personal council to lord Farque.
Who then slightly frowns when the tiny winged creature attached to him, quietly says "Both of them are far more powerful than you".
The young elven noble who is a member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel.
Isn't all that surprised at that, as he isn't a particularly powerful spellcaster.
Knowing that many other nobleborn elves are far more powerful than him when it comes to magic.
The elven master archer frowns in earnest, when the ground pixie quietly tells him "They're probably twice as powerful than they actually are" followed by "I've heard of twins who are spellcasters in the past, and they work in unison with ease, doubling their powers".
"How powerful would that make these two?" asks the elven princeling from Laerel.
"As powerful as Beldane" replies Narladene, who follows that with "Probably more so".
Helbe the elven thief winces when he hears that, for Beldane the cleric is an extremely powerful spellcaster.
The most powerful practitioner of magic in the group by far. True, he's no where near as powerful as Mira Reinholt before the mage lost the vast majority of his powers.
When he went offworld a number of years ago through a rift/void spell he accidentally cast.
All the same, the cleric in the church of Glaine is still an extremely powerful spellcaster.
"That's not good" murmurs the elven master assassin, who follows that with "Especially since i can't sense them".
The ground pixie nods her head in agreement, then she quietly asks the young elven noble from Laerel "You want me to tell Farque about it?".
Prince Helbenthril Raendril thinks about it for a few moments, then replies with "You probably should".
The elven masterthief continues with "I might have trouble dealing with them" he briefly pauses before he adds in a slightly dry tone of voice "He won't".
After quickly looking back at the others following him. Lord Farque leads the way to where he feels the spy Tanith, the scout Maera and Beldane the cleric have stopped just ahead.
The undead warlord takes around about way to get to them, to avoid anyone else in the vicinity.
He finds them in the shell of one of the ancient buildings, here about two and half miles to the north of the neutral zone in the giant hole in the ground.
Within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, or as it's more commonly called, the City of Ruins.
"What is it?" asks the lord and ruler of the lands Farque when they meet up with the three who have been out infront.
"There's a tunnel entrance in the corner of there" quietly says Dalinvardèl Tanith the elven thief, who follows that with "We saw a couple of mercs a little earlier go down it".
The large, heavily armoured deathlord, who can sense everything living or dead, as well as all magic.
Has sensed all manner of people in underground tunnels that riddle this part of the City of Ruins.
The undead being who has the elven name of Des'tier is just about to ask Mira Reinholt to create one of his clear mageglobes, that is an equivalent of a viewing spell, and send it down the nearby tunnel.
When he senses Narladene the ground pixie heading quickly this way from the west.
"A moment" says the lord of the death realm who steps through what's left of a wall, and out the side of the ancient building.
Draugadrottin doesn't have to wait long, for the naturally magical creature who is invisible to the others, is soon hovering beside his full helmed head.
"What?" quietly asks the undead warlord in the ground pixie language.
The tiny winged creature informs the large, heavily armoured deathlord about the elven twins in Maygam's mercenary company.
The lord and ruler senses away to the northwest, and quickly locates the elven nobles in question.
Des'tier lifts an eyebrow as he carefully senses them, then he quietly says "Those two aren't quite right".
"What do you mean?" quietly asks the ground pixie who is one of the hidden members of the group.
The other being the massive sword strapped to the back of the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
"Sense them again" says the undead warlord who then adds "Carefully" followed by "Those amulets or whatever they're wearing aren't the only things that are linked".
Narladene does what lord Farque says, and her eyebrows lift up in surprise when she senses what he's discovered, which she didn't notice before.
"How's that possible?" asks the tiny winged creature from the Sunreach Mountains.
"Who the fuck knows" says Des'tier, who after looking up at the sky, and notices it's getting late in the afternoon, continues on with "Go and check that lot out".
The lord of the death realm then says "Be careful, they might be able to do things other spellcasters can't" followed by "Like detect your kind".
Narladene is just about to ask him how, when the deathlord of Farque quietly tells her "The house mages in my youth used spells that detect movement to locate your kind".
Knowing that Narladene, like all pixies and sprites is immune to magic, lord Farque quietly says "They'd detect the movement you make through the air, ground or water not actually your kind".
The naturally magical creature blinks in surprise when she hears that, then she mutters "Shit". As she realises that could indeed detect her . . . . . .

The Find 40.

Autumn.

North central Southlands. The Ancient city of Dalphene. Also known as The City of Ruins.
The twin brothers Lolmildíll and Gilvanéllé look at one another. Then they look at Maygam the mercenary captain, and his second in command, Uren.
The two elven brothers from the principality of Alínlae find the two humans looking at them.
Then the four of them look back up into the clear, and sunny afternoon sky above the City of Ruins.
"Huh?" is all Maygam the mercenary captain says as they watch the warship of Jorkamin's plummeting out of the sky.
