The Find 69.

Autumn.

The giant hole in the ground aka the ancient city of Dalphene aka The City of Ruins.
Later in the afternoon and Helbe the elven thief makes his way from the neutral zone in the City of Ruins.
And he heads south across the giant hole in the ground as it nears dusk, on what's been a cool autumn day, down here in the ancient city of Dalphene.
The elven magic user who as per usual, is blurred and shielded. Shifts southwards as he has a destination in mind.
"So where exactly are we going?" asks Narladene the ground pixie after the young elven noble shifts once more.
The naturally magical creature who is originally from the Sunreach Mountains, suspects where they're going.
So she isn't surprised, when Helbe the elven thief says to her "That village Maygam and his crew have under their control".
The tiny winged creature who is attached to the elven masterthief, and at the moment is standing on his left shoulder, nods her head when he tells her "For all we know, they might of made their way back there".
The two of them look away to their left at the same time. And they watch a bunch of wild goblins come out of the holes in the pit wall.
With it nearing dusk, the thirty or so goblins will no doubt be scavenging at night.
Trying to find anything useful they can take back to their underground caves.
The young elven noble who is from the island principality of Laerel. Infact he's a member of the royal family that rules that principality.
Quietly says to the naturally magical creature standing on his left shoulder "No doubt it'll be another typical night in the City of Ruins".
"No doubt" says Narladene as the two of them converse in the elven language.
Then the ground pixie crouches and holds onto the left shoulder of the highly talented elven spellcaster as she senses what he's about to do.
Helbe the elven thief then shifts away, continuing southwards down here in the giant hole in the ground.
Within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, or as it's known wide and far, the City of Ruins.
The elven masterthief and the ground pixie arrive in the village at nightfall.
It's the northern most village or town, down here in the southern half of the giant hole in the ground. Not all that far from the eastern wall of the pit.
A village that's under the control of Maygam's mercenary company. Where everyone here either is in that particular company, or works for them in some kind of capacity.
Along with all of their families, if they happen to have any.
"We'll have to check all the houses too" quietly murmurs Helbe the elven thief to Narladene the ground pixie.
"I know they said they weren't down here" adds the member of lord Farque's personal council.
"But they might of turned up since they told us that, this morning" continues the grandson of the ruling prince of Laerel.
The naturally magical creature who is originally from the Sunreach Mountains, nods her head in agreement with that.
Then Narladene gestures to the left, and quietly says "I'll start that way".
The blurred and shielded elven magic user nods his hooded head to the right, then says "I'll start there".
The elven princeling continues with "Meet me in the center of the village" followed by "Then we'll do the southern half if we don't find them in this half of the village".
The tiny winged creature nods, then she launches from the left shoulder of the young elven noble she's attached to.
And heads straight to the back wall of a house. Which the naturally magical creature passes through.
While the highly talented elven practitioner of magic user walks towards another house.
Which he enters through a slightly ajar back door after he takes a peek through an open window.
On what's a cool early evening down here in the giant hole in the ground. Within which lies the ancient city of Dalphene, known more commonly as The City of Ruins.
A little bit later in the evening, after going through all the houses, dwellings and other buildings in the northern half of the village.
Helbe the elven thief and Narladene the ground pixie meet up in the center of the village. In a small square, where a well is located.
"Nothing" quietly says Narladene when she lands upon the left shoulder of the blurred and shielded elven magic user.
"Same" says prince Helbenthril Raendril as stands beside the well and looks around.
As the two of them watch someone roll a barrel from the backdoor of a tavern on the southern half of the square.
The tiny winged creature says to the elven masterthief "Swap sides?".
The highly talented elven spellcaster shrugs his shoulders, then says "Might as well".
The member of the personal council to the lord and ruler of the land Farque continues with "Meet you on the south side of the village".
The ground pixie nods, then with a flutter of her gossamer wings, Narladene is airborne. And heads to the nearby tavern to the right in the southern half of the village.
While the blurred and shielded elven magic user walks to the first building away to the left.
The tiny winged creature passes through a wall and enters the tavern. It's rather gloomy inside, with just the fireplace and candle lit lamps here and there, offering any illumination.
The ground pixie is not bothered about that, as she can see clearly no matter what the quality of the lighting is.
And as she wings her way around here inside the tavern, the naturally magical creature takes a good look at everyone at the tables, and standing at the bar.
Narladene looks away to the left, to a table in a corner. Where a group of five are seated, eating and drinking, and quietly chatting.
They're mercenaries, like most of the patrons of the tavern. Mercenaries in captain Maygam's company.
Narladene pauses in mid air, she takes a careful look as she hovers there for a few moments.
Then she wings her way to the left, and heads straight into the wall, and passes through it, and out of the tavern.
Helbe the elven thief who has just watched a family finish their meal, and start to clean up.
Is about to shift outside, as he looks out an unshuttered window, when Narladene suddenly appears upon his right shoulder.
"Found 'em" quietly says the ground pixie into the right ear of the elven masterthief.
"Where?" asks the young elven noble who hails from the island principality of Laerel.
"In the tavern across the lane to the right" is the reply of the tiny winged creature who is from the Sunreach Mountains.
Councilor Raendril nods, then he shifts outside through the open window, walks to the right and around that side of the house and into the lane, which he crosses to the tavern.
