The Find 70.

Autumn.

North central Southlands. The ancient city of Dalphene. More commonly called The City of Ruins.
"I don't know?" asks Farnill the mercenary, who follows that with "You think they will?".
"Who knows" replies Almard the mercenary as the group sit around the corner table drinking, after they've eaten their meal.
Melmear the mercenary, who previously worked in this tavern before joining the company.
Sits back down after speaking with the tavern keeper and a couple of others who work here, who she knows.
"I guess the captain will retaliate" says Hilmik the dwarven mercenary, who continues with "For all we know, he already has".
They haven't been able to find out anything, since their fellow mercenaries from their company, some of them who are in the tavern with them.
Don't exactly know what's happening at the moment in the battlefield, that's the northern part of the giant hole in the ground.
The young dwarven warrior, who hails from the Sunreach Mountains, the northern slopes of that range to be exact.
Is about to continue saying something, when the front door to the tavern opens.
And shouts and yells of excitement come from the patrons when they see who enters the tavern.
"Who is it?" asks Zam the mercenary and Melmear in unison, while both Farnill and Almard stand up to see what's all the commotion is about.
It's Hilmik who with his naturally enhanced hearing, who quickly discerns what's happening.
"It's the captain!" says the young dwarven warrior, who gets up and rushes forward.
Quickly followed by the rest of the group at the table. As they join the others to crowd around the popular mercenary captain.
It's not only Maygam the mercenary captain, but also Lolmildíll the elven magic user who has entered the tavern.
After the shouting and yelling dies down, due to captain Maygam putting up his arms to get everyone to quiet down, the mercenary leader speaks.
"All those in the company, gather your gear and equipment, we've got work to do in the north of the pit" states Maygam the mercenary captain, who follows that with "I've got an advantage over the next few days up there, and i intend to use it".
Those in the company hurry away, to get their gear from their homes. Meanwhile the group who have just recently returned, get their gear and equipment which they've left lying by the corner table where they were sitting.
Maygam watches them, then says "You five with me and Lolm" and he nods for them to follow him and the elven magic user outside.
They wait for the other members of the company to come back and join them out the front of the tavern.
As they do, a large, heavily armoured figure comes into view from around the side of the tavern.
Before they even wonder what's going on, Maygam says to the five who have recently made their way back down into the giant hole in the ground "Four of you will be going with the rest of us up north".
The mercenary captain continues on with "To help out with the fighting on the otherside of the neutral zone".
Maygam briefly pauses as the large figure in the dark armour, who cuts an ominous figure in the near dark with just a single lamp shining next to the front door of the tavern, stands beside the mercenary captain and the elven magic user.
"The other will be going with this individual" continues Maygam, who pauses once more before adding "Almard, Farnill, Hilmik and Melmear you'll be coming with the rest of us".
Those four glance at the fifth member of their group as the mercenary captain says "Zam you'll be joining the lord here, and his ah company".
The young mercenary in question blinks in surprise then says "Er?" followed by "Ah I've got a different hire now captain?".
"Something like that" mutters Maygam the mercenary captain in the elven language with a sideways glance up at the tall figure standing beside him.
Then the company captain says in common to the teenage mercenary "Sure" followed by "You'll be doing the same for his lordship here, as you've been doing for me and the company".
Maygam then mutters again in the elven language with "More or less".
Some of the others start coming back, and as they gather infront of the tavern, Maygam the mercenary captain says to the large, heavily armoured figure "You'll be off then?".
"I will" says lord Farque, who then looks at the young mercenary Zam, and tells him "Come along then".
Zam barely hears the farewells from the others in the group, though he does hear Hilmik the dwarven warrior say "Good luck lad".
The teenager, originally from the city-state of Kuradum, is in shock as he follows after the individual that Maygam the mercenary captain told him to go with.
They walk around the side of the tavern, and the undead warlord slows to allow the young mercenary to walk alongside him.
"I understand you tried to get into the city guards of Kuradum and failed?" asks the heavily armoured deathlord.
