Chapter 78: Strange Encounter, Separate.
Bast heard Xiara's last comment, but apart from eyeing her strangely for a brief moment she had no reaction.
Instead she began gathering the information they had come here for. She listened intently hoping to pick up snippets of conversation or fortune hunters, Bast knew they likely weren't the only ones interested in the catacombs. Powerful adventurers from many different and mysterious realms were likely already present, as such, Bast was on high alert as she paid attention to her surroundings.
Xiara was visibly upset, but she was likewise paying attention to the current state of affairs inside the town.
As they made their way through the crowded streets of Ardarian Village they came upon a large crowd surrounding a huge statue at the center of town.
Moving closer, they could hear the sounds of a man speaking incoherently as he stood behind one of the statues legs. The statue depicted a woman, and Bast could not help but marvel at the skill of the craftsman who had carved it. He had managed to seemingly capture the life and beauty of the woman, who, wielding twin daggers, had adopted a low, crouching stance. The hilts were held in a reverse grip and the muscles of her forearms were taut with tension, as if she would explode into action at any moment. The man behind her leg seemed to be in a standoff with the town guards, and several well-to-do looking women stood behind them exuding a superior air. One woman stepped forward pinching her nose as she did so. "Honestly, it has been long enough!" she said importantly, the sound of the woman's voice resembled that of a serpent rather than one belonging to a member of the human race.
"My lady, please rest assured this matter will be handled within the hour." One of the guards turned around to face her inclining his head towards the ground as he did so.
"Very well, Captain," said the lady in response to his respectful gesture. "see that it is." and with a look of disdain in the incoherent man's direction, she turned and pointed her nose in the air and stormed away.
The Captain of Guards sighed as he watched her slowly retreating figure. Turning his gaze back to the man who looked like a trapped rat as his wide eyes darted rapidly from face to face. The Captain fixed him with a sympathetic look and approached slowly, "Tom?" he called out to the man, the man named Tom twisted his neck with shocking speed in the direction of the Captain's voice causing the Captain to wince slightly, "Tom? It's Howard, Remember me? Howard? We had lunch yesterday." He spoke slowly and clearly as he approached Tom. "Hower...?" asked Tom slowly, Howard nodded excitedly, "That's right, you do remember me! What do you say we have lunch again today?" Howard spoke with a smile, a few of his men made disgruntled sounds but were silenced with a sharp look. Just then, Tom's belly growled loudly. "I...lunch," Tom nodded quickly, as he began to sidle from behind the statues leg. A few of the more excitable guards had their faces light up at this scene and quickly rushed to apprehend them. "STOP!" Howard shouted at them, and almost at the same time a powerful aura was released, whipping the wind into a frenzy. His men were blown back several steps as Howard quickly moved to Tom's side. "Return to the barracks," he said icily, "Vicari, Owens- mess duty," He snarled at the two who had ran forward, their expressions turned cold, "We are Nobles!" Vicari protested, "You can't-" Howard rounded on him with astounding speed and in an instant his nose was pressed against his. "Do you know my surname?" he asked coldly, Vicari nodded, "Sir, it's Ior-"
"Iorwerth," Howard cut in with a savage snarl, "Descendant of one of the 9 Paragons, DO NOT,! SPEAK TO ME OF NOBILITY!" and his roar stirred up a fierce gale that blew the man away causing him to struggle to hold his balance as his feet attempted to regain contact with the ground.
Bast watched these events unfold with a shocked expression, "Descendant of a Paragon?" she whispered slightly awed. The man definitely had the qualifications to make such a claim, she had only felt such a terrifying aura exude from a single person from Ra and his father. Silently lamenting her own weakness, she resolved to work harder at increasing her own strength.
Steeling herself, Bast pulled Xiara along as she marched towards the man with his frightening aura and the trembling figure at his side.
"Captain?" Basts' voice was like flowing water, seeming to smoothe the ragged lines in the Captain's face as he turned in the direction of the sound.
He glanced between the two stunning beauties currently standing before him.
Captain Iorwerth was all business, adopting a rigid posture, "Civilians," he responded cordially, "How may I be of assistance." Bast was slightly taken aback by the sudden change in his demeanor, but she responded evenly, "We were wondering about the catacombs they say appeared here, I was wondering if you might tell us where we could find it." Bast spoke honestly, Captain Iorwerth's expression softened and he looked at the two of them with a worried gaze, "That place...it is extremely dangerous, are you sure you've thought this through?" he asked with a concerned tone. Xiara and Bast nodded resolutely, Captain Iorwerth could only sigh in response, "It's not like I can stop you, the place is open to all, its location is a bit odd, theres a small graveyard in the north-west corner of town, if you follow this street, past the inn, you'll find it, no need to worry about its owners, there are no surviving members of that family. Inside the mausoleum is a trick step that opens a side passage that descends into the catacombs." Captain Iorwerth finished wearily, "Are you sure there is nothing I can say to dissuade you from doing this?" Captain Iorwerth revealed his concern once again.
Bast shook her head, "Captain, thank you, but there is no need to worry about our safety. We are in very capable hands." She said confidently, "Mn!" Xiara agreed and her expression became listless as her thoughts wandered. Bast rolles her eyes and pinched her arm, being rewarded with a loud shriek of pain for her efforts. "Thanks again, Captain," said Bast, he nodded at her, and Bast turned down the street he had indicated.
"Can you keep up?" Bast snapped at Xiara, she was becoming increasing irritated with Xiara, who had been dragging her feet for the last 10 minutes, the town was huge but for several reasons they avoided using movement type magic, instead choosing to walk, it was an immensely irksome slow pace. Although it was necessary, Bast did not like it and Xiara chatting with every male with enough courage to approach her did not help matters.
Xiara also seemed to have had enough, as she snapped back to retort, "I'm here collecting information same as you!" she snarled, "if you don't like my methods you can ask me if I care!" The two women glared at eachother and Xiara's fan club were shooting Bast nasty looks. "Let's not fight," she sighed, choosing to back down, "split up, cover more ground, meet back here in 4 hours."
"Fine," was all Xiara said before she stepped into the circle of males and allowed herself to be whisked away.
Bast shook her head, disappointment reflected in her eyes.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone