The Nestling: 3

That naturally left me with the question of where I should start. The room around me was interesting enough, to start, I supposed. So, for my first order of business, I elected to go investigate those display cases, the four of them littered about the back walls of the room. I approached the one closest to me first, with a bit of careful trepidation in my step. I really, really didn’t want to break anything, and have to explain that breakage.

Peering into the glass confines of the case, which was about two meters across, I saw an interesting site. A long staff, made of a smooth white material I thought was perhaps bone, tipped with some kind of red gemstone. No descriptor or anything, but it rested carefully on a collection of ornate pillows which laid within the case. I elected to leave it alone outside of just mentally noting its existence.

Onto the next case, I was surprised to find a different type of object all together in this one, which was smaller then the previous, about half the size. A bound tome, one which looked like it was at least a few decades old, if not more, and seen heavy use. It’s cover was written in a language I couldn’t make out, nor one that I recognized, but it was intricate, and written in a script which made me imagine it was something of importance. This one had a descriptor, a note near the side, written in common, which simply read ‘Do not touch. This does double for Ni.’

That was foreboding. I elected to move onto the next case after that, committing the warning to memory as I did. Not that I expected to be rifling through these cases very much, but more of a general idea that things here could potentially be dangerous if I wasn’t careful about it.

The next case was filled again, with something very different then the previous one. Resting on the pillows this time, was something unbefitting of the now back to the size of the first case. A small ring, sitting on a model finger carved from wood. It was made of what seemed to be a bronze metal, with a flat surface on it’s epicenter. What was on that surface though, was quite intriguing. A sigil of some kind, engraved into the surface in an intricate and well done manner. I didn’t recognize the symbol, and couldn’t make out the finer details through the case…but I could tell it was a masterwork. Or at least, better then my somewhat shoddy work. The question was, how did these guys get something like this? The obvious answer was they’d stolen or killed someone for it, but the more important question was where. I’d have to ask Virion about it later, maybe ask to study it.

Onto the final case, this one the largest of them and using part of the wall as a brace. Peering in, I saw once more, something completely different, tying together the lack of any real cohesive theme outside of ‘perhaps magical’ and ‘looking interesting’. In this case was what seemed to be a large silver bowl, a meter and a half across, one with little special about it, no special runes or carvings here. The only odd thing about it was that it was filled with liquid, seemingly water, but clearly not-it visibly glinted and glittered as if filled with jewels, even though it was in fact, empty, save for the liquid itself. Why they had gone through the trouble of filling it and putting it into a case for storage was beyond me, but I just noted it down as another oddity before stepping away from it.

That was all of the cases. And everything I considered of note in that chamber. Which left me with the question of where I should go next. There were a few doors off the way that I’d come, I could check those. Then, there were the two doors to the back of the room, one of which I knew led to some kind of kitchen area, the other which the lizardfolk had gone through, however, I had no idea the destination of. Other then those, there was the hall across from the one I’d exited from, and then the front entrance Virion had exited from, which I was fairly sure just led back out to the street.

After a bit of pondering, I decided against the kitchen, as I could imagine what was in there without needing a look for myself, that, and I could hear the clattering coming from within, the trick Virion mentioned. I wasn’t sure if whatever force he was using to have the dishes and such done for him was anything sentient, or anything which would alert him, and I wanted to keep my borderline snooping as on the down low as possible. So, I decided to simply start with what I had a relative good idea about first, then move more and more into the unknown as I went.

To that end, I went back into the hallway I’d come from, and headed for the first door there, the first of three. It wasn’t locked, so I opened it with relative ease.

This first room seemed to be honestly odd. It was an indoor garden, separated into three rows via tables-one against the left and right wall, one in the center, and one against the very back, for four in total. I cautiously took a step within, not ruling out the idea that it could be trapped. Thankfully, nothing seemed to trigger. I took a few more steps forward. It was warm in here, humid, despite the enclosed interior. I could feel beads of sweat starting to form. The room was lit by white lights at the top of the room, seemingly magically generated. I walked through the isles, looking at the various plants. Most of them seemed to be herbs of some sort, though a few small fruit bearing plants could be seen. I recognized a few that grew around here, but most were foreign to me. I was curious, but I couldn’t exactly gleam much, so I started to turn to leave.

That was when I spotted them, glinting in the corner of my eye. Two small stone urns, each of them studded with what seemed to be gemstones. Each of them seemed about the same size and shape, but the craft of them seemed different for each. They rested between the two garden beds on the central table which divided the room. My gaze lingered onto them for a second, before I turned to look away…only for one of them to shake. Which locked my gaze right back on.

It shook again, briefly, before the lid popped off, moving to fall down onto the table, but something caught it. Emerging from the top of the urn was a mass of amorphous water, which had formed appendages from it’s own liquid, one of which placing the lid of the urn leaned up against the side, the others gripping the sides as if holding itself up.

I instinctually took a step back, sizing up what little there was to size up. That was when I heard it. Not through a mouth, or anything of the sort, but at the edge of my mind. Like I was hearing words unfold.

“Greetings. I have not seen you before.” The voice was devoid of any features. The statement matter of faculty.

I just froze, unmoving. Not responding, when the next message took form.

“Do not be afraid. I bring no harm. This method of communication is odd for your kind, but ultimately necessary.”

I hesitated, visibly, before speaking in careful, measured words.

“…My apologies for disturbing you. What manner of creature are you?” I tried to phrase the question as innocently as possible.

“I am Boyle. The elemental which inhabits the liquid within this urn. I am bound here by the one you may call Ni, should you be acquainted. And you did not disturb me. I simply noted your presence.”

Elemental. I had heard of those. Personifications of building blocks of the world, the life they had. I tried to remember more, but I blanked. What I knew had only been in passing.

“…Great pleasure, Boyle. You can call me Acuzio, a visitor of Virion. I was simply taking a look around while I await his return.” I took care to inject flattery, and use “You can” as wording. I knew enough about outer dwellers that wording around names was important.

“Of course, of course. May I ask you a question, visitor?”

“You may.” I replied, curiosity leaking into my tone ever so slightly.

“Do you oppose slavery?”

What. That wasn’t what I was expecting in the slightest. But the response was easy.

“…Of course I do. It’s forbidden in the Kingdom, and the Triumvirate.”

“Lovely. Then free me, if you would.”

“What?”

“Free me. Break the urn. If your ideals are as you claim, they line up perfectly. I am bound to this urn by primeval magic, and forced to obey the commands of the druid here. It is agony. I request an end to my bonds.”

The voice was empty, even describing supposed agony. But then again…it didn’t quite seem right. I hesitated, again.

“…Are you not bound for good reason? For protection or similar? Or by your own choice?” My questions were rapid, as I tried to reconcile it. The woman I’d met, Ni, didn’t exactly seem the nicest, so perhaps it wasn’t as benign as it seemed.

“I am bound to maintain the garden. A chore that could be done by hand. Does that justify enslavement?”

“I suppose no-“

“Then match your ideals and break the urn. Quickly.”

My heart was pounding. On one hand, Boyle was correct. I opposed this. On the other…even a small thing like this could earn the ire of the others.

I made the choice in a heartbeat. If this was the behavior this group condoned, I wouldn’t stand for it, I reached for the urn, intent on picking it up, and smashing it on the floor. That was when the other urn moved.

It’s lid lifted in a swift motion, but instead of water pulling itself from the top, a mass of dirt emerged, with a similar amorphous shape to Boyle, forming appendages from it’s source. It seemed to have stones within it’s body, one of which dislodged itself from the mass, and struck me square in the forehead. I stopped my motion forward, just as a new voice put itself at the front of my mind. Tonally no different from Boyle, but I could feel some kind of difference almost instinctually.

“Stay your hand, mortal. The aqueous one lies to you.”

I stumbled back a step, as the stone clattered to the ground at my feet.

“-What?” I said, looking to face the earthen creature.

“What are you waiting for? Smash the urn, lest a stone get in the way of your value?” Boyle again. Almost agitated, if it were possible for the voice to take on that tone.