The blurred and shielded elven magic user enters the tavern through the front door when someone enters it infront of him.
"Table in the back left corner" whispers Narladene as she stands upon the right shoulder of the elven princeling she's attached to.
Without anyone in the tavern knowing he's here. Helbe the elven thief makes his way to the back of the common room in the tavern.
He looks at those sitting around the table, three men. One young, two a little older. A young woman, and a dwarf, a fairly young one by the looks of things.
After casting a cone of silence around himself, just incase the dwarven warrior hears him.
Helbe the elven thief quietly says to Narladene "That's them alright" he then adds "Go and tell lord Farque we've found them" followed by "I'll stay here".
"Right" quietly says the naturally magical creature, who drops off the right shoulder of the elven princeling, and she dives down into the floor, and through it, then into the ground beneath.
Narladene now in her natural element, heads northwards, flying far faster than she could ever do in the air.
It won't take all that long for the ground pixie to travel the five miles or so, to where the rest of the group are, just to the north of the neutral zone.
Down here in the giant hole in the ground, in which is the ancient city of Dalphene, also known as the City of Ruins.
"Never did care much for them" says Mira Reinholt the mage, who follows that with "Always seemed redundant to me".
The once powerful mage nods at what's on Beldane the cleric's belt, and he says "Even though yours is magical, I'd take a mace over a flail any day".
The spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, then nods his hooded head to beyond the otherside of the fire, and he quietly adds "Even he uses a mace".
Beldane the cleric spots lord Farque about twenty yards away, just outside the ruins of a building they're in this evening.
"I'd stick to your mace" says the mage who is in exile from his homeland, the city-state of Vexil.
"I agree" says Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit, who is sitting nearby.
"Even that idiot Dorc hardly uses his flails, and when he does, he hits himself about half the damn time, than he does the enemy" says the once powerful mage.
"I'll stick to the mace then" says Beldane the cleric as members of the group quietly chat as they sit around the fire in the shell of a building they've decided to spend the night in.
Mira Reinholt is just about to change the subject, when he spots lord Farque turn and look away to the southeast.
Then the large, heavily armoured deathlord steps out of view, and the Vexilian mage in exile mentions this to Jarjin Littlefoot and Beldane the cleric.
Nearby, Tamric Drubine the field commander and Saanea the witch. Along with Lisell Maera the scout and Tovis the war engineer.
They all look out the gap in the wall, to see what's happening. But they only see sir Percavelle Lé Dic and Dorc da Orc. Both of whom are sitting outside on this cool evening. Down here in the City of Ruins.
The next moment, the large, heavily armoured deathlord steps back into view, and he makes his way inside of the ruins.
"We've found them" states lord Farque, who follows that with "Get your stuff, we're going".
As they gather their gear, the undead warlord says to the cleric who hails from the kingdom of Sarcrin "Be ready to cast a gateway".
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque then tells Beldane where he wants the gateway to go to.
Then the lord of the death realm tells his two councilors with him at the moment, to meet him outside, while the rest of the group wait here.
Mira Reinholt and Jarjin Littlefoot make their way outside, and they follow lord Farque, who leads them away.
Just fifty or so yards away to the west, to what looks like a mound of rubble.
There in the darkness, the undead warlord who is also known by the name of Draugadrottin to the people of his lands, says in the common language "Go and get your captain" followed by "I want a word with him".
The mercenary on guard duty nods, then he hurries back down into the tunnel behind.
A tunnel in a system of them, in this part of the giant hole in the ground, in which is the ancient city of Dalphene, or as it's more commonly called, the City of Ruins.
"Where are we going?" quietly asks the mage Reinholt as they wait.
"That village in the south of the pit this lot have under their control" is the reply from the lord of the death realm in the elven language.
"The royal pain in the ass has found them there" adds the large, heavily armoured deathlord.
Both the human spellcaster and the halfling former air sailor, nod when they hear that. Then they fall silent as they wait.
They don't have to wait long, for Maygam the mercenary captain and a number of others come up out of the tunnel a short time later.
"We've found the one we're looking for" states the lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who follows that with "At that village of yours at the southern end of the pit".
After nodding when he hears that, Maygam the mercenary captain says "You'll be off to get them then?".
"We will" says the undead warlord, who continues with "And you'll come along with us".
Before the mercenary captain can protest, the lord of the death realm tells him "We can either take them by force, killing anyone in your village who gets in our fucking way".
He briefly pauses before adding "Or you can come along, and talk them into joining us".
Maygam the mercenary captain sourly smiles, then he says "I guess I'll come along then".
Maygam turns to his second in command, and tells her "Uren, you're in charge until i get back" followed by "The rest of you with".
"Only one other" says lord Farque as he interrupts the mercenary captain, who sourly smiles again, before saying "Lolm with me".
With Maygam and Lolmildíll the elven magic user, they walk back to where the rest of the group are waiting outside the nearby ruins.
As they do, the undead warlord tells the mercenary captain walking beside him "That Jorkamin is planning to go back on your deal later".
"Figures" says Maygam in disgust, who then grunts when the large, heavily armoured deathlord tells him "You've got about five days or so to plan before he starts attacking you again". 
"Thanks" says the mercenary captain as they approach the shell of the ancient building where the others are waiting.
Then Maygam asks the large figure walking beside him, who he doesn't know is an undead being "How are we getting there?".
"Portal" is the reply from lord Farque, who then adds "To be specific, a cleric's gateway" . . . . . .

