Hazardous Ruins (Whitebrand and Vairocana)

[Whitebrand]

The Valarian Ruins had once been the site of a great elven trading post, back when the elven borders had been larger and humanity had not yet started making itself obnoxious. The upper remains of the post had long ago been ravaged by time and treasure seekers, but the underground chambers had been unable to be penetrated until very recently. The reason for the opening of the subterranean levels was unknown, but word had spread fast. Soon adventurers and plunderers of all sorts would be swarming over the area and snatching up everything even remotely valuable.

So it was fortunate that a certain young woman had been able to get there first...

[Vairocana]

Vairocana giggles to herself. It only took a wink, a squeeze of her large breasts, and bounce of her hip to get this information well before the others will get it. She would naturally thank whoever it was that opened up those lower levels, but perhaps after she has left with all she can carry. She ties her horse to a tree, shakes loose her long jet black hair, and glances to the ruins. Ensuring her pack is not willing to bust her shirt, she heads forward.

Ah, the history that lay here. Old elven history. Though she is rarely knowledgeable of those things, to just know it was old and Elven makes her tremble with excitement. Mother will have to let her live her life as she wants when she returns with all the riches that lay under here. Poor Father, he will be unable to hear her daughter's stories. Considering some dragon had him for lunch a few years ago. It is a little sad about that. After all, she can't repay her father for all of his stories of ruins, demons, dragon, and all sorts of creatures and adventure parties. Still, she'll have to repay him all the same. Her deeds will have to suffice. And no silly lordling will stop her.

She stops her approach and sighs, heavily. It would help the lordlings some if they were handsome or strong instead of vain and squeamish to the stories she could re-tell. They could at least pretend to like to hear her voice. Somewhat lilting in her happiest tones as it is. Anyway. Underground Chambers! Here I come! She strides forward heading for the opening.

[Whitebrand]

The first level of the ruin was very simple, a couple of twisting halls with a few storerooms attached. The contents had been removed long ago, perhaps when the post had been abandoned. But there was still plenty of hope for the lower levels. It took only a couple of minutes to find the staircase down...in elven style it had been decorated with carvings of trees and elven runes along its length as it traveled downward, coming to a halt at a metal portal...that showed signs of having recently been opened. She could see the fresh marks in the dust on the floor.

No sooner had she made this observation than the possible opener of the portal appeared, rounding a bend and nearly colliding with her. The first impression of his was big. He was very tall with broad shoulders and a powerful build. He wore a simple shirt that had dirt stains on the wrists and sleeves, and wore a fine green-and-blue-green kilt around his waist. On his big feet were heavy leather boots that had seen plenty of walking. His long, red-brown hair was tied behind his head in a tail that extended to his shoulder blades. On his shoulders was a backpack that looked relatively new. He was young, at most slightly older than Vairocana, with a handsome, open face that instantly betrayed his surprise at the sight of her.

"I'm terribly sor..." he started to say, a charming slight brogue in his voice. Then he got a good look at her and his face went red. She could see his eyes look down to her shapely legs, hover briefly over her fine hips, travel up her slender waist, widen as they got to her shirt-straining breasts, then reluctantly continue up to stare at her lovely face. And then go right back to her chest again. She could practically see his brain blow a fuse as he stared at her.

He showed all the signs of being as easy mark. His being easy on the eyes was a nice bonus.

[Vairocana]

Vairocana is frozen for a moment. Another person is here! He's looking at her! Like. Looking! She notes his eyes, his features. Heck as his eyes finds hers for that brief moment she finds herself blushing. Still, a frown amid the redness as his eyes goes to her breasts. Almost a sin at their size, a tragic thing they take attention away from her! Tragic!

"H-hi," she says shyly, though she gentle squeezes her breasts with her arms, granting him more of her cleavage. The buttons up there would whimper if they could. He is handsome by far. Out here? A bonus. Perhaps he wouldn't mind her. Or her company. Considering that expression on his lovely face he might not. Still red-faced she bows her head at him for a moment. "Are you here to explore the lower levels, as well?"

