An Unlikely Alliance (Closed for CoSurvivor)

[CoSurvivor]

Holding her to him, Chance whispered, "I would....I would run away with you, far away, to somewhere else that our names and our past didn't matter. Find a home, build a home in the trees and never think about what's down here.. If it meant we'd never have to come back here and deal with this, if it meant that someone else could take our place and figure this out... I'd do it in a heartbeat."

Wiping her tears away, Chance kissed her held her.. and had to be the rock that wouldn't budge...

"But we both know that can't happen, because nobody else knows what's going on down here but us, nobody else cares, and nobody else can do what needs to be done down here, "

Chance wanted to ask if her visions always came true, if they were always 100% accurate all the time.. but he needed to defuse the situation and calm her down. There were some questions best left unasked, or at least asked at a better time.

"Besides. we'd only be running for a while, then there'd be no place to hide. and you my love.. are not one to run from anything..."

Chance touched her nose with his finger, giving her a genuine smile, then kissed her and held tight. Turning on to his back, Chance brought Ana with him, curling her into him..

"I can't tell you 'not' to think about it, that's not fair to you, Alll i can do is tell you I'll do everything I can to try and avoid our two people from coming to blows. but we'll need to get a move on after some rest... we'll be no good to anyone if we aren't rested..."

Something told him there was more to this battlefield she keeps seeing.. Did it involve him? and would Ana be honest and tell him if the tears she was shedding were for him? Chance didn't want to know.. if he did, it may effect his own actions.. and it was best for both of them, that he not know.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

"Besides. we'd only be running for a while, then there'd be no place to hide. and you my love.. are not one to run from anything..."

Ana listened to Chance's words, knowing that he was right. No one else was coming. The two of them were the only hope this world had of stopping the dark force that she had seen in her visions. If they did not try to stop it now, even if they ran, eventually it would catch up with them, and then what would become of both of their peoples? Whether their kingdoms knew it or not, everyone was counting on them now. They could not allow themselves to run... no matter how tempting it was.

In her mind she knew all of this already, but as he smiled at her and pulled her into his arms while the images of her vision ran through her mind, it was hard to get her heart to agree.

"I can't tell you 'not' to think about it, that's not fair to you, Alll i can do is tell you I'll do everything I can to try and avoid our two people from coming to blows. but we'll need to get a move on after some rest... we'll be no good to anyone if we aren't rested..."

This at least gave her a small bit of hope. She took in a deep breath, trying to steady herself as she held him tightly and nodded in agreement.

"Yes, we will find a way to stop it from happening..."

That had to be it. Surely this was the reason for the vision, to show her how important it was that they succeed. Together they would go down to the castle, find the cause of all of this, and stop the battle before it even began.

Forcing another long, slow breath to try and calm herself, she lifted her head up to look at him, her eyes gazing into his for a moment and pushing his hair back from his forehead. She wondered if she should tell him exactly what she had seen, but like him she sensed that maybe this would not be wise, not knowing how it might effect things if she did. Deciding it best to wait, at least for now, she lowered her lips to his for a soft and tender kiss.

"Thank you my love.."

 

[CoSurvivor]

Chance relaxed.. or well he relaxed as much as he knew how. sleeping underground was always unnerving, and even though their passionate sex had worn him out he was still almost afraid of really falling into a deep deep sleep. After Ana awakened him with her nightmare vision, he found it harder still to find a restful sleep. What did it though... was her heartbeat.. the steady thump of her heart against him, the wonderful feeling that he wasn't alone down here. That if they had their way, neither of them would ever be alone again.

A tiny thought of reality crept into his thoughts.. that the calling for Ana to be the queen of her people would override any such attempts or hopes for them to be together in public... They'd kill him before they'd allow Chance to touch her in daylight. No... that was for hopes.. the dream of being with her was a real one... and he kept that hope..

Falling asleep came easier, once he made that decision....

