laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

The following eight days took the group deep into the Aran Mountains as the weather began to grow colder. Orange, red and yellow leaves had long fallen to carpet the uneven ground that rose and fell into river canyons that stretched for miles. Soon, they noticed the road opened around a large stone structure on the right and smaller to the left and closer to them. Between and centering the road that continued on through the small compound sat a fountain graced by nymphs in still motion that hovered within the branches of a large tree. White stone quietly amidst overgrown grass and rising ivy was losing the fight against the surrounding forest atop this plateau. They rode into the clearing and neared the back side of the stables to the left and dismounted as Kasar froze. They all peered around the tall columns that fronted the large temple's patio to see the large nose of a red dragon.

Immediately, Alister and Elsea ran back down the road they had just traversed. Kailee watched her friends sprint for their lives, leaving the rest to their fate. She turned and neared the southeastern corner of the stables as Kasar drew his sword; there was something wrong with this. She couldn't smell the breath, no heartbeat and there was no odors that accompanied the green that they encountered in the Dender Swamp.

"Relax, everyone," she began. "It's not real."

"What do you mean it's not real," Kasar accused. "I'm staring at it!"

She turned to Lericanin, "You might want to catch those two before they get too far."

He turned to Avion, hammer at the ready, "Ride back and gather them, would you?"

"Sure," she agreed, hopped back into the saddle and reined the stead back down the road.

"You sure this thing is an illusion," Tia reconfirmed. "It sure looks real to me."

"She's right," Sceva supported. "It's not real after all."

"Only one way to find out," Lericanin stated as he led them up to the nearest corner of the patio. Still, the large beast made no move or sound until the barking of a small dog echoed from deep inside the cavernous great hall. There was also someone else here with it, beyond the yapping guardian.
They eyed the scaley mirage that was impressively realistic as they slowly walked up the broad stairway until the apparition vanished. Beyond the wide doorway, she noted the tall, thick columns that supported the interior ceiling. Evening light reflected from the mottled grey marble topped by green capitals in the form of boughs. On the marble floor, she noticed the tiles arranged in a meadow scene where a younger bard entertained a beautiful lady and the other animals of the forest around them. Four large rooms flanked the large entry with one large door at the rear of the hall made of carved mahogany that hid the barking dog.

"He's not alone," Kailee informed which prompted the group to near the laquered artwork done in similar fashion as the floor with a name centered on scrollwork: Jyestha.

Suddenly, the door opened to reveal a halfling holding back his small pet. "What do you want?"

"You own the place," Lericanin asked, calming from the suspected ambush.

"Not exactly, but this room here is mine for the night. You people can stay in the dorm there," he motioned behind them and across the road to another two-story building that faced the temple.

Lericanin sighed, turned and led most of the group back to their horses and gear, leaving Tia and Kailee staring at the small man.

"Impressive guardian that you had laying in here earlier," Tia congratulated.

"You liked him. He keeps most people away, can't trust the highwaymen that sometimes frequent these areas." His broad, boyish smile belayed his mature voice.

"What is this place," Kailee inquired.

"Ardamurchen. You mean to tell me you've never heard of this great bardic college? Don't get around much, I take it."

"This is our first time here in this kingdom," Tia informed impatiently. "Where did everyone go?"

"Seems Jyestha left when the troubles at home claimed the life of the king and queen of Tywyn. Without him, the place just fell apart."

Kailee looked beyond him into the large, well appointed bedroom and office. "I guess you found the best place to sleep in."

He nodded, pulling the door closer to himself.

Tia grabbed the large barrier between them and yanked, pulling the halfling nearly out onto the floor as his dog jumped out of his arm and ran back under the bed. "What else are you up to in here," Tia mused as she walked inside as Kailee followed. She quickly noticed the long table and shelf pulled aside and the thin crease that outlined a door on the back wall.
The plump, small man jogged between them, backed to the wall, his arms wide. "I claim finder's rights to whatever's in here. I was here first."

"You're nothing but a petty thief," Tia exclaimed.

In shock, his eyes went wide, "I'll have you know that I'm one of the best thieves in the west."

Tia grinned, "Really? What's your name?"

"Haget," he introduced proudly, chest pushed out as small, pudgy hands went to the edges of his maroon jacket.

"Well, Haget, what seems to be the problem?"

"What are you talking about, there's no problem other than the fact that I've been interrupted."

"If you're such a great thief, why isn't this open?"

Kailee watched as the halfling nervously tried to think of the best retort. "He can't find a way in," she interrupted.

His brown eyes shot to her, then softened. "I'll find a way in...somehow."

"Tell you what," Tia began. "What say we help you and get a percentage?"

His brow furrowed, mouth askew as he pondered. "Okay, ten percent."

"Are you mad, we're helping you get inside, fifty," she countered.

"Twenty-five."

She thought for a moment, then glanced to Kailee. "What do you think?"

"I don't need money for anything, whatever you think is best."

She huffed, then turned back to Haget. "Deal."

Kailee watched as her fellow mentalist concentrated, scanning the doorway for its secrets until finally settling on the upper right corner. Thin, long finger tips glided along the crease until tapping an unseen button. A loud clunk echoed deep within the hidden chamber as a soft outgassing emitted stale air into the bedroom. As she pulled the thick opening to them, their small accomplice shot between the gap and ran into the round room. Tia and Kailee quickly followed to see an ivory colored chest with brass fittings and corners to the right of a well made, cherry table that supported a golden statuette. Haget quickly checked the chest as Kailee neared the small figure of a shapely woman, arms upstretched and holding what appeared like a wide sunburst. She stood atop a ball that was in turn supported by a flaring, four-square base. She concentrated and noticed an aura of blue cloud surround the object.

"What is it," Tia asked.

"This is worth the visit," Kailee whispered, still eyeing the object as Tia reached for it and cradled the tall statue.

"What," Haget exclaimed as he sifted through books and a small pouch that jingled when he picked it up. "This is it?" He stood, then turned to notice the statue in Tia's hands. "I want that, here," he handed the pouch to her and reached for the figurine.

"I tell you what," Tia leaned down, handing their find to Kailee. "You walk out of here with your gold and I neglect to tell the Marshall of Baden that rides with us that we've encountered the most notorious thief in the west. What do you think?"

He froze. "You're joking, right?"

"You want to meet him, he's in the dorm with the rest of our friends, come on." She moved to the entrance as the halfling followed, nervously.

"Tell you what, it's been great meeting both of you."

Kailee followed them both into the lavish bedroom as the halfling bent down to look under the bed. "Come on, Beri, we're going." He reached into the dark hiding place, grabbed his small friend and drug him out, grabbed his own backpack and headed quickly out into the great hall as Tia and Kailee followed. They watched him as he faded from view southward and down the road as the evening sun dipped.

"Nice doing business with you," Tia stated as she turned back to the figure that Kailee studied. "What do you think this thing is for?"

"I'm not sure, but I noticed it was made by a mentalist. Lucky for us, eh?"