The Find 68.

Autumn.

The Southlands. The ancient city of Dalphene. The City of Ruins.
They watch as the two mercenary captains head back to their respective sides of the crater.
Within which lies the ruins of the ancient tower, and the building that was beside it, stood until they were destroyed last night.
Once the mercenary captain Maygam makes his way back to his way to those he brought along with him.
He has a quiet word with the captive wizard, Darmos. Then waves him away.
The wizard walks away, going around the crater, to join those of his own mercenary company, led by their captain, Jorkamin.
They then watch as those from the two different companies, head off. Going back the way they've come from.
On this cool autumn afternoon, down here in the giant hole in the ground. Within which lies the ancient city of Dalphene. Or as it's more commonly known as, the City of Ruins.
"I take it they got what they wanted" says lord Farque when Helbe the elven thief appears beside him on the mound of rubble.
Where the undead warlord along with Tamric Drubine the field commander, have been watching the meeting between those from the two rival mercenary companies.
"They did" replies Helbe the elven thief who continues with "Jorkamin and his lot will stop going into the areas in the west of the pit, where Maygam and his company tend to operate".
"Will he stick to that agreement?" asks the large, heavily armoured deathlord.
"For the immediate future he will" says the elven magic user who hails from the island principality of Laerel.
"He'll renege on the deal once he's seen to the other companies he's fighting with up in this part of the pit" adds the elven masterthief.
"Just as long as we find the one we're after before then, i don't give a fuck what they do" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque.
Who then takes a look around, then quietly tells the elven practitioner of magic who is a member of his personal council "Continue the search".
The undead being, who is also known by the name of Draugadrottin to the people of his lands, then adds "Keep in contact with the others".
Referring to the other spellcasters in the group. Mira Reinholt the mage, Beldane the cleric and Saanea the witch.
"Will do" says the elven masterthief who is member of the royal family that rules the island principality of Laerel.
The highly talented elven magic user disappears, and lord Farque says to field commander Drubine "Come on, let's see what else they can tell us". With a nod of his full helmed head at Maygam the mercenary captain, and those of his company.
Who are heading back westwards, the way they came from. After Maygam negotiated with his fellow mercenary captain Jorkamin. Which led to the release of the wizard Darmos.
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque, who has the elven name of Des'tier. Which translates to The Destroyer.
Looks over at the mound of rubble that Mira Reinholt the mage, Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit and Beldane the cleric are on.
Where he sees the powerful cleric handing the halfling Jarjin a couple of gold coins. While the mage Reinholt looks on with a sour look upon his face.
The lord of the death realm then looks down behind the rubble, to where the rest of the group are waiting, and he tells them all "We're going".
"Think he'll keep his word?" quietly asks Uren the mercenary as they make their way westwards down here in the giant hole in the ground.
"He will" is the reply of Maygam the mercenary captain, who follows that with "At least for the next little while he will".
The mercenary captain briefly pauses as they go down into one of the ancient culverts in this part of the ancient city of Dalphene.
And as they cross it, he continues with "In a weeks time, probably not" followed by "No doubt he'll attack us once again, especially if he's able to deal with some of the other companies, in particular Jarnok's".
Uren, who is the second in command of the company, nods her head in agreement with that as they climb up the otherside of the ancient, dusty culvert, and out of it.
"What did you do to threaten him?" quietly asks the second in command of the company.
"Apart from killing Darmos?" says the mercenary captain, his second nods to that.
"I told him I'd unleash the twins amongst his company" says Maygam, which illicits chuckles from the elven twins Gilvanéllé and Lolmildíll who are following the mercenary captain and his second in command.