Her heart is pounding quickly in her chest she realizes. At least he is not one of the boorish rich sons from the city.

[Whitebrand]

"Um...yeah," he said in a slightly dazed voice as he struggled to tear his eyes from her cleavage. He finally won his battle and managed to look her in the face. "I...uh...live near here and heard...you know, I thought...I might find..." He swallowed.

He straightened and took a breath.

"Let me start again," he said. "I'm called Brand. Yeah...I've gotten down into the third level so far. There were a few...uh...traps...but I got past them. And there's stuff down there. A lot of it. More than I could carry, to tell the truth. Want to...come see?" The last question was asked in the same tone a shy teenager might use when asking a girl out for the first time.

Thank all the gods she hadn't run into some of those ruthless mercenary types.

[Vairocana]

He is cute. Vairocana smiles gently at him as he returns to her eyes. And he has such nice innocent seeming eyes. Where has this one been? Gently brushes a strand of her hair she gives him all of her attention. At the mention of traps her eyes widen with excitement, and more so that he has gotten past them too. Then he mentions all of the stuff down there. A lot of stuff by the sound of things. Too much for just one person. How could she deny him?

He is just so cute.

"Hi, I'm Vairocana and I would love to come and see what is there. With you." He is likely not to charge her. Or have any such designs as to give her only a fraction of the 'loot'. She shivers in anticipation. In daddy's stories there is always some ruthless men seeking to take advantage of others. Come to think of it, usually he was the one saving young women from them. She sighs gently aware that she is no damsel in distress, though that would have been cool to be a part of. Especially if Brand would be the one to rescue her. She'll have to make do with reality.

"Lead the way, Brand."

[Whitebrand]

Brand nodded with a smile and turned to lead the way back into the depths of the underground ruins. She seemed like such a nice girl...utterly without guile, it seemed. Well, he'd soon find out the truth one way or the other...

The second floor was considerably more labyrinthine, its main hall turning several times with rooms all along its length. Each of the doors were open, probably by Brand himself, letting the girl glimpse the contents. There were crates and trunks piled up in most of them, while a few stood empty. The trunks and crates all looked very old. Some were clearly marked by elvish runes, while others looked more generic. The tunnel was lit by glowing stones that flared brighter than torches, lighting up as the pair approached and dimming a minute or two after they passed.

"A lot of the stuff on this level looks like supplies for the day to day running of the post," Brand said as he walked. "But the real treasures...that stuff is down below. That's really what you're after isn't it?"

[Vairocana]

Vairocana follows him full of excitement and adventure. She takes care to note the various eleven objects around. While she is horribly uninformed about it all, she attempts to see the worth they may have. She even lingers a few times upon the not as fancy items. Supplies. Still she wants to see treasure and assumed there would be some so far. Alas not a single one. Though assuredly the various crates and runes might fetch a copper or two, maybe to historians? The fact that second floor was set in this way makes her wonder what it was they meant for this floor, certain not only for supplies and day to day operations? Maybe it doubled as a last line of defense? So many questions, but she was really here for the fancy things that shine and gleams. Gems, gold, maybe even jewelry. Would be even sweeter if there was an elvish blade. Daddy always said elvish swords were the best.

She slows as Brand speaks then her face brightens and she nods. "Yes, that's right. That is what I came for after all. Things that will make my life comfortable and get mother off my back." She nods happily, hopefully and moves to get closer to him. "How far down does it go? Do you know?"

[Whitebrand]

"Well," he said. "This is only a medium sized post so I'd say that there are probably four levels. The bottom one is most likely the water supply, so the third level is where all the good stuff is."

He glanced back at Vairocana for a moment.

"Or so I've heard," he added quickly as they approached the stairs leading down to the third level. At the foot of the stairs was another metal portal that had been recently opened. Brand hesitated a moment, taking a breath before flashing a smile at the girl.

"Here we go," he said.

[Vairocana]

Four levels. And one that is likely the water supply. So one truly left to look through. And likely the one with all the good and fun things. Oh let there be diamonds. Vairocana imagines large piles, treasures gathered from a people who had no need to use it but to admire it. Or so she believes of the elves and their beautiful constructions and designs.