Zam blinks in surprise, as he wonders how this lord knows that about him. As he told just those in the group he was previously, about his failed attempt to get into the city guards of his homeland.
"Yeah i did" says Zam the mercenary, who then remembers who he's talking to, and he adds "Er my lord".
The lord and ruler of the lands Farque nods his full helmed head as they make their way through the southern half of the village.
Zam, who though still in shock at his change of situation, does ask "Where are we going?" followed by "Aren't we going to go up north, to all the fighting on the otherside of the neutral zone".
"We're going somewhere else" states the lord of the death realm, who then falls silent as they continue through the village.
They're soon at the southern edge of the village, where Zam is surprised to find a group of people waiting for them.
The young mercenary, who didn't even notice the figure in the white hooded cloak who followed him, and the lord. Wonders who these people are.
He takes a step back, when he spots a rather large green figure, that stinks.
And though he can't see it too clearly as there's only one moon up in the early night sky so far.
Zam is pretty sure it's not a troll. And Zam is absolutely certain, it looks to be more than a little agitated. Infact it looks down right murderous.
As the large, heavily armoured figure walks away, to speak with the even larger, not to mention, angry looking green creature.
Zam who takes another involuntary step back, almost steps back into the person he doesn't know who is behind him.
Who easily avoids the young mercenary, and comes to a stop beside him, and starts speaking to him.
"Don't worry about Dorc there" says Helbe the elven thief, whoop continues with "He just doesn't like that friend of yours, the dwarf Hilmik".
Zam, who is momentarily taken aback to find someone suddenly standing beside him, says "Er why?" followed "Why doesn't he like Hilmik?".
"Because he's a dwarf" is the dry sounding reply from the elven magic user.
The young elven noble who hails from the island principality of Laerel, then says "Let me introduce the others to you".
Zam is introduced to the group, that he suddenly finds he has joined. He doesn't remember many names straight away.
So he just nods his head, and says "Greetings" to the others, as he's introduced to them by the elf, who he finds out is called Helbe.
"And of course you've met our leader lord Farque" says the elven masterthief who quickly determined that the newest member of the group doesn't have anything of value to steal.
"And that with him over there, he's talking to is Dorc" adds the highly talented elven practitioner of magic.
"Er, what is Dorc?" quietly asks the young mercenary who hails from the city-state of Kuradum.
"Trouble" dryly says the figure in the black hooded cloak, who walks over, who Zam recalls is called Mira.
"Just keep out of his way, and you'll be fine" says Mira Reinholt the mage, who follows that with "Oh if he offers you anything to eat, don't take it".
The figure in the black hooded cloak looks sideways at the elf named Helbe, who sourly smiles in return.
"I'll remember that then" says the young mercenary from Kuradum, who suddenly finds himself amongst another band of mercenaries, or what he assumes are mercenaries.
Lord Farque, and the large creature named Dorc walk back to where the rest are waiting.
Zam involuntarily steps back when Dorc looks his way, and growls at him.
The large green creature only stops when the lord slaps him on the arm, and says something in a guttural sounding language that Zam doesn't understand.
"Tovis you're babysitting the new arrival" says lord Farque in the elven language to the war engineer, who nods in reply.
Then switching to the common language, the undead warlord says "Let's go" followed by "Beldane up top".
"The town to the west?" asks Beldane the cleric, the large, heavily armoured deathlord replies with a nod of his full helmed head, then says "It'll be there soon".
The powerful cleric who is from the kingdom of Nastell nods at that, then he starts casting.
"Through it" says the lord and ruler of the lands Farque a few moments later when a gateway appears.
First through is Helbe the elven thief, followed by Lisell Maera the scout.
"Er what's that?" quietly asks Zam "A portal" replies Tovis the war engineer as he walks up to the young mercenary who is originally from the city-state of Kuradum.
"Stick close to me, and you'll be fine" adds the young engineer who is a captain in the armies of Farque.