"He agreed pretty quickly then" says the mercenary captain.
"I can't imagine why?" dryly says Uren the mercenary, who looks back at the elven twins who are following the two of them. And she finds Gilvanéllé smirking, and Lolmildíll grinning.
The second in command rolls her eyes, then looks ahead again as they pass through the ruins of a building.
Uren is just about to say something else to Maygam, when suddenly behind them Gilvanéllé the elven magic user says "Someone just casted" followed by "Up ahead".
Then his twin brother Lolmildíll the elven magic user quietly adds "The cleric in that group".
"Shit" mutters Maygam the mercenary captain, who is about to ask the elven twins from the principality of Alínlae, what was cast.
When he spots who is up ahead as they step out from the ruined building, as they continue westwards, down here in the giant hole in the ground.
Which was once the ancient city of Dalphene, and is known now as the City of Ruins.
Up ahead stands the group who captured Darmos the wizard, and decimated both Jorkamin and Jarnok's companies last night.
Maygam has a quiet word with those infront, and they drop back to allow the mercenary captain and his second in command to lead the way.
Maygam sees just like it was at dawn, the relatively small group are either standing there, or sitting on some rubble.
As the mercenary captain and those with them approaches where they're waiting.
Maygam heads for the large figure in the dark blue/black armour. Standing with the young man in the half plate armour on one side. And an ork standing on the otherside.
The mercenary captain who saw an ork a number of years ago when he was a teenager.
Still can't believe there's an ork down here in the City of Ruins at the moment. As they're pretty much one of the rarest of races of people to be found in the world.
Especially an ork who is nonchalantly holding a magetube, pointing it more or less in this direction.
Be careful here Maygam, the mercenary captain thinks to himself, who then murmurs to the others "Careful here" followed by "Don't do anything unless i say so".
They watch as the mercenaries walk towards them, with Maygam and his second in command finally coming to a stop infront of lord Farque and Tamric Drubine the field commander.
It's the young noble from the feudal kingdom of Sarcrin who does the talking.
"Greetings again" says Tamric Drubine the field commander in response to Maygam the mercenary captain saying greetings to them.
"I see things went well" says the young man who is a senior officer in the armies of Farque.
"They did" says the mercenary company, who looks more than a little nervous.
As does his second in command Uren, and the other mercenaries standing back behind them.
After glancing to his left, lord Farque mutters something in the ork language.
Dorc da Orc who has been pointing the magetube he's carrying, at the mercenaries. And pretending to shoot it off at them.
Grunts in disappointment, then with utter reluctance, he hands the more than one thousand pound magical weapon to the undead warlord.
Who with ease takes it off him with one hand, then balances the nine foot long weapon upon his left shoulder as Tamric Drubine, or Tam as the rest of the group more commonly call him, continues speaking with the mercenary captain.
Feeling a bit more at ease, now that the large ork no longer has the magetube.
Which he was pointing at them, and miming shooting it at them, with a demented looking grin upon his broad, green, brutish looking face.
Maygam the mercenary captain who can't but glance at the large human in the dark plate armour, who with ease has the magetube balanced on his armoured left shoulder as if it doesn't weigh a thing.
Nods his head, and says "Of course" followed by "We'll continue the search for them" in response to what the young man in the steel, half plate armour just said to him.
The mercenary captain continues with "Hopefully those i sent off this morning will find where they are".
"Good" says field commander Drubine, who after a sideways glance at lord Farque standing beside him.
And the lord of the death realm slightly nodding his full helmed head in reply to that glance.
The son of a previous Knight of castle Drubine, which can be found in the north of his homeland, the kingdom of Sarcrin.
Who is now a field commander in the armies of Farque tells the mercenary captain what they want done.
As they continue the search for the person that the group have traveled here to the City of Ruins to find . . . . . .