Vairocana follows him easily, finding him more and more comfortable to be around. Of course, perhaps she has always been one to gravitate to another. And Brand has been the most pleasant young man. As the descend the stairs she returns his smile with one of her own. His look of confidence bolstering hers. She softly bounces on her feet as she follows, her excitement grows, her imagination running wild. She can't wait to show mother her prizes, prizes she has yet to claim. She can't wait to hear her say, 'Oh Vairocana, you need no longer to entertain those lordlings. Find a nice man, instead, to enjoy your newly rich life.' She giggles to herself at the thought.

[Whitebrand]

Brand pushed open the portal with a mighty heave, his muscles in his arms and back flexing magnificently as the metal door slid aside. He put his hands on his hips with a satisfied nod. A moment later he stepped inside.

The third level was one large chamber that was disappointingly virtually empty. Their footsteps echoed as Brand led the way towards the only objects in the cavernous room...a small group of sheet-covered crates.

Brand headed straight for them, taking long, fast strides towards them.

"Untouched," he muttered. "Incredible."

He took hold of the sheet and pulled it free. Standing revealed were six large crates and one lovely wooden wardrobe: Brand ran a hand over the finely carved wardrobe, his fingers tracing the fine carving. He nodded as he examined the crates, checking the seals on them.

Where were the gems? The jewels? The treasure?

[Vairocana]

Vairocana admires his form as he opens the door and subtly fans herself as he does. Still, she joins him on the third floor. She looks around. And around. And... around? A frown touches her features, disappointment crushing a short-lived dream. Smoothing back strands of wayward jet black hair she turns her gaze to the only things in the room. Covered items. Well. Something is better than nothing.

She supposes this must be the way of things. Otherwise, her family would be rich too. Daddy went to many ruins and into many caves. A few hives? She approaches Brand, a little curious of the crates and the wardrobe. She tilts her head as she watches Brand tend to the objects. In fact he had gone straight for them. Not like she who had hoped the shadows of the large chamber might have held something. Anything.

She tries not to let her disappointment echo in her voice. "A lovely wardrobe." And it was. What with the exquisite carving and wood. And as he muttered. Seemingly untouched.

Truth be told as she thinks back, these items might be the things and he certainly couldn't carry them all by himself. Did she notice his own horse, wagon, or transport? She shakes her head and glances at him. He seemed pleased with these. Maybe there is value in them?

[Whitebrand]

"And what is in it is even better," Brand said.

He opened the wardrobe and revealed more than a dozen dresses, all of them made of fine fabrics, and all of them scandalously skimpy. He picked one out and held it up to Vairocana. The dress looked like it was made almost entirely out of sheer cloth.

"I'll have to let it out a bit in the chest for you," he said. "But otherwise it's fine. The color goes with your eyes."

Wait. What?

Suddenly Brand looked back at the entrance to the room, his eyes narrowed.

"Hide," he said.

[Vairocana]

Vairocana blinks and glances inside. She is interested. She has never likely felt such cloth before. He is quick though and as he brings one such item before her. She blushes furiously. So much of her would be teasingly available to anyone watching her. She bites her lip as he compliments her, her eyes, and it going with it. She isn't sure, but... perhaps he wants her to dress in it? What did he mean he'd have to adjust it? Well. Nothing is more alarming than his sudden change of interest.

Invaders? Other hunters? "Hide?" Not willing to cause him trouble she quickly races to a support pillar away from the door and boxes and presses herself against it. She hopes it will hide her good enough. If there are others coming, it will be the boxes they will obviously be interested in. She closes her eyes and wills her heart and breath to slow. She can't be a liability to Brand.

[Whitebrand]

Brand watched her as she ducked out of sight.

"Whatever you do," he said. "Don't look."

He strode towards the entrance to the room, stepping out of sight. Seconds later she heard voices. They were speaking in elven and their tone was loud and angry. The loudest was distinctly female. She heard Brand reply, also in very fluent elvish, his own voice low and warning.

He had been unarmed, unless he had a knife or something concealed somewhere. Yet here he was, facing unknown intruders all by himself.

