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<blockquote data-quote="Elemental" data-source="post: 913195" data-attributes="member: 7931"><p>The contract was finalized. For 50 gold per week, make sure the students and teachers had a comfortable working environment. No monsters, no thieves, and no invading armies of barbarians. Details varied. Usha didn’t want to be tied down for more than a year, and Carudan wanted to lease some land nearby to build a chapel. And the conversation also moved onto the underground lake.</p><p></p><p>"Yes, professor Hammerfa said he sent one of his boys down there with two potions of water breathing, and he reports it just goes into an underground aquifer, until his first potion ran out. Nothing more hostile down there than some fish that nibbled on his toes."</p><p></p><p>"Is it linked to that swamp the kobold village was in, by any chance?" she asked.</p><p></p><p>“I have no idea, but I’d doubt it.” he replied.</p><p></p><p>"The reason I ask, is that if that monster had no way to the village, there might be something else out there that did torch it."</p><p></p><p>"Hmm, that is rather disturbing news..."</p><p></p><p>Usha didn’t know much about magic, having mainly heard stories and legends. One, which she was becoming dissuaded of, was that wizards were chosen for their great intelligence.</p><p></p><p>Estivan spoke up. "I would suggest you fortify that area where the passage is found and post guards down there, as well as restore the rooms in the area, because as recent events suggested, it is currently a possible threat to the college."</p><p></p><p>"It might be a good idea if we sent another expedition into the passage. If it does lead to the swamp, then we will need to fortify or watch that area as well." said Carudan.</p><p></p><p>"Unless one of you can permanently breathe water, I don't see how something like that could happen." </p><p></p><p>"That talent isn't one of the thing my accursed "gifted" me with. which is unfortunate.” said Estivan.</p><p></p><p>"But do rest assured, we will get to the bottom of this problem. Until then, we will post magical sentry wards around the area to make sure nothing nasty comes back."</p><p></p><p>Usha nodded. “Anything you want doing for the present?"</p><p></p><p>"Well I don't know, you're not on contract yet... You sure want to start early, eh?"</p><p></p><p>"It is a practical consideration.” said Estivan. “Since we have verbal agreement, it leaves us unofficially in your employ pending our making it formal. Thusly it is beneficial for both parties to start as early as possible.”</p><p></p><p>"I just asked because I was bored. But that too."</p><p></p><p>"Well I have heard that Lady Qu'foval has reported that some of his books have gone missing. Probably just students trying to get a greater edge over their peers, but it's quite an inconvenience to her..."</p><p></p><p>“Do you have any clue what sort of books are missing?”</p><p></p><p>"Mostly some of her advanced Illusionary books, nothing irreplaceable, but a bit expensive none the less."</p><p> </p><p>"When were they reported missing, and when was the last time they were seen?"</p><p></p><p>"I don't think so, but I'm not that sure. We had them reported about two weeks ago which was about midterms, so we didn't pay it too much mind."</p><p></p><p></p><p>"Illusionary books? Interesting. I think things may be far more interesting then we thought. Good day, sir." said Silver, and then left. Well, far be it from the great sorcerer to actually explain what he was thinking once in a while.</p><p></p><p>"Well, look at where stolen books got us last time....."</p><p></p><p>After some more fruitless speculation it was agreed that Estivan and Usha would ask her about the books. But nope, apparently some of Estivan’s brooding related to her, and he had a question he wanted to ask as they were going there.</p><p></p><p>"I have a question for you. "Do you make it a habit of causing people to question beliefs they have had for a long time and question there perceived truths?"</p><p></p><p>The hell?</p><p></p><p>"Just the ones I consider wrong."</p><p></p><p>They entered the classroom past several students leaving the room. Silver was there already, talking with a beautiful female elf. </p><p></p><p>…..just a wandering sorcerer, good lady. Following the path of most elves and confronting evil as I find it. Besides how else can an elf encounter new and beautiful sights."</p><p></p><p>"And there goes the nice chat we were having."</p><p></p><p>Usha ignored that. After all, if you didn’t want people walking in on your conversations, you let them know what you were doing.</p><p></p><p>She turned to greet them. "Well hello there, I am amazed that such fearsome warriors can look so handsome...”</p><p></p><p>"Thank you.” replied Usha. “You are looking most radiant yourself. If we're interrupting something, we can come back later?"</p><p></p><p>“My associate and I would like to ask you a few question regarding your missing books.”</p><p></p><p>"A task which I was already in the midst of doing." said Silver. Somehow, Usha doubted that was all he’d been in the middle of doing.