Sometime in the night as they lay upon the stone bed, when didn't seem to be as uncomfortable as one might think a massive piece of stone to be, they'd curled in together, his arms around Ana, her lithe form held in his arms his. The cool air, the warmth of Ana's body against had a real effect on him, while his growing manhood was comfortably wedged into her ass.. He stirred.. not wanting to move but realizing they were both completely naked.. and he cared not a little...

waking her up to a kiss on her cheek,, sweeping a few stray strands of hair away from her face Chance waited for Ana to open her eyes...

"I'd say good morning... but I'm not even sure what time it is..." he lightly chuckled.. then realized that well he was pressed into her.. and felt slightly sheepish about it.

knowing how hard he was, he began to draw away.. "sorry... just was very comfortable, hard not to be with you in my arms.."

He realized how goofy his comment was after he'd said it, and mouthed the word.. 'sorry....'

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Ana had laid her head down upon Chance's chest and tried her best to fall back asleep. She knew he was right in saying that they would both need their rest for what was ahead of them, but it was admittedly hard to let herself drift off again after the vision she'd had. Every time she closed her eyes her mind went back to the sight of the sword in his chest, the look in his eyes as he fell.

She did her best to force it from her mind; to focus instead on the sound of his breathing, the beat of his heart, the feel of his arms around her. He was with her now, and the vision she'd had was not necessarily certain. Together they would find a way to keep the battle from happening. She held on to this hope and gradually, as he curled her into him and held her tight, she was able to fall back asleep.

She awoke to the feel of his lips brushing her cheek and his body wrapped around hers, his fingers brushing over her hair.

"I'd say good morning... but I'm not even sure what time it is..."

She smiled softly, her eyes slowly opening and gazing up at his sleepily. Beginning to stir, she too realized how he was pressed into her. At his apology however her tired smile only grew, her hand reaching to reach back and grasp his thigh lightly, keeping him from pulling away.

"No, stay.." she said as she tilted her head to peer back at him, her eyes meeting his, "No need to apologize. Stay for a little longer... please?"

 

[CoSurvivor]

Chance gave Anna a slow nod and started to return back to his far more comfortable position. He didn't want to get up, didn't want to move away from her, especially when she was requesting that he stay.

The encouragement and the soft touch of her hand on his bare hip did provoke a response from him though, he stirred, stretched and if just by their position, he pressed himself harder into her.

"I won't leave you... I'm not going anywhere..."

Chance soothingly ran his top hand over her shoulder, then down the length of her arm to her hand weaving his fingers into hers. Taking her hand back and kissing the palm of her hand he slipped her hand between them, her hand down touching his lower abdomen. His free hand then traced her hip, skirting along the inside of her thigh...

Slowly Chance ran his hand further in the inside of her thigh, pulled his hips back just enough to bring his cock free. slowly he brought his hand in closer. to her warmth...

If Ana pushed back or pushed him off, Chance would respect that... but something told him she wanted him as close as he could be.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

"I won't leave you... I'm not going anywhere..."

How his words made her heart ache. She wanted so badly for it to always be this way, to always have him so near and never have him parted from her, but she knew just as well as he did that they would soon have to leave and face the darkness bellow, that their future together was uncertain.

His touch helped soothe her however, her fingers weaving with his as he took her hand and then splaying out upon his abdomen as he placed it there. She leaned back into him as his hand moved upon her thigh, breathing a soft sigh in response to his touch upon her as her own hand slipped lower in return.

There was no hesitation on her part. Her fingertips knew the path well by now. Inch by inch they felt their way until they found his stirring cock, sliding over its length and wrapping themselves around it when they did.

"Chance.. I know we need to be on our way, but..."

She tilted her head to look back at him, her violet eyes gazing up at him with a slightly pleading look.

 

[CoSurvivor]

"I know...."

Chance cupped her chin, running fingers along her jaw and moved back just a touch, he encouraged and helped Ana to turn and face him. Once he had her facing him he pulled her close, and took her left leg and pulled it over his hip.

From their position, Chance could feel the wetness of her pussy against the head of his cock, and he grasped her gently, and all but reached between them lining his fully erect cock to her pussy.

Pushing in, feeling Ana's warmth wrap around him again he groaned and kissed her hard.

Breaking the kiss, Chance whispered... "I'm in love with you Ana..."