The Find 67.

Autumn.

The giant hole in the ground. The ancient city of Dalphene. The City of Ruins.
They decide on a time that both parties agree upon. After midday, in the middle of the afternoon.
The location is near the old ruined tower that was destroyed last night.
Jorkamin the mercenary captain isn't too pleased about it. After all, he nearly died there.
Nevertheless, he agrees on the location that one of his rivals suggested it should take place.
The captain of the largest and most influential mercenary company working and living down here in the City of Ruins.
Waits in a nearby shell of a building with a number of his company as they wait for those they're to meet, to arrive.
Meanwhile, further to the west, down here in the giant hole in the ground. Those from the other mercenary company, that being Maygam's company. Are making their way to the location of the meeting.
Darmos the wizard finds himself walking between the elven twins. The spellcasters Gilvanéllé and Lolmildíll.
Each brother from the elven principality of Alínlae, have the human spellcaster by an arm.
As they follow the mercenary captain Maygam, his second Uren and a number of others from the company.
Eastwards, to the meeting point. A ruined tower, or what's left of it. About a mile and half to the north of the neutral zone, down here in the ancient city of Dalphene, or what it's more commonly called, the City of Ruins.
Nearby, on a pile of rubble in a number of such piles, less than a hundred yards to the north of the ruined tower where the meeting is to take place.
Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit quietly says "There they are" followed by "Just over there" as be points away to the southwest.
"I see them" says Mira Reinholt the mage a few moments later after he spots who the halfling sitting beside him has pointed out.
"At least that fog is finally gone" says the human spellcaster who is originally from the city-state of Vexil.
"Took most of the bloody day" adds the once powerful mage in a mutter.
Next to him, the hobbit. Who is not what he appears to be. Nods in agreement with the Vexilian mage in exile.
The two of them turn as Beldane the cleric scrambles up the back of the pile of rubble and joins them.
"Nothing there" quietly says Beldane the cleric once he's sitting down beside the mage and the halfling who is a former air sailor.
"Where's he now?" asks the mage who is also a highly skilled swordmaster.
"Lord Farque says he's there" is the reply of the powerful cleric who hails from the kingdom of Nastell.
Mira Reinholt and Jarjin Littlefoot, both members of the personal council to lord Farque.
Look to the ruined tower where the meeting will take place. Then over to the pile of rubble about a dozen yards directly to their left.
There lord Farque sits with Tamric Drubine the field commander. While behind that pile of rubble sits Dorc da Orc.
Who is gnawing on some kind of bone that looks suspiciously like a human leg bone.
The undead warlord glances their way and slightly nods his full helmed head.
Then goes back to looking at the ruined tower less than a hundred yards to the south of their position.
"His highness will continue the search after this lot meet up" quietly says Beldane, a cleric who is a member of the church of Glaine.
A god predominantly worshiped in the north of his homeland, Nastell.
"Hopefully that lot can help us find the one we're looking for" quietly says Jarjin Littlefoot, with a nod of his head in the direction of those approaching the fallen tower from the southwest.
The hobbit, who is really a hordes outrider from the southern tundra by the name of Zubutai Timaginson.
Who just happens to find himself inhabiting the body of the halfling, who is from the otherside of the continent. The Sultanate of Dreese to be exact.
Then quietly adds in a dry tone of voice "That's if they don't get themselves killed in this exchange".
"That's why the royal thief is there" quietly says the mage Reinholt with a nod of his hooded head in the direction of the ruined tower that was destroyed last night.
"His lordship told his highness to only keep the mercenary captain Maygam and his second Uren alive if things kick off" quietly says the churchman from the kingdom of Nastell.
"The rest can fend for themselves if it gets out of hand" adds the powerful cleric.
"Makes sense i guess" says the swordmaster Reinholt after a few moments of silence.
"They're the only ones who really count in finding the one we're after" adds the spellcaster who was once the most powerful mage of his generation.
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.
The Vexilian mage in exile, then looks down at his fellow council member and quietly asks the halfling "Where's that other lot?".
"There i think" is the reply of Jarjin aka Zubutai the barbarian hordesman, followed by "Saw movement there a little while ago".
Mira Reinholt nods his hooded head as he sees the shell of a building in the distance to the southeast.
"They'll make an appearance soon enough i guess" says the highly skilled swordmaster who was sent into exile from his homeland, for an act of treason during a war.
"Probably when that Maygam and his lot come into view of them" adds the Vexilian mage in exile.
Next to him, both Jarjin Littlefoot and Beldane the cleric nod in agreement with the once powerful mage.
"There they are" quietly says one of the lookouts, followed by "From where they said they'd approach from".
"They got Darmos?" asks Jorkamin the mercenary captain as he peers out of one of the holes in the wall on the north side of the shell of the building they're in.
"They do captain" is the reply of the lookout away to the left.
Jorkamin looks at Jenin the sorceress standing beside him, and she slightly nods in reply to his inquiring look.
"Right then" quietly says the mercenary captain, who then tells the others who are waiting with him "Let's go and see what they have to say then".
As they exit the shell of a building, Jorkamin the mercenary captain would like nothing better than to wipe out one of his rivals for dominance down here in the City of Ruins.
But now is not the time for that. Now is the time to get Darmos the wizard back, safe and sound.
"There they are" quietly says Lolmildíll the elven magic user from behind Maygam the mercenary captain, and Uren the mercenary, the second in command of the company.
"Approaching from the southeast of that destroyed tower" adds the practitioner of magic who hails from the elven principality of Alínlae.
"I see them" quietly says Maygam the mercenary captain when he spots the group approaching the ruined tower from the opposite direction he and those with him, are approaching it from.