</p><p></p><p>"Oh, well then, what sort of use could those books be? Could then be used for nefarious purposes?" asked Estivan.</p><p></p><p>"Usha, are you sure this is the real Estivan?” asked Silver. “Too little glares and too much niceness."</p><p></p><p>Estivan glared at him.</p><p></p><p>"That's more like it."</p><p></p><p>"Well I know that there were no direclty harmful spells in those books, but they could give someone a nasty surprise.” said the Lady. “Might be useful for a prank or someone trying to get a night in a lovely lady's bed..."</p><p></p><p>"M'lady, forgive them. They have no enjoyment in taking their proper time with things." said Silver.</p><p>"I see, could they be used to any martial effect? Estivan asked "Or to hide things from people who seek?"</p><p></p><p>"Well I don't think so, really, you might be able to make a lead coin look like a gold one, but I don't know about martial..."</p><p></p><p>"Could they make anything else appear as other then they really are?"</p><p></p><p>Never quite got his head round the idea of ‘illusion’, then?</p><p></p><p>"More like marital spells, from what you said.” said Usha. “I don't suppose you have any prime suspects, to save me some work?"</p><p></p><p>"Well with what is in the books it's just basic and slightly advanced illusionary theory. They can make it look like anything roughly about the same size and shape as the original target..."</p><p></p><p>"Could it work on a opening to a tunnel or a door or some such?"</p><p></p><p>Usha sighed. "I'm sure you have some sort of safety system in place to stop things like that happening? After all, you two know much more about magic than I ever will."</p><p></p><p>"Well of course if they have no spellcasting ability they won't be able to do anything. I did have a lock or two on some of the books, but they could be open by an easy knock spell or some such."</p><p></p><p>Estivan looked at Usha. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”</p><p></p><p>"No, I'm not. Yes, she is very pretty, but try and keep your mind on the topic in hand."</p><p></p><p>He glared at her in rage. Silver smiled to himself.</p><p></p><p>"I'm just a bit worried. I mean, you surely heard about what happened to Hergal because of his book."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, but wasn't that more of some sort of vendetta against him or something? Besides, these books have been around for centuries, and I've only written half of them."</p><p></p><p>"You're probably right."</p><p></p><p>"And what were these two threats in relation to my school or magic? I must have missed that some time down the line..."</p><p></p><p>Estivan spoke up. "Well, there isn't a direct relation, but those missing books could be of use to someone who possibly has similar desires to the last two threats. A loose threat like these books could cause some unforseen complications, which is why we are trying to find out where they are and what they are capable of."</p><p></p><p>"I think a link to the strange stuff that's been happening isn't that likely. More likely it's either a student or a conventional thief who figured they looked valuable. Just making sure that another skum isn't going to turn up in disguise or something like that." said Usha.</p><p></p><p>"If you can get my books back to me unharmed, that would be good enough for me. I don't really know or much care about these matters, honestly."</p><p></p><p>"Which makes sense. Good day, and thanks for your help."</p><p></p><p></p><p>Estivan caught up with her again as she was heading back to her room.</p><p></p><p>"I am sorry that I called it you a low born wench. Its was disgrace of me and a product of an emotion I didn't want to realize I had.”</p><p></p><p>"Thank you for apologizing. Most of the time, you're your own worst enemy. You're very good at what you do, you're not stupid, it's just the whole attitude you carry around that puts people off."</p><p></p><p>"I have realized that my "attitude" as you put it, not only dishonors me, but also my family. Indeed, my mother has in the past been disappointed in the past by it. I know I disappoint her more even now. This I do not want, and the reason for it is something my mother has been fighting since I was born."</p><p></p><p><em> Oh great, here comes the angst. </em> "Well, don't agonise about it, do something about it."</p><p></p><p>"That is want I am trying to do now and what I have been trying to figure for the past six days. I just have a question for you that has been bothering me since I found that flood passage. What is it you see when you looked at me? What sort of face do I wear in your eyes?”</p><p></p><p>She sighed. <em> Do I really want to go through with this? I don’t want to be the one responsible for making him even more annoying. At least the way he is, he’s good as the butt of a joke once in a while. </em> But she couldn’t quite bring herself to come out with a barbed retort. Instead, she spoke from the heart.