The vessel which is burning up, almost passes directly over them as it goes basically southwards as it heads towards the ground.
They watch in silence as bits of burning debris falls off the warship as it rapidly drops out of the sky.
After a fair chunk of it's magical keel towards the aft, and it's hull to either side of it is blown apart.
They continue to watch it, as it drops behind one of the nearby ancient towers, and some of the ruins in this part of the pit.
They don't see the burning wreckage smash into the ground, but they definitely hear it.
Then they see bits of burning debris and smoke billowing up into the air from where the warship belonging to Jorkamin the mercenary captain hit the ground.
After a few more moments of silence as they watch the smoke in the distance to the south of them rise up into the air.
Maygam the mercenary captain speaks up again, and says "Well that was certainly unexpected".
The mercenary leader then looks at the elven twins and asks the two of them "Either one of you two?".
Both twins shake their heads no, then Lolmildíll the elven magic user says "Wasn't us".
His twin brother nods his head in agreement, then Gilvanéllé the elven magic user says "Pretty sure a mage did that".
The other brother Lolmildíll, or Lolm as he's more commonly called by the others in the company, slightly nods in agreement with his fellow spellcaster.
"A mage?" says Maygam the mercenary captain with a frown upon his face.
As he's heard of no mage up here to the north of the neutral zone. And only knows of one mage in all of the pit.
A young one with a small group of treasure seekers and adventurers down towards the southern end of that pit, where they're trying to find their fortune.
"A mage" says Gilvanéllé or Gil as he's more commonly called by the others in the company, as they continue to watch the smoke in the distance billowing up into the sky.
"That was definitely a mageglobe i spotted just before that explosion rocked the ship" adds the more angry, and severe looking of the elven twins, who are part of one of the noble families in the principality of Alínlae.
His twin brother Lolmildíll nods in agreement with him, as he too caught a glimpse of the dark red mageglobe before the warship was rocked by the explosion, that sent it tumbling down towards the ground, here in the pit, within which is the ancient city of Dalphene.
"Hmmm i can't disagree with you, since you two know what you're talking about" says the captain of the company, who then quietly adds "But i know of no mage up here in this part of the pit, do you?".
The twins shake their head no, then Lolmildíll in his effete sounding voice says "And that's the problem".
His brother Gilvanéllé, or Gilvan as he tends to call him, nods his head in agreement, then says "I can just sense that young mage near the southern end of the pit".
"Same here" says Lolm as more often than not he's called by the others in the company.
"And he had nothing to do with that" adds Lolmildíll who points towards the rising smoke in the air.
Gil nods, then says "Which is more than a little odd, what with mages being who they are" followed by "If there was one up here, north of the neutral zone, every spellcaster for miles around should be able to sense them".
The angry looking elf with the almost white coloured hair then explains in a dry tone to the mercenary captain and his second in command "Mages aren't exactly known for being the shy and retiring types".
The twin brothers, nobles from the elven principality of Alínlae. Like all spellcasters, even ones as deranged as the two of them, are more than a little cautious around mages.
For though they are quite powerful magic users. They'd still only comparable to a mage with an average amount of power.
There's also the fact that pretty much all mages, tend to blow things up in large explosions, not bothered who or what could be in the vicinity.
Subtlety isn't exactly the trait of the average mage. Who are predictably unpredictable, when it comes to spell casting.
See something, blow it up. Is pretty much the mantra of all mages when it comes to their temperament in dealing with spells.
So that there's one up here north of the neutral zone in the pit, is more than a little bit surprising.
It's bit of a shock really. Especially considering amongst all spellcasters, of any race.
The human mage is the one practitioner of magic that couldn't care less than other spellcasters are able to sense them.
They tend to revel in how powerful they are, and that others know it, and sense it.
So that if one is here, amongst the battle between a number of the mercenary companies in the City of Ruins, who is doing everything to keep themselves hidden.
Is more than a little disconcerting to the elven twins, who are originally from the principality of Alínlae.
"Well, whoever it is, they did us all a favour destroying Jorkamin's ship" says the mercenary leader Maygam.
The captain of one of the mid sized mercenary companies, living and operating down here in the giant hole in the ground, then adds with a slight grin upon his face "That is definitely going to piss off Jorkamin".
"He'll retaliate, that's his way" says Uren the mercenary as they continue to watch the smoke rising up into the air a few hundred yards to the south of them.
"First losing that wyvern, now his warship" adds the second in command of the company, who continues on with "He's going to be royally pissed off".
"Good" mutters Maygam, who is more than a little annoyed with Jorkamin, and his interference in the battle between Hamblett and Jarnok's companies.
Maygam, who had plans to take over one of the nearby dig sites, that was on the edge of where the battle between Hamblett's and Jarnok's companies was taking place.
Until Jorkamin and his company entered the fray yesterday afternoon.
Wrecking Maygam's plans, and separating a fair chunk of his company he had brought up here, to the north of the neutral zone.
"That means he'll be angry" says the mercenary captain, who continues with "And when Jorkamin is angry, he makes mistakes".
Maygam momentarily pauses, before he says "Even Darmos has a difficult time keeping him under control when he's angry".
If there's another mercenary captain that Maygam knows almost as well as his former comrade Hamblett.
It's the mercenary leader Jorkamin, who over the years Maygam has had a number of dealings with.
Sometimes to one of the other mercenary captain's benefit. And in some cases, mutual benefit.
Though on more than one occasion, they're been at odds with one another.
With Maygam, because of the smaller size of his company. Barely surviving with his company after a confrontation with Jorkamin and his company.
The two of them when they've had dealings for financial gain. The deals have been fraught with danger.
Maygam can't actually believed he's survived some of them. And has only done so because of the quick thinking of Uren.
And the twins Lolmildíll and Gilvanéllé, with the total disregard for their own safety at times when they've got Maygam out of trouble.
"More than likely he'll do something stupid cap" says Uren as she nods in agreement with the mercenary leader, in reference to Jorkamin being angry at the destruction of his warship.
"Keep an eye out for Darmos" quietly says Maygam to the elven twins, the mercenary captain then adds "Jorkamin might get that pet wizard of his to do something stupid".
"We will" says Gilvanéllé in his angry sounding voice as they continue to watch the smoke away to the south, as the wreckage of the airship continues to burn.
Switching to the noble elven language, which Maygam, who can speak normal elven, can't speak or understand.
Gilvan quietly says to his twin brother "Lolm keep an eye out for that mage".
"I will" replies the slightly slimmer of the two elven magic users, who after a brief pause adds "It is the oddest thing, a mage hiding".
"I know" says Gilvanéllé in murmured agreement with his twin brother, he continues on with "If this was an ordinary mage, we'd be able to sense him with ease". Lolmildíll the mercenary grunts in agreement with his twin brother.
"And be able to keep clear of him" dryly says Lolm, who like his brother Gilvan, is of the opinion it's best to keep your distance from a mage.
As they're unpredictable in their predictableness. Best to let a mage blow themselves out, so to speak. Than be anywhere around them during a battle.
Switching back to the common language, Gilvanéllé the elven magic user then says "There's Jarnok and his lot too" he continues with "I briefly sensed those two wizards of his a little while ago".
"Where?" asks Maygam the mercenary captain as the smoke from the burning wreckage to the south of them continues to rise up in the afternoon sky.
"Further west" says the more demented of the elven twins from the principality of Alínlae.
"Keep an eye out on that lot too" says the mercenary leader, who then adds "They'll be up to no good as well".
Maygam then looks away from where Jorkamin's airship has crashed, and looks around in the area, then says "In the meantime, let's try and find the rest of the company who are still lost".
Meanwhile, at the very northern end of the giant hole in the ground, within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, or as it's more commonly called, the City of Ruins.
Zam the mercenary turns, and leans back down and stretches out a hand, and helps Melmear the mercenary up the dirt incline, and out of the pit.
The two of them look around as the mercenaries Farnill and Almard continue up the dirt incline, to get out of the pit.
"What is it?" asks Zam the mercenary, as Hilmik the mercenary who was the first one up here, grunts and points away to the south.
"That warship of Jorkamin's" says Hilmik the dwarven warrior, followed by "It crashed" he then adds "See that smoke there".
As first Farnill, then Almard make it up the dirt incline, and out of the pit. Zam sees the smoke in the distance to the south, about three and half to four miles away.
The others see it, when they look that way and Hilmik points it out to them.
"First that wyvern of his taking off" says Almard the mercenary, as they saw one of Jorkamin's wyverns, riderless, heading north a little earlier this afternoon.
"And now his warship going down" adds the mercenary who is the defacto leader of the small group from Maygam's company.
"Seems the battle isn't going his way now" continues Almard, who is the helper of Uren, the second in command of the company.
The others nod in agreement as they look away to the south across the pit, to where black smoke is rising up into the afternoon sky.
Then the young mercenary Zam looks around, and asks "Which way?" pointing to the left, then right he adds "Where basically about halfway i guess".
They look at Almard, who looks first to the east, then the west. And though this is the narrowest part of the entire City of Ruins.
They find themselves about a mile and a bit from both the eastern, and western edge of the pit, now that they're out of the ancient city of Dalphene.
Almard shrugs, then the mercenary originally from the unruled lands near the city-state of Kuradum picks a direction at random, then says "West".
The group starts heading that way as it gets later in the afternoon, on what's been a cold autumn day here in the northern central region of the Southlands, where the City of Ruins is located . . . . . .