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Ana had been grateful when Chance gently turned and positioned her body against his own within his hold, her leg wrapping around him as she faced him now, desperate to be as close to him as she was able. As he pushed into her she breathed in deeply, sighing and releasing a soft moan of satisfaction against his lips as he kissed her. It was then that he broke their kiss and she heard his whispered words to her.

"I'm in love with you Ana..."

The words somehow pierced her heart and made it soar at the same time. She was not supposed to love him... for so many reasons... but she did. She could not deny what she knew had already been true in her heart, even before she'd allowed her mind to actually admit to it now.

Her eyes opened to look at him, her right hand rested against his chest while her left reached up to trace its fingers over his jaw and to his cheek as her eyes met his.

"I'm in love with you too Chance."

 

[CoSurvivor]

Chance could feel himself warm and heat to her words... What he felt had been building between them was now solid as the stone they were laying on. Now, not only did he feel that they could beat this great evil that was facing them in the depths below, he 'knew' they could...

Holding Ana close, their loving making grew slowly, he turned her so she was on her back, and he lovingly looked down upon her. Each kiss taking on new meaning, new importance as they'd professed their love for each other.* Damn the world above and anyone who might think they be crazy. He knew in his bones he'd do anything to protect Ana. be it take the brunt of weapons, words or guilt.. he'd protect her. He would not fail her.

Looking upon Ana as they made love, his slow movements causing her chest to rise and fall, their time was precious...But he knew his mind would eventually give over the more primal needs that they both would give in to eventually... But as long as he could make this last, as slow and rhythmic as Chance could remain, he would...

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Between each of their loving kisses Ana's violet eyes turned upwards to gaze upon Chance as he kept his pace, slowly moving in and out of her wetness. She took him in, taking in his features and the look in his eyes as he looked upon her in return. Her hands slowly roamed over him as they moved together; feeling his arms, his chest, caressing his face... She wanted to cherish everything about this moment, about him, to take in every detail and commit it to memory.

"Chance..." she breathed as she brought her hand behind his neck and pulled him down to her for another kiss.

She moaned softly against his lips. The slowness of his movements was so delicious, but almost torturous now as she too tried to keep herself in check in order to make the moment last, a tremble running through her body as it shifted restlessly beneath him upon the stone bed.

 

[CoSurvivor]

Ana was so warm.... so inviting... her arms about him made him feel welcome and needed, desired and lusted for.. He could think of nothing else he wanted more than to stay right here. Each thrust into her, each kiss upon her lips expressed those feelings in an unwritten language, but surely one that Ana would understand.

His lips found hers one more time as his body cried out at him for release, and he held her close, his eyes expressed the desperate desire for Ana to orgasm before he did.. but he pleaded..

'Cum with me Ana...."

His thrusts became deeper, their rhythm faster then almost chaotic.. The instant he felt Ana orgasm.. would be the same moment for him too...

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

As Ana's eyes looked into Chance's, her lips parted with her labored breaths, she could only manage a nod in response to his plea for her to cum with him. She'd been trying to hold herself back to keep things slow and extend the moment with him, but when she saw the need for release in his eyes and heard the desperation in his tone she allowed herself to let go.

As his rhythm increased and his thrusts deepened she moved with him, her body arching upwards against his own as she gave herself over completely to their pleasure as it quickly grew within her until it was all consuming, then finally too much for her body to contain. It burst forth like a breaking dam from within her, her orgasm washing over her and making her whole body tremble as her eyes squeezed shut and she gripped him tightly.

 

[CoSurvivor]

Chance collapsed on top of Ana, his breathing slowly coming back to normal. he could feel her own climax hit her and wash over him, looking down at both of them they appeared to be a bit of a mess, but it didn't matter at the moment, He caressed and kissed Ana, each kiss just as slow and meaningful as the last one. Only, he'd lost count of how many times he'd kissed her after the second one..