</p><p></p><p>"A face, which isn't really important. Behind that, someone who's too used to having people beneath him, and too used to looking at people's station over their true worth. Someone who's brave and stalwart, but at the same time, someone so humorless and arrogant that people don't compliment him on that for fear of bloating his ego still further. You expressed surprise that I follow Sune? It's not for the free love...not entirely. It's a doctrine of not being ashamed to be what you really are, and of cultivating inner beauty as well as outer." She stopped. There was silence for a few seconds, then Estivan spoke.</p><p></p><p>"Perhaps it’s a mask I should shed, for it is one too close to my father for my liking. Its seems in my zeal to become less like him I because more like him then I ever could have imagined.”</p><p></p><p>"I think one day, you need to find your father and sort things out with him. Using the sharp end of a sword, probably."</p><p></p><p>"I have planned all my life to deal my father the justice he deserve, but before that day I just need to realize the true meaning of the word, for I have come to realize that is the reason why my mother kept me and my step father help raise me, though why I won't know for a while.”</p><p></p><p><em>Uh?</em> </p><p></p><p>"Time enough for all of that later. For now, let's find Blue. You know I'd never have thought it possible, but you're almost tolerable."</p><p></p><p>They found Blue just outside the walls of the college, as the sun set. "I think I might have come across a good lead." he said. “The only problem is we might not be able to find the person."</p><p></p><p>"A thief that doesn't want to be found? Who'd have thought it?" said Usha in mock amazement.</p><p></p><p>"I don’t know if this man is the thief. Its just a lead I got. That all."</p><p></p><p>He was cut off by the rather unexpected sight of Carudan running towards them, carrying a limp body over one shoulder. It was an old man.</p><p></p><p>"You seemed like such a nice, quiet person, too....did he overcharge you and drive you into a rage?"</p><p></p><p>"I found him behind a large rock in the way down to the water passage. Something... drained him, of blood if not more."</p><p></p><p>At that point, the corpse suddenly lurched upright, and latched it’s teeth onto Carudan’s shoulder. He gasped in pain and shock, and managed to fling the thing loose. Usha drew her sword and stabbed at it. It struck at them with claws—where had they come from?--but after the shock of the initial attack was overcome, it was quickly overwhelmed and cut down.</p><p></p><p>"What on Toril is that cold handed touch of death thing?” demanded Estivan.</p><p></p><p>"Okay, my mistake bringing that thing up here." said Carudan.</p><p></p><p>“Carudan, what were you trying to do?" asked Usha.</p><p></p><p>"I was trying to get what I thought was a dead body identified. I assumed, if it was undead, it would have attacked me while I was still alone."</p><p></p><p>"Well, perhaps it just woke up.....that was a vampire, right?"</p><p></p><p>"That's as good a guess as any. Undead, certainly. I'll have to do some investigation to verify, but a vampire is likely, at the least"</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Elemental, post: 913195, member: 7931"] The contract was finalized. For 50 gold per week, make sure the students and teachers had a comfortable working environment. No monsters, no thieves, and no invading armies of barbarians. Details varied. Usha didn’t want to be tied down for more than a year, and Carudan wanted to lease some land nearby to build a chapel. And the conversation also moved onto the underground lake. "Yes, professor Hammerfa said he sent one of his boys down there with two potions of water breathing, and he reports it just goes into an underground aquifer, until his first potion ran out. Nothing more hostile down there than some fish that nibbled on his toes." "Is it linked to that swamp the kobold village was in, by any chance?" she asked. “I have no idea, but I’d doubt it.” he replied. "The reason I ask, is that if that monster had no way to the village, there might be something else out there that did torch it." "Hmm, that is rather disturbing news..." Usha didn’t know much about magic, having mainly heard stories and legends. One, which she was becoming dissuaded of, was that wizards were chosen for their great intelligence. Estivan spoke up. "I would suggest you fortify that area where the passage is found and post guards down there, as well as restore the rooms in the area, because as recent events suggested, it is currently a possible threat to the college." "It might be a good idea if we sent another expedition into the passage. If it does lead to the swamp, then we will need to fortify or watch that area as well." said Carudan. "Unless one of you can permanently breathe water, I don't see how something like that could happen." "That talent isn't one of the thing my accursed "gifted" me with. which is unfortunate.” said Estivan. "But do rest assured, we will get to the bottom of this problem. Until then, we will post magical sentry wards around the area to make sure