Chapter 52: New companions and enemies (2/2)

“A taleen armory...the gear in there is certainly worth a fortune to both collectors and adventurers. Your gear is from there as well?” Inström asked.

She handed him the dagger. “Ye, my previous gear got fucked by some of the traps. The dwarves liked fire apparently.” she said while Inström looked at the dagger and then handed it to Jasper.

“High quality gear hmm….and you said there were hundreds of weapons and armors?” Jasper asked. Some of the adventurers listening in gasped at that and more and more joined them near the table.

“Yes, you’ll need people who can fly though to get down there.” she said. The scout had seen her wings already so it wasn’t worth trying to cover that up anymore.

“We have plenty for that. Depending on the walls we could build stairs as well. Getting all that safely out of the dungeon is gonna be annoying though. Bjorn will have to organize that though.” Jasper said while thoughtfully touching his beard. “Can you go into details on the traps?” he asked and Ilea provided.

“We’ll be able to deal with that then, gonna take a while though. I’ll start sending some people then. Agor please go with them and confirm her information. Be careful.” the man just walked away from the table upon Jasper’s request while gesturing to some others that followed him immediately.

“I’ll get some food then.” Ilea said and walked to the cooks. Nobody stopped her. “Can I get like six plates. Whatever you have.” the cook looked at her a bit perplexed before looking towards the table. Jasper nodded towards him and he hurriedly got to work. Ilea walked to another table and got a chair there before moving back to Jasper and sitting down.

A lot of the adventurers were watching her. “What?” she asked as she removed her helmet and placed it on the ground.

The first plate arrived then and she started eating. “What do you wanna know next? I went into two more doors before.”

Jasper walked away to get a chair as well and joined her soon after. Most of the adventurers were still standing nearby, looking at the scene as if it were an interesting documentary. Ilea certainly looked less threatening with her black hair and blue eyes out instead of the greenish horned full plate helmet.

“The door there then.” Jasper said and pointed towards the first door to the right, where the treasury had been.

‘Well maybe it somehow survived the acid...not like there’s anything left to get though.’ she thought and started explaining the trap rooms and their intricacies. “Sadly in the hall beyond were a full six centurions.” she said. ‘Should I ask to help them clear the centurions out? Doesn’t seem wise to show all my cards and I don’t feel like they’ll advance into there any time soon.’ she though.

“Six of them you say...that might be a problem. We’ll see though. What do you want for that piece of information?” he asked her.

“Your mages, same as with the lightning guy, an hour or so each? And I want to have two potions, I assume that guy over there is an Alchemist or something?” she asked.

“An hour from all of them is too much time lost, I give you an hour with five of them...the rest you can freely ask or pay if you feel like it. Two potions in addition to that is fine. Nothing special though...not that he makes anything special.” Jasper answered.

“The third door then.” he said.

“That one was cleared by the people I’m following...at least I assume. Traps are destroyed and there’s a massive dead monster in one of the rooms.” she mapped out the place and finished with the teleportation room.

“This info I give you for two things.” she said and held up two fingers “A favor from you and...the second thing I’ll explain after you followed me inside there.” she motioned to the door they had just talked about.

“You want me to follow you in there alone? I’m rather confident in myself but don’t think I trust you this far. The favor you get, albeit a small one.” Jasper answered.

“You take that spiky guy with you then, how does that sound?” she asked to which he nodded. Ilea smiled at the man and continued eating, reaching her fourth plate.

Jeremy looked on as the woman stuffed herself with the sixth plate already. She apparently had been here for a while and had provided information to the expedition in exchange for some things, one of them weirdly being food. Agor had returned a while ago and was discussing with Jasper and Mr. Inström. The information the healer had provided seemed to be quite accurate in nature.

“You wanna talk to her?” Rin asked from the side. The two had started talking more and more, both of them seemingly didn’t know a lot of people down there and didn’t mind each other’s company.

“Kinda. The three seemed to have gotten what they wanted but I’m sure she has more...” he said and looked the woman over.

“Yea, mr obvious over here. We don’t care though, we’re here for the artifacts and everyone has their own motives. Hers don’t really matter as long as she doesn’t fall in our backs which would be a ridiculously stupid decision.”

“Oh I know that, although I’m sure she could wreak some havoc...” he said and started walking towards the healer.

“What are you….” Rin said and started following after sighing.

“Mind if I join you...Lilith right?” Jeremy said and motioned to the chair Jasper had so nicely left behind. Lilith shrugged while finishing her last plate of food. “I’m Jeremy. So you’ve been here alone for a while?”

“Yea, are you looking to trade information as well or what do I owe the honor Mr. Jeremy?” Lilith asked, having finished her meal she looked at the man with her blue piercing eyes. “Where is that new backpack?” the woman asked absentmindedly after she had stopped the eye contact.

“Maybe, I’m not sure what I could offer you though. Are you looking for a replacement backpack for the one we burned up?” he asked while looking at the pack that was placed behind the woman.

“I’m supposed to get one, yes...ah there you go.” she said as she received a new pack from one of the workers that was brought along the adventure. “Thank you, it looks beautiful.” she said and looked the backpack over before moving her things from one pack to the other. Jeremy didn’t make out anything interesting between the food and canteen that she moved.

‘Does she not map out the dungeon? Maybe she has a skill for that...or maybe...’ he thought and looked for any jewelery she might be wearing but he couldn’t make out anything. Even if, it didn’t mean she had a device with a storage enchantment. Someone alone in a dungeon that could withstand the combined attack of ten adventurers her level might just be the one person to have one though.

“So I’m a bit of a history fanatic Miss Lilith and I’d be quite happy to somehow get any historical knowledge, documents or artifacts that you might or might not have found in this dungeon. There is little known about the Taleen and I’m pretty sure it’s been a while since someone even discovered a great hall.” he said.

“Just Lilith is fine really. I might have one or the other thing for you then. Can you read their runes?” she asked him and looked at the man. Rin had started leaning on the table in the meantime but hadn’t engaged in their conversation yet.

“I’ve dabbled in them but can’t say I understand more than the very basics. It’s not like we have a lot of writing remaining other than the runes you see on the walls here and there. Although I’m sure some people have more, the college of magic however does not. Why do you ask?” he asked but she only nodded thoughtfully.

“So you teach at the college in Dawntree?” Lilith said suddenly to which he nodded. “Interesting, I’ll come back to you about your inquiry then Jeremy. Nice to make your acquaintance.” she said and got up to join Jasper and Agor who were walking back to her.

“I feel like she’s got something juicy Rin...” Jeremy said after Lilith had left.