They could stay here for days, exploring the history and gaining whatever knowledge he could from these old abandoned halls, but they'd just be distracting themselves from the reality that there was a menace at the bottom of the world, a great unknown that had been terrorizing Ana's dreams, and causing an unknown number of deaths else where. What had been strange, at least to him, was they'd not experienced a tremor, at least not lately...They'd experienced two in less than a day, and that was highly unusual. His concern was, now that they tremors were more frequent, they'd become more frequent.. and more violent. But he kept those concerns to himself at the moment burying them at the back of his mind, concentrating on Ana.

Silently, Chance untangled himself from Ana while bringing her up and into his arms, he looked about the room, he thought to start cleaning Ana up using some of the water from one of his water skins, however, there was something that peaked his curiosity.. Although he'd never really known much about magic..

"Ana... I have no idea what properties the amulet has, it was able to remold fallen rock, but do you know if it has any healing properties? or..." Looking down between them, he could see, and sense they were a bit of a sweaty mess. "I know it might seem like a miss use of magic.. but I figure testing it's abilities on us.. safely might not be a bad idea.. "

He was sure his idea might sound silly.. but hey.. they'd be trying to do something, and remain naked.. well the idea of remaining naked 'with' Ana sounded like a wonderful idea..

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Ana smiled softly in amusement at Chance's request that she try and use the amulet to clean the two of them off. Under normal circumstances she agreed that using magic for such a task was unneeded, and was a misuse of such a powerful artifact, but she agreed with him that it was a relatively safe way for them to continue to test what exactly what sort of tasks its powers were capable of... and after all of their traveling, and battling of tunnel creatures, and then their intense rounds of lovemaking the day before and when awaking.. they were both definitely in need of a good wash.

"Alright, I'll give it a try then.." she agreed with a nod, giving his lips a soft kiss and brushing her fingertips over his jaw before slowly moving and slipping out of his arms.

Crawling to the edge of the great stone bed, she slipped off the edge and moved over to where they had left their clothes by the crystal fireplace the night before. Retrieving the softly glowing stone from where she'd placed it before, she crossed back over to the bed and joined him again, sliding herself back onto his lap with a smile. Part of her did this because she thought it might work better to clean them both off if they were sitting together like this, but the other part did so just for her own enjoyment of remaining naked in his arms for a little while longer.

"Okay, here we go.. think clean thoughts," she teased him as she placed a kiss upon his cheek with a smirk and closed her eyes, focusing her mind on the image of their two bodies being cleansed from the top down, hair and bodies completely free of any dirt or sweat as if they had just emerged from a long bath.

 

[CoSurvivor]

Chance gave her a bit of a mischievous grin at her words. "OH yes.. only clean thoughts Princess.." He smiled and gave her a wry bit of a grin as she kissed his cheek. He thought to steal one more kiss from her but they were actually trying to do something here, and that might lead to one more distraction, one more kiss evolving into heated lovemaking.. and they were trying to get clean.. not stay messy...

With Ana in his arms he held her tight looking between them he could see the amulet start to light up, Ana's hair begain to billow out away from her, and he dared not say anything to break her concentration. The feeling was incredible.. one that words couldn't quite describe.

As his whole body felt tingly, as the amulet did... something his mind couldn't quite comprehend, but it felt like the two of them were being surrounded by raw power, and every inch of his body felt smoooth... the dirt, grime and sweat that had been on his body, not just from their lovemaking but from the adventure down here began to flake off, like some second skin. He watched, as the amulet let off an orb of light which quickly surrounded them, reaching the edges of the stone bed and then the edges of the room they were in. His eyes darted about as years of dirt, grime and well, 'time' flaked off the walls and began to swirl about the room, swirling about until each part was quickly absorbed by whatever magic was immenating from the amulet.

Then came the light... a bright light first started a pin prick about the size of a thumbnail at the center of the amulet, this light engulfed Chance, and Ana, becoming so bright he had to close his own eyes.. When the light stopped and blinked out, he slowly opened his eyes and looked immediately at Ana.. She was radiant, truly vibrant now after the effects of the amulet, Truly Chance felt more energetic than he'd felt in years, as if the amulet had swept away the weight of the pain that had physically been weighing him down. the aches from his sore limbs, his bad shoulder which had just become part of who he was, so much so that he'd just accepted the amount of pain he always felt from it was truly.. gone.

