Curious indeed the complex emotions of a woman. They perceive deeper meanings and more subtle ideas, but can be overwhelmed, manipulated and abused. Sometimes by nothing other than their own thoughts. Yuko was just about to discover the consequence of choice, a challenge of paranoia and the roots of mistrust.
Yuko had been awoken by the commotion inside the camp. But she found something added to her tent instead of stolen; a solitary crimson rose. Her curiosity was captured immediately. Any other women might have assumed it was a token of some bold admirer. But Yuko gleaned a special meaning from this object. She confirmed this when she discovered that the living stem had been hollowed out to conceal a message for her. A clandestine meeting outside of camp that evening.
Yuko found Vengarl and showed the old soldier the gift. He was wary, but relented to accompany her to the meeting, concealing himself within arm's reach so as to strike any fool who tried to harm her. Once darkness had fallen, Yuko left the camp. She had learned from her previous mistake and had cast upon herself a basic spell to protect her from harm. It might have been more effective if Telmage had not distracted her. She was beginning to mistrust him. I did find some amusement in the perception of Telmage. Had he truly changed? Or was the change merely in Yuko? It's hard to look a man in the face who did try and kill you after all. Telmage was a savvy man socially, and had picked up on the change, but was also proud enough not to run headlong into a problem before it had fully matured into a problem.
With Vengarl glowering from behind a clump of tall grass, Yuko walked out of camp towards a cop of dense trees. The faint outline of a man appeared like a demon; his dark features illuminated in the red glow of his cigar. Yuko was instantly infatuated. Not because the man was attractive. He was in fact, a handsome fellow. More akin to those of the Southern Alliance, with their dark olive skin and black hair, he was heavily tanned, muscular and arrogant as a hyena. Yuko, like most women, had created something about this man that was completely fantastical and had focused on this.
The man's name was Miguel Escribano. He was a member of the Legion, working on behalf of some "friends" of Yuko. These benefactors wanted to remain anonymous.
I realize that many might not know much about the Legion outside of a few grotesque stories and sordid rumors. Fortunately, most of them are true. But they are rarely fair in their representation. The Legion of the Crimson Rose, or the Legion as it is more commonly referred, is a private order and is seen more as a mercenary group. They seek dangerous adventure, have a unshakable fidelity to their brothers in the legion and will die rather than surrender. They have been known to resort to savagery in conflict, making them formidable to everyone they encounter. Anyone can join the legion without question. They are known to frequent gin houses and bars, taking new members on the spot. But life as a legionnaire is a challenge. There is a begrudging respect for any man who proudly identifies as a Legionnaire. To deny him is to challenge him, and that might result in you losing your tongue.
Miguel held himself with confidence any man, woman or child would have found attractive. He assured Yuko he'd be close by if the need arose. She could reach him by placing a note in her own mailbox sealed with the ring of the order. He gave her just such a ring. They then parted, each walking in the dark to their own camp. Vengarl was of course unimpressed. But they both agreed that trust should be given sparingly. Upon their return, Yuko discovered that half the group had gone in search of Lindion who had been spirited away by Griffons.
Ghouls!
The party had rejoined their efforts as they descended down the ancient halls of stone, picking their way over old traps, bones and remains of a bitter battle. Winding further down the old halls, the reached a long hall which intersected with a stairway. Lindion heard her friends and hailed them. After an abrupt reconnection, as Lindion was currently under the influence of Tryloxal. That is why, when the heart-stopping, bone chilling scream crashed down upon their ears, Lindion fled, leading the majority deeper into the old castle.
Father Collins remained in the hallway. His ancient knowledge of the darker things of this world served him well. Once the hideous creature crawled its way into view, his fears were confirmed. Cutting off their escape was a Ghoul. Whispering a few words, he successfully cast Ectoplasmic Bond and secured the creature long enough to retreat towards his friends. He and Mayflower barricaded the door into the next chamber as best they could. Father Collins tried to blast the stones away so as to bury the path but was unsuccessful.
They found more traps, spikes and detritus of traps that had been successfully activated a long time ago. They found some small trinkets and oddities which would be worth something to the right collector. Lindion and Thomas had continued down to the next door and triggered a trap; a rope secured to a stake which held the door shut just enough. Once the stake was loosened, the roped would release and drop a large stone down on the head of the trespasser. Lindion pushed on and made directly for the next door. Something else screamed, the voice amplified by the stones and nearly scared Lindion senseless. Cackling, the thing retreated.
The rest of the group joined Thomas and Lindion now. Lindion tried to convince Mayflower to strike her, but Mayflower refused. The others also unsure of the purpose of this extreme measure watched as Lindion tried to get control of herself. She failed. And so, she charged through the next door, right into a pool of sticky, blacky ichor covering the floor. Retreating, she tried one of the other doors and found some old weapons and decaying armor.
Thomas, having examined the sticky substance, set it ablaze, thus removing the obstacle. The group passed through this next door, finding more wicked traps and obstacles. Lindion charged forward, despite Mayflower's cautions. He grabbed her arm to stop her from getting herself killed. She tries to strike him, but the man was stronger. The group decides to tie Lindion up before she injures herself with the reckless behavior. While sitting here, Lindion managed to gain control of her own mind. She collapses, barely saved from a nasty fall by Arthur who was at her side.
The rest of the group discovered the gem of this place. Cut into the stone in intricate, highly detailed relief carvings was a dramatic scene of the old world. A great battle fought long ago between the demons and mankind. Once Lindion had regained her senses, she began taking notes of this great scene. Inscribed along the top of this magnificent wall was the words, "Fort Bonaventura". Father Collins and others also noticed the empty eye holes of the Empress, as well as some strange eyes of a demon casting his gaze towards a particular stone. They realized this stone could be rotated.
A scream echoed far above their heads...
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