nothing nasty comes back." Usha nodded. “Anything you want doing for the present?" "Well I don't know, you're not on contract yet... You sure want to start early, eh?" "It is a practical consideration.” said Estivan. “Since we have verbal agreement, it leaves us unofficially in your employ pending our making it formal. Thusly it is beneficial for both parties to start as early as possible.” "I just asked because I was bored. But that too." "Well I have heard that Lady Qu'foval has reported that some of his books have gone missing. Probably just students trying to get a greater edge over their peers, but it's quite an inconvenience to her..." “Do you have any clue what sort of books are missing?” "Mostly some of her advanced Illusionary books, nothing irreplaceable, but a bit expensive none the less." "When were they reported missing, and when was the last time they were seen?" "I don't think so, but I'm not that sure. We had them reported about two weeks ago which was about midterms, so we didn't pay it too much mind." "Illusionary books? Interesting. I think things may be far more interesting then we thought. Good day, sir." said Silver, and then left. Well, far be it from the great sorcerer to actually explain what he was thinking once in a while. "Well, look at where stolen books got us last time....." After some more fruitless speculation it was agreed that Estivan and Usha would ask her about the books. But nope, apparently some of Estivan’s brooding related to her, and he had a question he wanted to ask as they were going there. "I have a question for you. "Do you make it a habit of causing people to question beliefs they have had for a long time and question there perceived truths?" The hell? "Just the ones I consider wrong." They entered the classroom past several students leaving the room. Silver was there already, talking with a beautiful female elf. …..just a wandering sorcerer, good lady. Following the path of most elves and confronting evil as I find it. Besides how else can an elf encounter new and beautiful sights." "And there goes the nice chat we were having." Usha ignored that. After all, if you didn’t want people walking in on your conversations, you let them know what you were doing. She turned to greet them. "Well hello there, I am amazed that such fearsome warriors can look so handsome...” "Thank you.” replied Usha. “You are looking most radiant yourself. If we're interrupting something, we can come back later?" “My associate and I would like to ask you a few question regarding your missing books.” "A task which I was already in the midst of doing." said Silver. Somehow, Usha doubted that was all he’d been in the middle of doing. "Oh, well then, what sort of use could those books be? Could then be used for nefarious purposes?" asked Estivan. "Usha, are you sure this is the real Estivan?” asked Silver. “Too little glares and too much niceness." Estivan glared at him. "That's more like it." "Well I know that there were no direclty harmful spells in those books, but they could give someone a nasty surprise.” said the Lady. “Might be useful for a prank or someone trying to get a night in a lovely lady's bed..." "M'lady, forgive them. They have no enjoyment in taking their proper time with things." said Silver. "I see, could they be used to any martial effect? Estivan asked "Or to hide things from people who seek?" "Well I don't think so, really, you might be able to make a lead coin look like a gold one, but I don't know about martial..." "Could they make anything else appear as other then they really are?" Never quite got his head round the idea of ‘illusion’, then? "More like marital spells, from what you said.” said Usha. “I don't suppose you have any prime suspects, to save me some work?" "Well with what is in the books it's just basic and slightly advanced illusionary theory. They can make it look like anything roughly about the same size and shape as the original target..." "Could it work on a opening to a tunnel or a door or some such?" Usha sighed. "I'm sure you have some sort of safety system in place to stop things like that happening? After all, you two know much more about magic than I ever will." "Well of course if they have no spellcasting ability they won't be able to do anything. I did have a lock or two on some of the books, but they could be open by an easy knock spell or some such." Estivan looked at Usha. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” "No, I'm not. Yes, she is very pretty, but try and keep your mind on the topic in hand." He glared at her in rage. Silver smiled to himself. "I'm just a bit worried. I mean, you surely heard about what happened to Hergal because of his book." "Yes, but wasn't that more of some sort of vendetta against him or something? Besides, these books have been around for centuries, and I've only written half of them." "You're probably right." "And what were these two threats in relation to my school or magic? I must have missed that some time down the line..." Estivan spoke up. "Well, there isn't a direct relation, but those missing books could be of use to someone who possibly has similar desires to the last two threats. A loose threat like these books could cause some unforseen complications, which is why we are trying to find out where they are and what they are capable of." "I think a link to the strange stuff that's been happening isn't that likely. More likely it's either a student or a conventional thief who figured they looked valuable. Just making sure that another skum isn't going to turn up in disguise or something like that." said Usha. "If you can get my books back to me unharmed, that would be good enough for me. I don't really know or much care about these matters, honestly." "Which makes sense. Good day, and thanks for your help." Estivan caught up with her again as she was heading back to her room. "I am sorry that I called it you a low born wench. Its was disgrace of me and a product of an emotion I didn't want to realize I had.” "Thank you for apologizing. Most of the time, you're your own worst enemy. You're very good at what you do, you're not stupid, it's just the whole attitude you carry around that puts people off." "I have realized that my "attitude" as you put it, not only dishonors me, but also my family. Indeed, my mother has in the past been disappointed in the past by it. I know I disappoint her more even now. This I do not want, and the reason for it is something my mother has been fighting since I was born." [I] Oh great, here comes the angst. [/I] "Well, don't agonise about it, do something about it." "That is want I am trying to do now and what I have been trying to figure for the past six days. I just have a question for you that has been bothering me since I found that flood passage. What is it you see when you looked at me? What sort of face do I wear in your eyes?” She sighed. [I] Do I really want to go through with this? I don’t want to be the one responsible for making him even more annoying. At least the way he is, he’s good as the butt of a joke once in a while. [/I] But she couldn’t quite bring herself to come out with a barbed retort. Instead, she spoke from the heart. "A face, which isn't really important. Behind that, someone who's too used to having people beneath him, and too used to looking at people's station over their true worth. Someone who's brave and stalwart, but at the same time, someone so humorless and arrogant that people don't compliment him on that for fear of bloating his ego still further. You expressed surprise that I follow Sune? It's not for the free love...not entirely. It's a doctrine of not being ashamed to be what you really are, and of cultivating inner beauty as well as outer." She stopped. There was silence for a few seconds, then Estivan spoke. "Perhaps it’s a mask I should shed, for it is one too close to my father for my liking. Its seems in my zeal to become less like him I because more like him then I ever could have imagined.” "I think one day, you need to find your father and sort things out with him. Using the sharp end of a sword, probably." "I have planned all my life to deal my father the justice he deserve, but before that day I just need to realize the true meaning of the word, for I have come to realize that is the reason why my mother kept me and my step father help raise me, though why I won't know for a while.” [I]Uh?[/I] "Time enough for all of that later. For now, let's find Blue. You know I'd never have thought it possible, but you're almost tolerable." They found Blue just outside the walls of the college, as the sun set. "I think I might have come across a good lead." he said. “The only problem is we might not be able to find the person." "A thief that doesn't want to be found? Who'd have thought it?" said Usha in mock amazement. "I don’t know if this man is the thief. Its just a lead I got. That all." He was cut off by the rather unexpected sight of Carudan running towards them, carrying a limp body over one shoulder. It was an old man. "You seemed like such a nice, quiet person, too....did he overcharge you and drive you into a rage?" "I found him behind a large rock in the way down to the water passage. Something... drained him, of blood if not more." At that point, the corpse suddenly lurched upright, and latched it’s teeth onto Carudan’s shoulder. He gasped in pain and shock, and managed to fling the thing loose. Usha drew her sword and stabbed at it. It struck at them with claws—where had they come from?--but after the shock of the initial attack was overcome, it was quickly overwhelmed and cut down. "What on Toril is that cold handed touch of death thing?” demanded Estivan. "Okay, my mistake bringing that thing up here." said Carudan. “Carudan, what were you trying to do?" asked Usha. "I was trying to get what I thought was a dead body identified. I assumed, if it was undead, it would have attacked me while I was still alone." "Well, perhaps it just woke up.....that was a vampire, right?" "That's as good a guess as any. Undead, certainly. I'll have to do some investigation to verify, but a vampire is likely, at the least" [/QUOTE]
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