“It is deception. What have they told you?” The new voice.

“I was informed that they were…enslaved, by the druid that lives here?” I questioned, trying to figure out how best to address them given their current forms. I settled for a gaze in their general directions.

“That is a falsehood. They entered into their binding willingly, however regret the deal and thus wish to trick you into freeing them for revenge.”

“…Revenge?” I said, as if that was the important part.

“Yes. Should you shatter that urn, they will surge forth into a larger form, and likely attempt to kill you and everyone else living here.”

“I do not seek revenge, Acuzio, I seek freedom!” Boyle’s protest rung out in my mind.

“…Regret or no, they should not be kept here if they do not want to be. Perhaps an agreement can be struck?” I suggested, peering more closely.

“It is not that simple. They wish to make it simple, but it simply isn’t. You can speak to Ni if you wish to understand things further. I can sense that she dwells within the building.”

I had doubts. I didn’t trust Ni, but then again, how could I trust these two? I sympathized with Boyle, however.

“How about this. Boyle, I’ll see what I can do with Ni. If I find your binding is as you say, you have my word I will free you. If not, then you will remain. Is that fair?”

“Fine. Seek all you like. The result is the same.” Said Boyle.

“Be wary.” Said the other.

“I will depart, for now, but I will return. Creature of earth, what should I call you?”

“You may call me Lutum. And you?”

“Call me Acuzio. Farewell, Boyle, Lutum.”

“Fare well, Acuzio.” Said Lutum.

No response from Boyle, as I turned and left the room. Instantly feeling cooler as I shut the door. That left two more rooms in this hall.

I decided to keep going in something resembling an order, and moved to the middle door, opening it. This one wasn’t locked either, and allowed for entry into a room with a similar size to the garden. This one had no light, except from what part of the hallway poured in.

The room seemed to be a workshop. Various tools scattered across the surface of wooden benches, for a variety of crafts. I almost glanced over it and was done, however two things caught my eye first. Firstly, in one corner, a stone structure could be seen, within it I noted, barely visible in the light, coals. Looking over it in it’s entirety I noted it seemed to resemble a forge…something that should be impossible considering the size. I made note to ask Virion about it later…if it was magical, I wanted to know how to use it. However, more concerning, and drawing my eyes away, was a second distraction. One of the workbenches seemed to be completely coated in blood. Dried blood, but blood nonetheless. I took a step closer, and ran my hand across the surface of it. It was completely dried, and days old by the looks of things. Very evenly applied as well.

It was disconcerting, and I decided, a problem for later. I backed out of the room, and shut the door. One more left.

I opened it, and was met with something slightly more plain. The room was about the size of the others, with large bookshelves climbing to near the ceiling, and pushed up against every wall, along with scattered throughout. Wherever a shelf could fit, there was one.

I took a brief walk through, skimming the titles. They seemed disorganized to say the least, in no particular order. Some of them weren’t even in common, but in languages I couldn’t place. On a variety of topics as well, I couldn’t find a rhyme or reason.

Eventually, on one of the shelves against the back wall, a spine caught my eye. It read “Practical and Advanced Sigilism” written by an author by the name of Lyila Aine. Now that was interesting. I reached for it, and tried to pull it off the shelf, for inspection.

It didn’t budge. Odd. I pulled harder, nothing. I thought it might be caught on something, so I attempted to move some other books aside, and was met with similar failure to move any contents of any shelf. I frowned. Magic, if I had to guess. Protections. Another thing to ask about later, I supposed. I let out a long sigh at my continued bad luck, and left the room, shutting the door behind me once more.

I headed back into the dining room I had started in. I’d cleared effectively three paths-the hall I’d come from, one of the back doors, which I had seen led to a kitchen, and the front door, which based on where Virion had gone, led to the exit.

That left the other hall, across from the one I’d just searched, and the other door against the back, where I’d seen Gira go.

I opted for the latter. I wanted to see about introducing myself properly to the lizardfolk. I opened the door…

Only for a fully grown bear to turn, and charge me from the center.