"You two keep an eye on things" says Maygam as he looks back at the elven twins.
"And on him too" adds the mercenary captain with a nod of his head at the wizard between the elven magic users.
"You not going to cause any trouble are you Darmos?" asks Maygam the mercenary captain to the spellcaster who was handed over to them first thing this morning.
"No, I'm not" is the reply of Darmos the wizard, who follows on from that with "I know to behave".
"You better" Maygam mutters to himself as he looks ahead again.
The mercenary captain who knows that he's about to tread on dangerous ground in a little while.
Knows that he can earn a reprieve for himself, and his company. With what he's about to do.
Though he's a little uncertain how one of his rivals, that being Jorkamin. Is going to react with the terms he's about to demand for the return of Darmos the wizard.
"Away to the north captain" quietly says Gilvanéllé the elven magic user from behind the mercenary captain.
Who looks that way, and slightly grimaces when he spots who it is that's away to the north. Less than a hundred yards from the destroyed tower where the meeting is about to take place.
"They don't exactly care do they?" dryly says Maygam the mercenary captain to his second in command walking beside him.
"No captain, they don't" says Uren the mercenary, who spots the figures sitting on the mounds of rubble away to the north.
"It's not as though they've got anything to worry about" adds the second in command of the company.
The mercenary captain nods in agreement with his second.
While behind them, Darmos the wizard frowns as he looks away to the north and sees who the others have spotted.
Not knowing that they're the ones who captured him last night. And destroyed the rift that he had cast.
A rift that caused two massive explosions, one of which destroyed the ancient tower they're heading towards.
"Bet that someone will try something or not?" asks Jarjin Littlefoot the hobbit as they continue to watch the two groups approach the ruined tower.
"How much?" asks Mira Reinholt the mage, followed by "Gold coin?".
The halfling, who hails from the far east coast of the continent nods, then says "A gold they will".
"A gold they won't then" says the once powerful mage, who then adds "Here Beldane, hold them".
As he and his fellow councilor, Jarjin aka Zubutai Timaginson, hand a gold piece each to the cleric sitting with them on top of the pile of rubble.
"Easy make for me then" says the mage Reinholt, who continues with "Considering his royal thiefness is there amongst them, keeping an eye on them, making sure they don't all try to kill one another".
"He's there to keep that Maygam and his second out of harm's way" counters the former air sailor who flew in the fleet of the Sultan of Dreese.
"The rest can do whatever the hell they like" adds Jarjin aka Zubutai the son of Timagin.
"Shit" mutters the spellcaster who is also a highly skilled swordmaster, who follows that with "I'd forgotten about that". As they continue to watch the two groups approach the ruined tower.
Jorkamin the mercenary captain tells his men in front of him to come to a stop when they're about thirty yards short of the ruined tower.
The captain of the largest, and most influential mercenary company down here in The City of Ruins.
Grimaces as he looks at the site where he almost died in the middle of the night.
The ruined tower, and the ancient building that stood beside it. Are in a crater, just rubble and shattered stonework.
Where dozens of Jorkamin's company will killed during the night in the explosion that was heard throughout the ancient city of Dalphene.
As he watches the other group approach from the otherside of the crater.
Jorkamin gets a better look at Darmos the wizard, who is more or less his second in command.
The mercenary captain slightly nods his head as he sees that the wizard in the red robes looks to be unharmed as he walks between the elven twins, Gilvanéllé and Lolmildíll.
Jorkamin slightly grimaces as he watches the elven magic users from the principality of Alínlae.
Whose reputation is well known throughout the City of Ruins. A reputation no one wants. But which the elven twins revel in.
"Let's see what they want then" quietly says Jorkamin the mercenary captain when he sees the other group stop on the otherside of the crater, within which lies the rubble of the destroyed tower, and the ancient building that stood next to it.
"Wait here" quietly says Jorkamin to those he brought along with him this cool autumn afternoon.
"Be ready for anything" adds the mercenary captain to the sorceress Jenin.
Who nods in reply before Jorkamin starts making his way forward by himself.
"Wait here" says Maygam the mercenary captain when he sees his fellow mercenary captain Jorkamin making his way forward into the crater.
"Let's see if he goes for it" quietly adds Maygam to his second in command Uren.
Who nods in reply before Maygam starts making his way forward into the crater, to talk to his fellow mercenary captain.
Jorkamin slightly grimaces as he makes his way over the rubble and debris.
Which he was pulled out from during the middle of the night when the ancient tower was destroyed.
When the rift next to it that Darmos had created, was destroyed in a large explosion.
He gets about halfway across the pile of rubble in the crater and comes to a stop.
And watches his rival mercenary captain, Maygam approach him.
Jorkamin knows he has a superior company, in numbers and influence, here in the giant hole in the ground, within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, or as it's more commonly called, the City of Ruins.
And though he knows Maygam's company is one of the midsized companies operating down here in the City of Ruins.
Maygam has always been a smart and successful mercenary captain, who definitely punches above his weight.
And with this meeting, Maygam has one clear advantage. And that he has captured Darmos the wizard. Who is Jorkamin's confidant, who is basically his second in command.
Maygam the mercenary captain comes to a stop upon the rubble a few yards short of his fellow mercenary captain.
He remains silent and just looks at Jorkamin the mercenary captain, who is the one to break the silence, by saying "So".
"So, indeed" is the reply of Maygam the mercenary captain a few moments later.
Jorkamin knows it's a waste of time to delay things, as he figures Maygam will demand a lot for Darmos the wizard, so he asks "What is that you want Maygam in exchange for Darmos?".
A slight smile appears upon the face of Maygam the mercenary captain, then he tells Jorkamin what he wants done if the wizard Darmos is to be set free . . . . . .