Looking down at the amulet between them, it's light started to dim, then return back to it's normal color., but he couldn't take his eyes off Ana... it was as if he was looking at her with fresh eyes.. She'd been truly beautiful before.. but the magic of the amulet seemed to have made her in a word.. radiant before his eyes...

"You did it Ana.... by the gods.. you did it... "

Chance sealed his words with a kiss..

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Ana had felt the amulet's power moving over them the same as Chance, but with her eyes closed and her mind so focused on her task she was not as aware as he was of just how well her attempt to cleanse and renew the two of them using the amulet had worked. It wasn't until she felt the power dimming and she heard his awed words that she finally opened her eyes, a soft gasp of surprise and amazement escaping her as she caught sight of him and the room.

By the gods! Had she truly done all of this?! The whole room was changed! And Chance! He still looked like himself of course, but she had never seen him so... she didn't know how to put it into words. Moments ago the two of them, while content in each other's embrace, had admittedly been dirty, worn, and weary from their journey thus far; but she could see no signs of this in him now, nor could she feel any of it within herself. Despite her lack of sleep the night before she felt completely refreshed!

Then her eyes were suddenly closing again as his lips found hers, his skin smooth against her own as she embraced him and returned the kiss with a sigh as she breathed in and the scent of his clean, bare skin wafted to her.

 

[CoSurvivor]

Holding Ana in his arms Chance knew the importance, and the value of what they'd experienced, The power of the Amulet she held was starting to come to light, He'd seen her move boulders, and now this, clearing the room they were in of well more than 500 years of age. The room looked incredible now, it was as if he'd slipped though a time warp and gone back to the last days when this room was occupied. Eventually he moved away from Ana and picked up his pants, intending to shake out the dirt that had accumulated on them from their adventures down here, only now when he picked them up off the floor they were crisp, clean, probably cleaner than they'd ever been.

"Well it's not just the walls that the Amulet has had an effect on, looks like the spell had an area effect, it cleaned our clothes too." putting clothes on however he did notice that the spell didn't mend anything, he'd worn a whole in the corner of his shirt where he'd carried a blade for years, the shirt had grown aged from this process and eventually gave way..Holding up the edge of his shirt he looked at Ana that said he wasn't impressed,.

"I'm gonna have to talk to the spell caster... that spell ya know.. it cleaned everything but it didn't mend my clothes.. not sure that amulet is with all the fuss."

He finished his sentence with a more amused, grin, he was teasing her, she probably knew it but with the serious situation they were about to go into, he thought a little humor might help. Most of the time he spent dressing was in complete silence, occasionally he'd sneak a peak over at Ana while she put her clothes back on, a time or two he thought to untie a knot she'd just done to mess with her but thought better of it. At last they were both put back together, and ready to head further in, and as he waited for Ana, he took one last look around. it might be the last time he could ever seen this place. When she was ready, he lead the way, still looking both ways, checking the floor for foot prints. Only two pairs, just theirs.

Returning to the grand staircase Chance took one last look up, then down into the darkness and placed a glowstone in his staff. The blackness he could feel now.. as if it was going to swallow them. Slow footsteps down now, each measured and careful, they could take no chances, but the dust across the floor never betrayed them, his eyes scanned just as he was sure Ana did, he looked for any disturbance down here, who knows what might have broken a seal down below. But the halls were empty, just as they were above except for the feeling they'd experienced above, that something was wrong, a black feeling, itching at Chance's senses.

Finally, after a few additional hours of exploration he found another doorway, This one had been sealed from the inside, It hadn't been collapsed, but actually closed, along the wall he could see what appeared to be a stone mechanical device of a few gears, with a hole in the wall where a ratchet arm might have fit previously. The door carvings were elaborate, but he couldn't make out any words, Not that Chance could read Elvish..

"Wanna take a look at the writing Ana? see if the Amulet can tell us anything? I'll see if I can get the door open."

