The thought occurred to me that Yorick should be grateful we all didn’t eat as much as the paladin.
The merchant, appreciative of our rescue of his niece (and disposal of the ogres), had allowed us to stay the night in his residence. We were to be rewarded later, but for now, the interlude gave us the chance to discuss the tomb we had discovered, and the sword which had been encased within.
“Perhaps we should collect our sum and travel to the nearest town for information on the blade?" Valicus suggested.
“Did you want to see the mine again?” I asked. “Maybe find out some more information from the place we got the sword, urn, and box?"
"Was there much else to explore?"
I shrugged. It depending what he meant by exploring. Was there much else in the tomb besides dirt and statues and hulks? Not that I knew of, but then again, I was no wizard. I didn’t see things invisible to the naked eye. Who knew what –they- considered exploring?
"Not that I know of,” I said, “But there was the tomb. If you wanted to see it."
Marcel spoke up. "Well, there may have been something they did not notice, but you might, Valicus."
I didn’t know whether he doubted my skill, or whether he was referring to Valicus’ magical abilities.
The Speaker nodded at the bard’s idea. "Sounds interesting. I would not be opposed to returning to the mine. Let us finish up breakfast and our agreement with Yorick and head out then?"
The decision came none too soon. A servant appeared with a request for us to join 'the master of the house' in his study.
As we took our seats, Yorick spoke. "I wish to thank you all again, both personally and as a member of the community of Silverton, for the services you have performed for us. I mentioned that I would be able to reward you for your work, and I am able to do so - if you will simply tell me how you prefer such a reward to be made manifest. I have a sufficiency of gold to meet the need, although I can also arrange for a letter if you prefer to travel light."
“It is not a problem,” replied Val. “I am glad we could return them to safety."
Marcel spoke up, causing the Speaker to arch a brow. "I would think a letter would be easier for both parties."
It was good we had the bard to say these things for us.
Yorick smiled diplomatically at the two. "Your attitude is most virtuous, speaker; however, I will gladly offer you a reward. I encourage you to take it, if only to help establish a useful precedent to those that are of a less altruistic temperament. Is that acceptable to all of you? I will write a letter to a goldsmith that I know in Avalon if that is the most convenient?"
Valicus nodded for a moment. "I agree, Yorick. Not all shall be so welcomed to take us in during our travels."
"Such a reward is acceptable, to fund our travels, as well as give example to others,” Marcel added. “Encouraging such deeds about the land."
Robert nodded as well. "Anything that can be used to further the aid of others is welcomed."
In other words, “Yes, we’ll take your money.”
Yorick summoned a servant, and finished the writing and signing of the document.
Now that that was taken care of, I cleared my throat. "Do you know anything about the mine the ogres were in?"
"I believe that particular mine used to excavate for a rare ore, adamantine. It is preferred by the artificers for certain uses and is quite lucrative. The seam gave up some years ago however and there has been little exploration of the area since."
"My, adamantine?" Valicus nods his head heavily. "Very rare, and profitable I would imagine."
"Who owns the deed to the mine?" Marcel asked.
"I believe that the owners have let their leasehold lapse, and the land has passed to the council of Silverton. It is common to have short term leases on such ventures, since adamantine ore can be exhausted so swiftly. And yes, Speaker, it is a most profitable venture - when one can find enough of the stuff to mine." He smiled at that, before turning back to me. "I am afraid that is all I know about the mine, there might be more in the council records, or in those of the former operator?"
"Who was the former operator?" I questioned.
"Peter Duaneson... a mining financier who is locally influential. He has some rights to profitable silver veins."
"Hm, might he know more about the history of the mine? Before it became a mine, I mean."
"I am afraid that master Duaneson is very much fixed in the here and now. He might, but it would be most uncharacteristic of him."
"Do you know of anyone else who would know the history of the mine?"
"Silverton is a fairly busy little city; most people are interested in making their fortunes from either prospecting or in some kind of mining-related industry. There is not what I would call an active interest in the history of the region however."
"I trust Silverton does not have any further issues with the likes of Ogres and such, Master Yorick?" said Valicus.
"I do not believe so, speaker. There were rumours of travellers being waylaid on the road, but I suspect that you have dealt with the source of that already," the merchant smiled.