Zam nods then blinks in surprise as he watches the next two go through the portal after the knight and the halfling.
He's pretty sure the young woman next to the young man in the half plate armour. Has a cat sitting on her right shoulder.
The young mercenary who finds himself amongst others he knows nothing about.
Nods and steps forward, when Tovis says to him "Come along then".
Side by side they step through the gateway, and the next moment Zam realises he's somewhere else.
The teenager from the city-state of Kuradum knows exactly where they are. They're just outside the western most town up top, that overlooks 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.
"That way" says the young engineer who is originally from the kingdom of Druvic.
They follow after the others as the rest of the group come through the gateway.
The last through is Beldane the cleric, who drops his spell once he's on this side of the gateway.
As they walk south away from the town, Zam spots what looks like a building they're heading towards.
As they get closer, he realises it's an airship. A small, dark, sleek looking, single masted vessel.
And though he knows next to nothing about airships. To his eye, this one looks quick.
"Your company has an airship?" quietly asks Zam the mercenary as he realises this company must be well off, and successful to own such an airship.
"Yeah" replies Tovis the war engineer, who follows this with "We're not like other companies" he then adds in a murmur that Zam doesn't hear "We're not exactly a company either".
Soon everyone is onboard, and the small airship, that the newest member of the group, learns is called the Quick Gull, is steadily rising up into the night sky.
Zam stands at the starboard rail as the small, sleek looking airship turns that way, and starts heading to the south and west.
As it does, he looks back and he can see down into the giant hole in the ground, into the City of Ruins.
Away to the north, miles away, north of the neutral zone. Zam spots an explosion, followed by another.
As the fighting continues in that half of the giant hole in the ground. As mercenary captains fight for control of that part of the ancient city of Dalphene.
As the newest member of the group stands at the starboard rail, lord Farque walks over to him.
Zam is silent for a moment, then after glancing at the large, heavily armoured figure standing next to him, he asks "Where are we going?".
"Somewhere" is the reply lord Farque, which garners a nod from the young mercenary who hails from the city-state of Kuradum.
Who looks back, and watches the City of Ruins slowly disappear away to the north, as they head southwest.
On this cool, autumn evening in this part of the northern, central region of the Southlands.

Author's Note - Here ends "The Find". The main storyline will return in "The Thick Of It".

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.

The Find 65.

Autumn.

The the giant hole in the ground. aka the pit. The ancient city of Dalphene. aka The City of Ruins.
He slightly groans as he wakes up, as he does he briefly thinks about rolling onto his side.
But he decides to stay where he is. Flat on his back, on the ground somewhere. Where exactly? He's not too sure.
After a few moments, he takes a deep breath, then opens his eyes. And wonders where he is.
It takes him a moment or two, but he realises that he's looking up at the ceiling of an underground chamber, or a cave.
He figures it's the former and not the later. As caves aren't exactly abundant down on the floor of the pit.
You're more likely to find a cave in the sides of the giant hole in the ground.
He goes to sit up, when he hears a vaguely familiar voice say in a sardonic, and effete sounding voice "Don't try and cast" followed by "You'll regret it".
With a frown upon his face, he does sit up, and turns his head to the left, the direction he heard the person speaking.
And in the light of a lamp in what's an underground chamber, he finds an elf sitting upon a wooden crate, watching him.
He knows the elf, having met him a couple of times in the past. And he frowns again as once more he wonders how he got here.
"Lolm?" says Darmos the wizard who shakes his head, and wonders why the elven magic user who is part of Maygam's mercenary company, has got a hold of him.
"The very one" says Lolmildíll the elven magic user, as he watches the wizard in the rumpled looking red coloured robes.
For his part, Darmos the wizard is too shocked to do anything as he's still wondering what happened to him.
Then the spellcaster who is part of Jorkamin's company grimaces as he vaguely remembers being caught up in an explosion which he barely escaped.
Then getting knocked out when something came out of the darkness of the night and hit him.
The wizard in the maroon coloured robes sits up, wincing as he does so, holding up a hand as he says "Don't worry, i won't cast".
The practitioner of magic who is effectively the second in command of Jorkamin's company, then mutters "I'm in no shape to cast anyway".
The wizard looks around, at what looks like it's a storage chamber, that's off a tunnel.
Then he says to his fellow spellcaster from a rival mercenary company "I guess I'm a prisoner then?".
"You are" is the reply of Lolmildíll the elven magic user, who is more widely known down here in the City of Ruins as Lolm.
Darmos is just glad that it's Lolm sitting here in the chamber with him, and not the elven magic user's twin brother Gilvanéllé.
As that brother is a known despot, whose erratic and untowards behaviour, is best avoided.
Not that Lolmildíll is that much better, as he's almost as bad as his twin brother. As their nefarious reputations are well known to be true.
The wizard Darmos suspects that the truth of them is probably even worse than their reputation.
Feeling bruised and sore, the spellcaster in Jorkamin's company wonders how long he's been here.
The elven magic user Lolmildíll answers that for him with "You haven't been here long".
The nobleborn elf from the principality of Alínlae continues with "It's morning, you we're captured during the night by others, and handed over to us earlier this morning".
"I'm surprised I'm still alive" murmurs the human spellcaster as he slightly grimaces while sitting in a more comfortable position.
With what can only be described as a predatory looking grin upon the youthful looking face of the elven magic user.
Lolmildíll of house Jilenthàl says to his fellow practitioner of magic "So am i" followed by "But you're more useful to us alive than dead".
The slim, effete sounding elf, shrugs his shoulders then says "Hence you're still breathing".
The elven magic user then falls silent, and glances to the opening to the tunnel the chamber is off.
A few moments later, Darmos hears people approaching, and two people he recognises enters the chamber.
"Darmos" says Maygam the mercenary captain after he and his second in command Uren, enter the storage chamber the prisoner is being kept in.
"Maygam" says the wizard sitting on the chamber floor, who then adds "Uren".
As he nods in greeting to the two mercenaries who have just made their way into the chamber from the tunnel.
"You tell him?" asks the mercenary captain with a glance at the elven magic user sitting on the wooden crate.
"No" is the reply from Lolmildíll who follows that with "I thought I'd leave that up to you".
Maygam nods, then looking at the prisoner, he tells him "You were captured last night by some".
The mercenary captain briefly pauses before adding "Some interesting characters".
He continues on with "You made a mistake with that rift to their location" followed by "You're lucky to be alive" Maygam then adds "As everyone else who was with you are dead, and from what Lolm and Gilvan have told me, a fair few of your company that were on the otherside of the rift are dead too after those massive explosions".
Darmos grimaces at that, and wonders how things fair with the rest of the company.
Including Jorkamin himself, who was just on the otherside of the building from where the wizard created the rift he went through last night.
The spellcaster in the maroon coloured robes refrains from grimacing again, when Maygam says to him "I wouldn't be surprised if you got Jorkamin killed in that rift exploding last night".
The mercenary captain pauses for a moment or two, before he continues with "No matter if he didn't".
Maygam pauses once more, before he points at the wizard sitting on the chamber floor, and says to him "If he's still alive and kicking, he'll want his second in command back to him".
Darmos does slightly grimace at that, for though he's often thought of as an advisor to Jorkamin the mercenary captain.
It's no secret to other influential mercenaries operating down here in the City of Ruins.
That Darmos is basically the second in command of Jorkamin's company. The largest, and most successful of the mercenary companies in the giant hole in the ground.
Where at the moment, just north of the so called neutral zone in the ancient city of Dalphene.
More commonly known throughout the Southlands and beyond, as the City of Ruins.
There's a fight going on between multiple mercenary companies, to see who is the most dominant one down here.
A smile appears upon the face of Maygam the mercenary captain who then says "Knowing Jorkamin, he'll do anything to get you back".
The wizard Darmos tries to refrain from reacting to that, but he can't help but slightly nod in agreement with what Maygam just said.
As he knows that Jorkamin, if he still lives. Will want him back by his side as soon as possible.
Watching another group in the company arrive from the southern end of the City of Ruins.
Jorkamin the mercenary captain nods in satisfaction, then slightly grimaces as he goes to turn quickly and move away.
He lets out a sigh, as he's still aching from being healed after the tower he was up last night, fell down around him, almost killing him.
The mercenary captain remains where he is, and waits as his acting second Marissa makes her way over after speaking with the new arrivals.
"Good" quietly says Jorkamin the mercenary captain when Marissa the mercenary tells him "This new lot will go off with the lot after Jarnok's mob".
The mercenary captain nods in greeting to the new arrivals as they hurry away through the dilapidated old ruins that the company is using as a staging point.
Here to the north of the neutral zone in the giant hole in the ground, within which is the ancient city of Dalphene, more commonly called the City of Ruins.
"Any word back from Jenin?" asks Jorkamin, referring to the sorceress in the company, who is now in charge of everything magical now that Darmos the wizard is missing, most likely dead.
"No word yet" is the reply of the acting second in the company as the two of them make their way outside.
On what's a cold autumn morning down here in the ancient city of Dalphene.
"Least that fog is starting to burn away now" quietly says Jorkamin, as the fog a little earlier was extremely thick.
Now it's dissipating, only thick in certain spots here in the northern half of the giant hole in the ground.
After the losses of yesterday, especially last night. Where nearly a hundred of the company were killed in the two explosions that destroyed the rift that Darmos created.
Jorkamin has renewed the efforts to wipe out his two main rivals, down here in the City of Ruins. That being Jarnok and Hamblett's mercenary companies.
The mercenary captain who almost died last night, doesn't want the same mistakes as yesterday and last night.
Where he lost two of the three airships he has in the area. Along with a couple of the wyverns he has at his disposal.
Not to mention the amount of the company he lost since he decided to make a move on the other companies up here in the northern half of the giant hole in the ground.
Standing up on a pile of rubble, so that he can watch some of the company move off through the thinning fog as they go west.
Jorkamin quietly says to his new acting second in command "We may of had our losses yesterday and during the night".
The mercenary captain briefly pauses before continuing on with "But no one else can still match us for numbers".
Marissa nods in agreement with him, then quietly says "The other wyvern will be up when this fog finally clears" followed by "That will make a huge difference".
"Have it fly high and out of the way" says Jorkamin, who continues with "That's the last one we have up here, i don't want to send away to Ewteets for another one".
"Will do cap" says the newly made acting second in command of the largest mercenary company down here in the ancient city of Dalphene.
The two of them watch as one of the company can be seen hurrying back this way through the thinning fog from the west. Hurrying by those going out west, who are off to take on Jarnok's company.
"Cap" says the merc when he spots Jorkamin and Marissa up on the pile of rubble.
He hurries up and joins them, and quickly says "Cap, the sorceress Jenin has just found something out".
"What?" asks the mercenary captain, who can see away to the left, to the south, the ancient ruins, and tower next to it.
About sixty yards away, that are no longer standing after being destroyed in a massive explosion when the rift created by Darmos the wizard, was taken out.
"Not sure cap" says the merc, who follows that with "She should be here shortly".
Indeed, the sorceress does turn up shortly. When she suddenly appears with two others in the company, after teleporting here through the thinning fog.
Hurrying up the pile of rubble they're on, Jenin the sorceress nods for the others to move away, so that only the mercenary captain and his acting second in command can hear what she has to say.
"It's Darmos" quietly says Jenin the sorceress, who after a brief pause continues with "He's alive".
Jorkamin who is delighted to hear that, then frowns as the sorceress quietly says "He's been captured".
"By who?" says Jorkamin the mercenary captain, whose frown turns to a scowl when Jenin quietly tells him "Maygam and those elven twins of his" . . . . . .