Reaching into his bag, Chance pulled out the skeleton key he'd used a few days before to open the Mine. The key might help, it was of magical properties, and it was worth a shot to see if he could open it without Ana having to use the Amulet again. Chance waited for Ana to decipher what she could. Their next actions would depend on what she found.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

The carvings on the door were much more faded and worn than the ones above had been. Ana could only assume that such a contrast was the cause of the darkness that was so obviously present in these lower levels. Though she could not see it she could feel it surrounding them now, like a fog or a mist pressing in and chilling the air around them.

She retrieved the amulet and held it as she attempted to use it to undo the corrosion on the carvings and decipher them as best as she was able. Like before in the room however, the darkness seemed to resist the power of the amulet, making it more difficult to use it down here than above. She worked slowly, focusing word by word until she was able to make out what was written upon the door.

"The lower gate..." she read, translating for Chance, "Pathway to the bottom kingdom and the black vault.."

 

[CoSurvivor]

Looking at Ana, Chance spoke calmly, but he tried to deflate the tension as well.

"If they were trying to hide whatever's down there they wouldn't have called it the "Black Vault" that's for sure. Our ancestors must have known exactly what was locked up down there, to call it out so obviously on their own exit. Now... to get it open without destroying anything.

Taking the skeleton key in his hand, Chance massaged the runes on it, bringing the object to life, as it began to glow, Chance pressed it against the square opening where the ratchet handle must have been entered when the door was in operation.

Surprisingly, the key took the shape of a long handle, eventually solidifying and beginning to glow a light blue at it's edges. Chance touched the handle, and could feel a touch of energy coming from it as the key sensed his need, The key had 2 purposes, to best replicate whatever item might best 'unlock' or 'lock' an area, and to sense it's user's request. This time the long handle twisted and began to ratchet the stone gears to move, Slowly the door in front of them began to move, two locks at the top and bottom slowly unsealed, and the door began to sway open on a hinge. Slowly as the gear turned the door opened completely showing both of them what lay beyond.

Whatever Chance was expecting, if it was to be attacked by a swarm of spiders from the other side of the door, or to have the door cave in, as bore worms made their way into the space, What his eyes took in was well beyond what he could imagine finding so far down here.

Light, of different shades, blues, yellows, greens, purples and oranges flickered against the side of the wall next to the door, and as Chance walked to the door way and looked beyond, what he found shook him.

"Ana... have you ever seen anything like this. In all my times down here, in all my travels, I've never seen anything even remotely like this. not even a mention of something like it in any of the books I've read, this place is... amazing, that it survived this long, untouched.."

The cavern, was a jungle forest, top to floor was covered with iridescent glowing plant life, and the further they got into the cavern, the brighter, the room became, sensing their presence.

As they walked, they weren't attacked, but it seemed that the forest they were there, and guided them.. it gave Chance an idea.. but he didn't dare do anything that might anger this place, He didn't want to assume anything, and part of that was to make sure he didn't disturb the natural order of things down here. They were after all the first visitors who'd stepped into this area in hundreds of years he could imagine.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Ana was just as amazed as Chance when he opened the door and she saw the lights begin to flicker against the wall. She walked just behind him, following him slowly as he moved to the door, her eyes growing wide in pure astonishment as she gazed out from behind him at the glowing phosphorescent jungle beyond the door. It stretched on as far as she could see, illuminating the cavern with its glow. As the two of them ventured forward the glow increased, shining brightest along their path and a little before them, as if leading their way.

"I've never seen anything like this," she voiced in amazement as she ventured slightly off of the path to examine one of the plants more closely, "There are a certain type of mushroom that grow in some areas of our kingdoms' wood that will glow faintly at night, but nothing like this..."

She reached out in fascination and brushed her fingertips softly over one large glowing leaf of a palm-like plant, its light glowing brighter where she touched it and then rippling through the entire plant like a wave.

"Beautiful," she commented aloud in her native Elven tongue.

 

[CoSurvivor]

Chance watched as Ana was just as awe struck as he was as they walked through the iridescent forest, he didn't sense that the trees or flora would harm him, but since he'd never been here before he thought it best not to touch anything. Humans and Elves had been missing from this area of their world for so long, it was a wonder as to how this all existed down here, and how it still survived with what was going on. Was it some sort of magical protection? did it have everything to do with what kept the Elven palace they'd just left fully intact.? Chance wasn't sure, and in the limited time they had, he wasn't sure he'd be able to get any answers.