The servant returned with the tray, and Yorick inspected the letter. He then passed it across the desk to Marcel.
Marcel took it with both hands appreciatively. “Thank you, Master Yorrick. You too have done a service to the community."
I fought back the urge to roll my eyes. Though I didn’t dispute the benefit of buttering up merchants and nobility, I was glad it wasn’t my task.
Robert smiled and thanked Yorick. "We are glad to have been able to help, and your contribution will go towards helping others in the future as well. I wish you good fortune in the future, sir."
After leaving Yorick's residence, we spent time in Silverton exploring, listening to rumors, and purchasing supplies. I bought one of the stiff-maned, sturdy mountain horses off a local in order to carry some of our belongings. Though he wouldn’t win any prizes for beauty, Argyle, as I named him seemed dependable.
Hat, horse, and adventurers assembled, we returned to the mine. By the time we reached it, it was evening. Argyle, their new “companion”, was secured outside, while we proceeded back into the mine.
The platform was still there, as were the carved armoured figures.
"What odd statues,” Marcel observed. “I'm going to venture a guess and say that these aren't human ruins. I think we should hire some excavators, there must be more."
"Are we diggers now?” I asked, arching a brow. The idea of excavation seemed a bit daunting. “Or grave looters?"
"I think we are historians now. These may be the ruins of some sort of civilization from before the first name! Or possibly something a lot less exciting."
Robert continued to study the statues. He then turned to Marcel. "What do you know about these?"
"They are entirely foreign,” replied the bard. “They might be something from before the King, or even Mondain. So, interesting, I think. They might also not even be human, which is more likely."
"So, we set up camp then, and head to Avalon in the morning?" Marcel asked. "We could head back to Silverton in the morning and hire out a team of excavators. I am sure we could persuade Yorick into managing it all. He would get quite a benefit from unearthing such ancient ruins. And, we might get some answers."
"Or we could just ask someone about the ashes?" I suggested. Wrapped up in his big ideas, the bard tended to lack common sense.
"Either way. That may certainly be cheaper."
Avalon. Under the reign of the King, it was the great capital city of Britannia. I’m sure there was more history to it, but I had forgotten much of the Apple lessons I had as a child. Avalon was a long way from Spiritwood, after all.
We made our way first to the Adventurers’ Guild. A guild in name alone, it consisted of a tavern and adjacent stable. While Marcel played for the crowd, Robert arranged for our lodging.
After food and lodging, Marcel, Robert, and Valicus went to the academy there and spoke with a scholar named Susanna, a Green Apple. Through the use of spells, she was able to decipher the writing on the box: “Here is the tool of Yeverex. Let him take it on his great journey and let him bless us, his kin, when he reaches its end.” The sword was also inscribed with runes: "Strike ever true against the ancient foe." and "The force and the hope of we, the people of this kinship."
Susanna could not tell us who Yeverex was. Nor could she identify what sort of foe the blade was enchanted against. She did not know if it was a monster, a sort of person, or a group of people. She also did not know what sort of metal the blade was made of. She expressed interest in an excavation. However, in order to arrange anything, we would need some money.
Fortunately, or perhaps –unfortunately-, we ran into two mages looking to hire adventurers. But that is another story.
After finishing our obligations to the magi, the party returned to Susanna. She told us what she could, and updated us on the fact that she was making arrangements, but in the meantime, she recommended a Jhelhomian smith named Vikram in order to identify the metal the blade was crafted of. We made plans to travel there.
Along the way, we heard rumors of goblins in the hills. Something was apparently chasing them out of the higher country, resulting in more confrontations with townsfolk. Though usually such things were caused by goblin bands quarreling with each other, this was different.
We encountered a group of goblins while camping. Through the use of some rough goblin, I managed to decipher that they were running from something gray-skinned and tall. The group we talked with contained several wounded members, a strange thing for a goblin band. In my experience, goblins tend to only take the strongest of their numbers on raids. Though weakened, they outnumbered us. While I would have estimated our chances of victory to be decent, I thought it best to prevent an altercation and simply gave them food so they would leave.
We continued onward toward Paws. There, we found a strange militia. The presence of an armed band was curious, and we (or, at least Marcel and myself) were interested in investigating.
After our explorations, we continued to the city of Jhelom.