Tal-rasha and Markus }{ an epic quest of epicness.

[mianst]

Markus clapped a cold pale hand on Tal's shoulder, "You seem to have an increasingly insightful knowledge, I'm glad you're with me."

Markus surveyed the room and said, "Is she not here? I admit I've never met a witch in a positive capacity, so I am curious, excited, and nervous."

[skimaskkass]

"We'll be fine, as long as we have money." Tal said, trying to reassure Markus. "Laaady! You home?"

The place looked like a mess, with an odd oder in the air that was much different to the sewage. Many of the end-tables were turned, some chairs were broken, and most rugs were torn. The generic theme would remind one of a gypsy. Purples, greens, blues, and patterns of moons, stars and icons of horoscopes and taro cards all over the floor. A cat sat on one of the lop-sided furnitures, staring at the two. It appeared to have a disease or infection in one eye.

A irritated sounding woman stomped down from a stair case. "What is it!? Who's there?!" An ugly woman, in her 40's or even 50's. A mole on her forehead, a cleft chin, and baggy old lady clothes. She slowed down as soon as she saw the two men.

"Ohhh!" She said, almost musically with her high but croaking voice. "Look what we have here... Two fine young men." She turned her head coyly and licked her lips. "What can I do for yew two?" She leaned on one of her decent tables, eying the men up and down.

[mianst]

Quite disturbed by the witch's apparent attempt to look appealing, But still able to keep his face clear. "We are seeking something, I hope you are familiar with...Khas Zeldariem."

at the mention of Khas's name her facial expression, and her mood, changed to that of anger. Then speaking to them both in what seemed to be two voices simultaneously, "You seek what you can not comprehend!" Then almost as though being released, but still angry, she said "I know exactly what it is you seek, Markus Kruger! You needn't show me the drawing you have there."

Markus just stood, dumbfounded. Not knowing what to say he glanced at Tal hoping he would know what to do.

[skimaskkass]

Tal said nothing. He merely hid behind Markus, making him a human meat shield. He peeked over his shoulder to check the distance between the witch and himself. He was afraid she would turn him into a frog, and she was quite... disturbing.

[mianst]

Markus sighed noting his companion's cowardice, and yet, somehow gleaning courage from it. Now speaking to the witch, he said, "You know what I seek, I have plenty of material compensation. Name your price, give us the information we seek, and you will never hear from us again."

Now contemplating Markus's offer, her anger starting to ebb slightly. "You apparently have at least some idea of what you're likely to find down there...But you still want to go?"

Markus stiffened, he did have a good idea of what would be guarding the amulet, and they weren't to be underestimated. He simply nodded curtly and said "Yes."

The witch then slumped down into an old wooden chair that had practically had one of it's legs replaced with books. She Whispered something unintelligible to her self, then snapped her fingers.The cat that had been lazing around on a cushion, started at the noise, hissed, and trotted out into one of the other rooms. At the same time, a small crystal sphere came bobbing down the stairs from where, Markus assumed, the witch's room must have been. The cloudy sphere lazily made it's way into her hands, then she said, "Hand over all the money in your sack Mr. Kruger, it's not quite enough. But you're right, I want you out of here."

Markus reached inside his cloak and retrieved the, now one third empty, sack of gold pieces. Not saying a word, Markus proceeded to reach his arm over to give her the money. Suddenly the witch grabbed his forearm, making him drop the sack on the edge of the table. the witch's eye's rolled back in her head, and again speaking as if with two voices, "The place you seek is...HERE!"

And at her last word Markus beheld a vision of a, seemingly nondescript, mountain face. But suddenly a gateway seemed to form out of the stone. A great stone hall, alight with the flame of torches. but the vision, very intent on reaching it's destination, rushed past the hall and down a spiral staircase, through a catacomb of laboratories and cage-like cells. stopping at a dead end, another gate came into existence, and the vision moved into a circular room. Racing down onto the item Markus wanted, and it was over.

Realizing he had been gripping the witch's arm, even tighter than she was his, they released each other. Then turning around to Tal-rasha, he said, "Let us go, we have what we need. I will fill you in after we have left here."