When he did see Ana reach out and touch a leaf, watching the color cascade, it made him curious as well. Chance reached out, his touch was equally delicate and tentative. Gently he reached out and brushed a finger tip against one of the leaves. The reaction was the same, a slow ripple of color flowed across the leaf, and he watched as the it flowed through the entire plant, as if a drop of water had hit a calm pool of water.

The cavern was amazing as they walked, and the path they walked was well over grown now but Chance could still make out where they had been one, a subtle lowering of the floor at equal distance created a trail, one they could easily follow. It wasn't long till they reached end, and while looking back there was life, color and a vibrant nature to what they were in, looking forward, out of the cave felt... Cold..The light from the cavern did pool out beyond, lighting a well carved out path, one that had been untouched by time.

"Walk carefully Ana, keep your ears peaked..if you hear anything, tell me. I don't know where this tunnel will take us.."

The tunnel seemed to be in relative good condition as they walked, Chance listening to every step, while trying to keep silent, he wasn't sure where this path would take them, but he knew what to expect from the residents down below near the Castle. if anything, so long as he kept quiet.. and watched for the blood wasps they'd be safe. He wasn't sure how long they walked for in silence, surely Ana was listening as intently as he was, but the further they got, the more certain he was they were getting closer to an area he was familiar with. He kept looking at the walls, the color of the rock formations, and eventually he could see that the path came to an exit.. and from the sounds he heard, they were close, closer than he expected them to be.

On approaching the exit, Chance looked out upon the wide open cavern, it was massive even.. and this far down he wondered just exactly had created such a massive space, Although, he'd said that the last two times he'd been down here. From this position, looking out at the grand cavern, he could see... everything.

"Ana... There it is... Galmedell...."

The ruined castle was partially demolished, some of the outer walls had fallen in a long time ago, could be due to quakes, could be due to time.. but Chance could tell things down here were different than the last time he visited. And, he could tell why he hadn't seen this exit the last time he was here.. He started to explain what he'd explored previously down here..

"So the exit tunnel I've come down previously is well over there, I know it's there due to the bend in the lake. But this one, where we are, is kind of hidden, and well I was too awestruck by what I'd seen to go looking for another exit. I just never imagined there'd be one."

Looking down, there was a path leading by three switchbacks zig-zagging across the side of the cavern wall, which at least from what Chance could tell, would put them nearly at the front gates..

"Shall we?" Chance said as he pointed down the path...

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Ana openly stared out at the grand cavern spreading out before them in amazement. She could hardly fathom the size of it. It was by far the largest that they had come upon in their journey thus far. She could easily understand now how Chance had not come upon the tunnel they had arrived through before if the one he'd used prior had been clear on the other side of the space. Not only was it large enough to hold the castle, but she could see the remnants of a city surrounding it, and then there was also the lake he had pointed out as well.

Her eyes took in the castle itself for a moment. Time had certainly taken its tole, and parts of it were now caving in upon itself, but even so she could see how once upon a time it must have been a very impressive sight to behold indeed. She wondered what they might find inside what remained of its walls. Would they find the answers that they sought?

"Shall we?"

Eager to find out, she quickly nodded in response and began to head down the path leading to the gates.

"How much of the castle were you able to explore when you came before? Is there any certain direction you think we should try first?" she asked him as they made their way down.

 

[CoSurvivor]

Chance nodded to her question about exploring the castle "I did, to a point, I'd been down here for so long at the point I finally arrived I was concerned I'd run out of food down here. I mapped out what I'd gotten to explore, which was a lot of the main floor. The upper floors, including the second and third towers, were just too unstable for me to risk going up."

The sights before them were amazing from the route they were taking, and at the last switchback, just before they would finally descend and reach the front gate, Chance stopped and pulled out his journal. Taking a few minutes, Chance went over the map he'd drawn out, the main gate, what he thought was the grand dining hall, the throne room and other areas which would be important to the castle's defense. He also pointed out how in certain areas there was elvish writing, just as she'd showed her a few days ago when they first started their adventure.

