69th Fall, 510 A.V. They were each of them blindfolded when they met upon the Road, but nary a stubbed toe was allowed by their guides, who ushered them carefully through the darkness. When one sense goes away, though, the others sharpen to compensate; the human animal is adaptive that way. And so, apparently, are most humanoids, Ethaefal and Konti in any case. Of all of them, Master Mero had the most experience in that area, having mined and been spelunking for what passed for the Denvali government. The horned son of Leth might have felt the stars on his skin, orienting him without sight. Or the Konti may have been granted a sense of herself with regard to her surroundings be far-sighted Avalis, but even granted such allowances, having a vague idea of where they were, they were taken to someplace they had never been. At some point, they were taken into a cave, or someplace where the stone walls threw back each sound like a bat's echolocation. Then they were truly underground, and the journey continued. When they stopped, the blindfolds were removed and the first sight to grace them was that of the Captain of Denval, her hair lit up like a flame in the golden lamplight. They were also all but surrounded by guards, but there was no sense that anyone was in trouble. Likely they would already be dead in such a case. Astrid smiled. "Thank you all for agreeing to help," she said, her voice a rich, throaty alto that seemed at odds with her sword-like frame. "Each of you has been in Denval for a while now, and each of you has been spoken for, else you wouldn't be here. You might have noticed that we are hospitable, at least, I hope you have. However, it is only after certain risks are taken for the good of Denval that people are truly accepted as our brethren. But I would not ask anything of anyone that I would not be willing to undertake myself, and so I shall accompany you." There were vague sounds from some of the guards; Astrid had not yet begotten an heir, and though her captaincy was militaristic in nature, it was an office passed down mostly by primogeniture and they trusted her blood to lead them. Packs were brought forth, thoughtfully filled with all sorts of tools and equipment they might need underground. There was a medical kit for Adalia, and more specialized spelunking tools for Marius. Extra rope for Aeden, the sailor. And Sitkanis, she had been told by one who would know that he possessed a magical sort of perception. "You will have heard, I'm sure, of pre-Valterrian ruins and other wonders kept hidden from the average citizen, and duly from foreigners..." "Oleg can't keep his fat mouth shut," muttered a man-at-arms nearby. "Well, the rumors are true, of course. We have some missing miners and a dearth of able spelunkers. Other teams are already searching, and we will take another route. There is always danger in such endeavors, so you should feel free to opt out now. But now is your last opportunity. "Now is also the best time to ask any questions before we go down there." She pointed past them to the beginning of their journey. |