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Message: <blockquote data-quote="megamania" data-source="post: 890359" data-attributes="member: 9255">UNDER A DARKSUNSEGMENT 068“Uncle Grind”Reaching the surface, Cosa and Mania leave the underground.  She carefully replaces the wood panels as she looks around one last time.  With a deep sigh, she turns her back on the only home she has known for 4 years now.“We need to go to the cliff walls.  There we can escape the city walls and take cover in the forest.  I know someone there that can help us.”Mania nods and follows her.  They leave the abandoned area into the Freeman area.  They walk as quickly and directly as possible without drawing attention to themselves.  They enter the Merchant area and bypass the Temple of the Sun.  They become more cautious in the area of the West Gate.  As expected, the templars are thick.  Instead of 5 or 6 at the gates, there are a dozen.  A dozen in templar outfits anyway.“Would we do better trying to sneak out on a caravan?”“No.  They know you too well.  We can’t risk it.”They pass that area and enter the Tradesmen Area.  They are now close to the great earthen wall.  Mania looks up at the earthen cliff that rises above the city.  A few guards can be seen above.  Just out of sight are the true noble homes.  He has never seen them but knows they will make the Country Home of Keela’s family look small.  Keela.  He hasn’t thought of her for days now.  He determinedly blocks her out of his head.“Whoa…look at that…,” Mania says in astonishment.  Built near the earthen wall is a large coiled stone-carved snake.  A bridge connects the top of the cliff to the coiled body.  Nobles walk freely over the bridge.“Don’t look at it.  It’ll draw attention to us.  That is the Snake Tower.  It is how the richest nobles go from their mansions to the main city.  At the base of it are more noble homes.  We are going further down towards the Temple of Earth.”  She says this with never lifting her head or directing her gaze to anywhere but the ground about ten feet before her.The temple of Earth is a large block of stone carved out to be a multi-layered building.  The outside has various earthen elemental creatures depicted along with the standard elemental lords.  “Impressive” comments Mania.They enter the temple grounds and give a few coins to the worship box.  Mania mimics Cosa as she bows to a rough stone column towering over them by 15ft.  A dirty looking Dwarven priest walks up behind them.  “It is said this stone fell from a Spirit of the Land in battle.  It is a holy item and very sacred to us.”“Yes Uncle.  I know.”  Cosa stands up and bows to him.  “Perhaps we should go inside now.”  Mania shakes his head in amusement.  When will the surprises end he thinks to himself.The three of them enter the temple and go down deep into the earth.  Here, surrounded by their element of worship, the priests worship.  Mania can not help himself at looking and staring about the rooms.  Gems and diamonds are visible on the ceilings with magical enchantments to give a soft light to see by.  One room has stone caldrons of impressive size.  Then he sees one person sitting in a caldron being buried with earth.  Strange.They reach his private room where she takes off her cowl and give him a big hug.  “Oh Uncle Grind-  I haven’t seen you in about three years!  It has been too long.”“Yes, well that is not my fault girl.  You knew where I was.  It was not my fault you joined the rebellion.  You wanted girl?  I mean more than usual?  I heard there was a cleansing done. “  Then he sees Mania again.  “Who this be?  A rebel?  A friend?  Something more?”“Uncle- this is Mania.  He is a hero from the recent Gith attacks on the city.  Say hello to my Uncle.”“Hello.  Nice place you got here.”  Mania holds out his hand.  Staring hard at his eyes, Uncle Grind takes his hand and shakes it squeezing it hard.  Mania returns the grip.“Strong boy,” Uncle Grind replies, “What are doing with the girl?”“We are leaving the city sir.”  Mania replies.  Cosa is trying to get his attention as he says this.  She squints her eyes shut very tight as he says this.“Leaving?  Planning on using our tunnels girl?  You know only the priests know about them.  How did you learn?”  He gives her a stern look and turns away.  After a few steps he turns around again.  “Always were a snoop and found things you were not meant to know or have.  Tell anyone?“No uncle.  You know me better than that.”    “You bet I do.  After my no good brother deserted your mother an’ you.  I been bringing you up as best as I could.  Then your mom passed away giving birth to your ½ sister Brucia.  It’s a shame what happened to her too.”  Uncle Grind seems to wander off mentally but snaps out of it with a loud cracking sound.“Intruders!”</blockquote>

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