The Find 66.

Autumn.

Northern central region of the Southlands. The ancient city of Dalphene. More commonly called the City of Ruins.
They walk throughout the morning. With the light fog up here to the west of the massive hole in the ground, burning away fairly quickly.
The day turns out to be quite sunny, though it's a cool autumn day here in this part of the northern central region of the Southlands.
As they continue south, they often look away to their left to where the City of Ruins lies.
Down there the fog is more persistent, and only looks to be thinning out, than actually burning off, like up here.
As they continue throughout the morning, they don't encounter anyone.
Though they see plenty of people. Farmers and the like working in the fields to the west of the giant hole in the ground.
As well as travelers, no doubt adventurers and mercenaries like themselves.
These they see are predominantly heading north and west away from the City of Ruins.
While occasionally they do spot people heading towards the giant hole in the ground.
More specifically the towns and villages to the south of the giant hole in the ground.
The same place that the five of them are heading to after being separated from their company during the battle.
With Hilmik the dwarven warrior leading the way, they make good time.
And after briefly stopping at midday for a quick rest and a bite to eat, they continue on their way southwards. Here, 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.
As they walk, they spot a handful of airships over the giant hole in the ground.
None of them warships, just transporters and sightseeing ships from the city-state of Eweteets.
Which is fairly common most days at this time of the year.
They do spot something else. Well, Hilmik the dwarf spots it. And he has to point it out to the others.
It's another wyvern, which they all assume, correctly as it turns out. Belongs to Jorkamin the mercenary captain. Who is the only mercenary captain to have wyverns at his disposal.
This one is keeping far above the City of Ruins. Like thousands of feet above the giant hole in the ground.
Seems Jorkamin losing two of his other wyverns, has made him a lot more cautious.
As his third and final wyvern that he has here at the City of Ruins. Is keeping well away from any danger that's lurking down in the ancient city of Dalphene.
As they head southwards, they all occasionally hear an explosion or two from down in that giant hole in the ground.
No more than usual, and certainly less than there's been lately. As there's been a battle raging on in the last little while in the northern half of the City of Ruins.
As mercenary companies, both large and small, vie for control of large sections of the northern half of the ancient city of Dalphene.
As midday gives way to early afternoon. The entire group, not just Hilmik.
Can now easily see the towns and villages that sit up here, on the south side of the giant hole in the ground.
As they come down along the west side of the ancient city of Dalphene.
Almard the mercenary who is at the back of the group, continues to look back in the direction they've come from.
As Hilmik said they were being followed in the early morning, before dawn.
But so far, the experienced mercenary at the rear of the group, has yet to spot anyone following them.
"Shouldn't be to far, from what i can see" says Zam the mercenary.
Behind him, Melmear the mercenary nods her head in agreement with the young mercenary originally from the city-state of Kuradum.
While infront of Zam, Hilmik the dwarven mercenary quietly says "Aye lad".
The young dwarven warrior who hails from the northern slopes of the Colevar Mountain range, continues with "Shouldn't be too far now".
They finally reach a dirt road that comes down from the northwest. There they start encountering people, who give them a wide berth, as they do to them.
Most people traveling to and from the City of Ruins don't want any trouble.
As there's plenty of trouble to be found down in the giant hole in the ground, within which is the ancient city of Dalphene.
The dirt road they're on, curves around to the south side of the City of Ruins.
And it's not too long before the group of mercenaries who are part of Maygam's company.
Reach the first of the bustling towns that overlook the giant hole in the ground.
"Should we keep going east?" quietly asks Zam the mercenary, whjo continues with "And go down at that end?" followed by "Or should we head down here, at this end?".
They stop in a fairly quiet alley next to a trading shop, and look at one another.
"Doesn't matter too much i guess" says Farnill the mercenary, who then adds "Or does it?".
As the town down in the City of Ruins, that's more or less under the control of Maygam and his company.
Is located at the eastern end of that giant hole in the ground. And it's effectively the last safe town or refuge.
At the southern end of the pit, before no man's land begins. Where it's a free for all. And not safe for nearly six miles, until you get to the so called neutral zone.
Which is located about halfway along the length of the giant hole in the ground. More or less in the center of the City of Ruins.
"I suggest we keep heading east up here" says Almard the mercenary, who follows that with "Some of the strongholds of other merc companies are down in the pit at this end".
The experience mercenary continues on with "Even though none of us have been in the company all that long" he then adds "Don't want to run into anyone from another company who might recognise us".
For though down in the southern end of the giant hole in the ground, things are relatively stable between rival mercenary companies.
That doesn't stop things for happening, like altercations and fighting. That ends up with more than the occasional death.
While up here, things are fairly normal. Well, normal in any town or village in an unruled land.
Which is to say, not safe compared to some places. But a hell of a lot safer than anywhere down in the giant hole in the ground.
In which lies the ancient city of Dalphene, which is known far and wide as the City of Ruins.
So they decide to head east, up here to the south of the giant hole in the ground.