The elven voices became heated, the female voice in particular. Brand's voice became like ice as he replied.

[Vairocana]

Vairocana listens intently. Fearfully at that. Angry elves? But they abandoned the area. Why would they care now. Especially after it had been raided once. Had she understood wrong? Still, she notes the voices. Angry. Elven. Brand was helpless if they were to use their fancy blades. Ah. An elvish blade.

She does, however; as she is told. Whatever Brand was up to, she would not risk harm it. He seemed able to talk with them. It's too bad she didn't know a lick of elvish. She wonders if daddy had.

His tone gets colder and she resists glancing back. She wants to go to his aid. Would it be cowardly to let him face these elves alone? She wasn't a good fighter, and no blade adorns her own hip. In a way, she was really counting on weapons to be among the treasures. Vairocana finds herself holding her breath, her hands over her lips too afraid that she might upset something.

Brand, she silently thinks, be safe. Besides. She wasn't sure she'd survive that icy tone he is using on the intruders.

[Whitebrand]

Something went bad. The female shouted and Vairocana could hear the sound of weapons being drawn. A second later, however, the elven voices were raised...in fear. A scuffle if some sort broke out and she could hear more yelling. Suddenly the female voice screamed in what sounded like mortal terror. Her scream lasted a full two seconds before it was abruptly cut off. More yelling, none of it by Brand. There were metallic clatters and clangs followed by rapidly retreating footsteps.

Silence. No, not entirely silent. There was an odd swallowing sound that could easily be her imagination. Finally heavy footsteps sounded in the room, getting closer to Vairocana's hiding spot. Finally Brand appeared, peering around the column and looking at the girl.

"They're gone," he said. "You're safe."

When she looked she saw that there were three unsheathed elven swords resting on the ground near the entrance, presumably where the scuffle had been. There was not the slightest scratch on Brand.

[Vairocana]

Vairocana trembles behind her pillar, the shouting just seems to get worse. Then the sounds. The strange and unusual sounds. Perhaps her imagination, it couldn't be anything but. She did have a wild one at times, she admits to herself. She closes her eyes and waits. And waits. The strange not quite silence just feeds her confusion and fear.

Then heavy footfalls come and she closes her eyes and holds her breath. What had been going on? What happened?! His voice causes her to jump slightly, but soon a look of relief touches her face. Safe. Trembling slightly she steps from her hiding place and glances back to the doors. Well. There are now Elvish blades.

Vairocana looks to Brand. "Wh-what were they so unhappy about? Though considering they are gone, I suppose it wasn't that important to them."

[Whitebrand]

"An old disagreement," Brand said cryptically. "Over ownership and who wronged whom. It's over now, though."

He sighed.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be reclaiming what is mine. It will take a few moments, then we can leave. We'll want to be gone from here when they return."

He walked over to the wardrobe and its accompanying crates. He bent and began tracing patterns on to the floor with his fingers, a pattern that he gradually circled around the pile of...whatever they were. The patterns he traced on the floor glowed magically as he worked, gradually lighting the chamber more and more.

"You might want to collect those weapons," Brand added as he worked. "At least one of them was owned by someone of rank. They are likely rather valuable."

[Vairocana]

"Ah," she says gently. Vairocana watches him make his marks and finds herself admiring this aspect. He knows magic and runes. Of course he does, she chides herself how else would he come down here. Shaking her head she goes to the blades swiftly. No telling how swiftly his magic will work. She crouches down by the blades and looks them over. Finding, of course, the fanciest of the trio shouldn't be hard. It takes a moment or two of find it, and though she notes no sheathes for them she picks them all up. Happy to know one of them will give her a headstart on her own little fortune. Tragic that there are no sheathes.

She approaches Brand and glances to his work. It occurs to her that he called it reclaiming. Not claiming. Though perhaps he meant it in a more recent kind of way. Still. He did know of the clothes and had chosen one to adorn her in. Strange to think he'd be that forward. Should she question such a thing? She shakes her head. Her imagination is getting to her. Stories best suited for maidens in their gardens.