[skimaskkass]

"It's about time!" Tal stated. They both got out as quickly as possible, taking the same route back to the alley way where the fresh air was. When Tal-rasha stepped out he opened his arms wide and inhaled largely. But as he did so, a star earring made a ching on the pavement floor as it fell from his sleeve.

[mianst]

Markus had just made it out of the drainage pipe, didn't even have time to gasp for breath, before he snapped to attention at the clinking sound. Before he knew what he was doing, his hand was darting toward the ear ring. Not taking his eyes off the sparkling figure in his hand he said, "And what might this be Tal-rasha?"

[skimaskkass]

"It must have snagged my sleeve on the way out." He smiled playfully. "It's pretty, let me see." He put his hand out to take it.

A moment later he said, "Alright, alright... Old habbits die hard, and you may have felt that your revelation took five seconds, but it felt like ten minutes to me. I could only resist the first eight..." He reached into his sleeve, and pulled out a few other things like a few necklaces, rings and gold coins to show his friend.

"Now before you say anything!!" He put his hand in front of Markus's face to halt him from saying anything. "I only took one magical thing and I know what it does, and I promise she wont notice, because her pile of goods looked exactly the same the last time I saw it."

[mianst]

Markus was glaring intently at Tal's hand. Of course he didn't like the thought of stealing at the best of times. It didn't help that people assumed he would steal from them, and murder them. But why from a witch?

Markus pushed Tal's hand away from his face, then said, "Well, I hope it was worth it." Then sighing with resignation, "What does your new toy do then?"

[skimaskkass]

"That's a secret." He smiled.

"So where are we headed?"

[mianst]

"Mmhmm..." Markus didn't like secrets to be kept from him...though he loved to keep his own. He hoped Tal wouldn't keep something too important from him, and allowed him this secret.

"I don't know the name...Though from what I've read of Khas, he wouldn't want to be somewhere anyone could find. Truthfully I only have a feeling, as if I'm being pulled in that direction." Markus pointed in, what seemed to be, a random South eastern direction. He couldn't even see the mountains from the vision, but he knew it had to be that way.

"I'm not sure how long it'll take us to get there on foot. Why don't you put those trinkets of yours to some good use, and barter us some supplies...And perhaps a better weapon."

[skimaskkass]

"Maybe a horse, if it's a long way." He added. "Come, lets go to the market."

The two headed for the market. Tal instinctively headed for the poorer side of the market. Where trades were easier to come by, but for lesser quality. The environment matched the people. As people who couldn't move up from the social latter usually had bad quailities that kept them from doing so. Peices of Tabaco and other lazy crap were lining the roads as a hint of their laziness to do a little more.

Tal spoke to Markus before he bought anything. "Do you have any money left? I can give you one of these if that witch took all your gold." He motioned at his sleeve, hinting of the goods he took.

[mianst]

Markus was a bit embarrassed, he had hastily given up his money for the information, though it had apparently been a bargain. "Hah, it seems I do require some currency. though only enough for a horse." then glancing at the medium to poor selection added, "Preferably, one that's not going to keel over mid-journey."

Markus knew he wouldn't require much more than that, as he was an excellent hunter. Though, if need be, he could go a few days without sustenance. But then thinking back to those barren mountains, "though, you had better bring along some rations that'll last."

[skimaskkass]

Tal smiled at Markus's statement about the horse 'keeling over' mid journey. "I'll try to grab me a horse, I think I have enough for one and some rations. I'll get something that doesn't rot or attract monsters or animals."

So he went off and managed to get some dried meat, and some other food, all of which were sealed in bottles that would last seasons if needed. He also managed to get a horse for himself. A black one with white socks, though the pelvis seemed to stick out a notch, the ribs showed some-what and there were questionable patches of skin.

He came back to Markus with his things. Tal petted the muzzle of the horse. He enjoyed the company of animals.

[mianst]

Markus had reluctantly picked a sturdy looking Clydesdale. Though the hair around it's hoofs, that usually made this breed look quite stunning. Were stuck and matted with something...Markus didn't want to think about. All that mattered was that it could get him...at least, most of the way, to his destination. "And so, are going to do nothing about your weapon status? I remember the knife you had...It was useful back then, I'm sure, but what we face, you may want something with a bit more reach."