And this afternoon, like many at this time of the year. Things are fairly busy in the towns and villages that serve the City of Ruins.
As now in the middle of Autumn, is more or less the last busy season for what's happening down in the ancient city of Dalphene.
As things tend to wind down during the winter in the City of Ruins. With little activity to be found in no man's land.
With only the die hard treasure seekers toiling away in the giant hole in the ground during the winter months.
For an area of the northern central region of the Southlands. It gets fairly cold in the giant hole in the ground during the coldest months of the year.
Which is a bit of a surprise, as the sandy confines of the ancient city of Dalphene is fairly mild weather wise during the rest of the year.
Even in summer, where it's sweltering hot during the middle of the hottest time of the year.
It can't compare to how bitterly cold it can get during the middle of winter down in the City of Ruins.
They pass through the towns and villages here to the south of the giant hole in the ground.
Getting to the sixth and final one, to the east. Late in the afternoon, there they decide to head down into the City of Ruins.
They go down one of the giant stone ramps, that goes down hundreds of feet into the giant hole in the ground.
Even at this time of the day, there's a lot of people heading down to the ancient city of Dalphene.
Though even more people are heading up, than going down into the giant hole in the ground as they are.
There's a fair few mercenaries and adventurers like themselves heading down into the City of Ruins.
And though a lot of them are already serving in one company or another that ply their trade in the giant hole in the ground.
Most are looking to join one of those companies. Many of which hire at all times of the day, and night, in the City of Ruins.
Once down in the first town at the base of the ramp they've gone down.
They head north, here along the eastern side of the giant hole in the ground.
With Hilmik the dwarven warrior continuing to lead them, as they head to the last town before no man's land starts here in the City of Ruins.
As they walk northwards as it approaches dusk. The group is oblivious to who is following them.
Someone who has been following them ever since they came up out of the giant hole in the ground.
At the northern end of the ancient city of Dalphene, late yesterday afternoon, when they were fleeing for their lives.
Dirt Digger the goblin, or Charles as he prefers to call himself nowadays.
Continues to follow the group he encountered yesterday afternoon at the very northern end of the giant hole in the ground.
The goblin, who can pass for both a civilized and wild goblin. As people often think he's one or the another.
He's actually a town, or civilized goblin, not a wild one.
Was a little reluctant to keep following the group of five mercenaries. Especially when he saw where they were heading.
For though Charles is a civilized goblin, he doesn't particularly like visiting the busy towns and villages overlooking the southern edge of the giant hole in the ground.
And he definitely dislikes the towns and villages, down in the City of Ruins, here in the southern end of the ancient City of Ruins.
He's of the opinion the towns and villages down here, are more dangerous than no man's land.
And that includes the unpredictable, and sparsely populated northern end of the giant hole in the ground.
Where there's all manner of people and creatures trying to kill you at any opportunity they get.
As he follows after the group of mercenaries, Charles whose goblin name is Dirt Digger.
Tries to keep clear of others who are down here at this end of the City of Ruins.
And though he knows there's some kind of truce between mercenary companies down here at this end of the giant hole in the ground.
He knows it's not the same as the neutral zone that's found in the middle of the ancient city of Dalphene.
As it starts to get gloomy as dusk approaches, Charles sees that those he's been following since late yesterday afternoon.
Are making their way to the northern most, or last township. Here at the eastern end of the City of Ruins.
Before no man's land begins, the five mile or so stretch that's a free for all before the neutral zone in the center of the ancient city of Dalphene.
And though there's a lot of recent activity of late just to the north of the neutral zone.
As various mercenary companies battle it out, as they try to assert their dominance. And take control of large parts of the giant hole in the ground.
It's still the southern half of the City of Ruins where most of the action, not to mention digging, and treasure seeking takes part.
"Hmmmm" Dirt Digger the goblin aka Charles murmurs to himself as he tries to recollect which mercenary company controls the last township before no man's land, here near the eastern wall of the giant hole in the ground.
Then the goblin, a fairly dark green specimen of his race. Nods his head as he recalls which mercenary captain, and their company who has control of the last town.
"Maygam" murmurs Charles, who nods his head as he remembers.
That stands to reason, the civilized goblin thinks to himself, as he did see yesterday the elven spellcaster Lolmildíll help out the group of mercenaries he's following.
And he, like pretty much most treasure seekers down here in the City of Ruins.
Has heard about the elven twins Lolmildíll and Gilvanéllé who are part of Maygam's mercenary company.
To be precise, heard about their reputation, and what they may or may not get up to.
Charles knows that their reputation is true. As he's seen on more than one occasion what the elven spellcaster Lolmildíll gets up to. And it's not a pretty sight.
Dirt Digger the goblin is just glad he's beneath the notice of someone like the elven spellcaster Lolmildíll.
As he continues to follow the five mercenaries into the last township down here in the giant hole in the ground before no man's land.
One of whom, that a group of traveling adventurers have come to the City of Ruins to find . . . . . .

TYOFT

Author's Note.

Test post.

17/11/21.

CJM.