"I suspect, there is something in the upper rooms of importance, I suggest once we explore the main floor, we use tower two, it was the most stable the last time I was here. But, your ears will be most useful down in the castle, it gets eerily quiet in there. I think the history of that place holds secrets it's waiting to tell."

Chance had been looking at his journal as he talked, hadn't looked directly at Ana in probably the last ten minutes, but when he did look at her as they descended, she was even more beautiful. Leaning in he kissed her, just before the reached the gate. He had no motive just the sincere need to say that he was glad she was here with him.

"Glad you are here Ana, I can't imagine going back in there without you."

Looking at the grand front gate, Chance pointed at the elvish writing above the entrance. "Can you read that?"

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Anna had been leaning over Chance's shoulder as he'd talked and explained which areas he had already explored when he had come to Galmedell before. She looked over the map he had drawn out, reading over his notes with him that he had made about what he thought each room was for and where he had found Elvish writing. When he turned to her and leaned in, giving her a kiss, she smiled and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze as they turned to look at the gate.

She looked over the Elvish writing as he pointed it out to her and nodded. The carvings had grown worn with time, but not so badly that she could not make out what was written. Her eyebrows raised a fraction with surprise.

"It's a rune of protection...a blessing. We make similar carvings over the gates to our own cities back home," she explained, "Roughly translated it means, 'Blessed be our sister city Galmedell. May your light forever shine bright against the dark.'"

"Elves always refer to cities in the feminine form," she continued on, "To refer to one as family, as close as a sister, it's a very high honor. It would mean that the rulers here were very respected and dear to the elven rulers of that time."

She gazed at the runes dumbfounded.

"Our kingdoms must have been so close... what could have possibly happened that made them begin to hate one another so?"

 

[CoSurvivor]

"Whatever it was, whatever happened here was so terrifying, so traumatic that it created a rift between our two people so great it eventually pushed our two people to hate each other. I don't expect to find anything in the upper areas of the castle, especially since it wasn't safe the last time I was there but, we should check it out now I suppose."

Chance said all this as he pointed at holes in the frame of the arch and suggested that at one time there had been a massive iron gate here. But, it had disintegrated from time, Much of whatever had been in the castle regarding furniture or anything the people who lived here might have owned was long gone due to time. The further into the castle they went the more more more unsettled Chance became, it was as if he was waiting for something to come out of the floor, or for the ceiling above them to cave in. Each step grew more careful than the last,

Exploring the main floor brought the results that Chance expected, the rooms were deserted, and he explained to Ana what he suspected each room had been, a greeting room, the main dining hall, and near the end of the grand entrance, what he suspected to be the grand staircase to the throne room and private rooms above. The only problem was, the staircase had been destroyed or possibly collapsed. Chance had his suspicions, but he'd never shared them with anyone. Well, he'd never had anyone to share them with till now.

Walking toward the collapsed staircase, Chance turned around and looked up. He could see that the staircase split along the wall and wrapped back to a platform above their heads, Which was possibly where the grand throne room was. He noticed a perfectly circular hole in the wall, nearly at the ceiling. It looked like it may have been covered in glass or a metal accent at one time, But Chance didn't see anything like that now. He was a pretty good shot with a bow, but not as good as Ana. With her skills with a bow, maybe they could get up there.

Setting down his bag he opened it and pulled out a small wooden box. unclasping the box he opened it and presented Ana with a small four-prong contraption shaped like a jagged x. it had a post at the center which he screwed in a small eyelet As he was assembling the whole thing, he looked at Ana and asked.

If we can get the weight right on one of your arrows, think you can put it through that hole up there? If we attach some rope to the arrow we should be able to use this anchor to help us get up to the second level. The other routes are either collapsed or not safe, This is our best chance..least I think so. If you've got other ideas I'm all ears."

Chance was confident she could make the shot, but would the wall hold up to his weight? Ana would have to go first, she was lighter, and if it came down to it,* she could probably get up there without the rope. Looking at Ana, he was sure she had a better solution than he did.