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Along one of the back roads of Aegisport rides Trinsa Kahar. The young noblewoman is bedecked in her light cavalry armor at the moment, her lances left at home it would seem. Instead of her usual happy smile she has a determined look about her. The streets are deserted at the moment as she trots along in this rather plain part of town near the river.
Lorana Lomasa rides alongside Trinsa, armored in ornate full-plate and looking rather glum. She has been silent for the entire ride, and occasionally runs a finger along the haft of her gothic axe as a nervous impulse.
Renkek Kahar rides in having a sheathed sword and a bow hung on his back with a quiver as well. Who know it might come into use at the least. He continues riding till he reasches the stopping point and does not yet dismount. He looks about nodding to those present.
Vesta Seamel is, by contrast, somewhat carefree. Unarmored, there is an unstrung longbow and a crossbow ready to hand at her saddle. She rides gently along the roads, with the air of one who rides a lot and is quite used to it.
How Lucius Nepos got to Aegisport so quickly isn't really obvious, since he didn't stable a horse at the Castle of the Hours. But he got here indeed, and now he walks towards the town, about a half kilometre behind the two nobleladies. He's also somehow got himself armoured, though instead of having his shield on his arm he's got it slung. He eats what looks like a rutabega. One would hope cooked.
Walking proudly a few steps away from Lucius is a tall, blonde-haired nobleman clad in the armor of a Shadowscourge, hands clasped behind his back. He glances over to Lucius, a light brow raised slightly. "Are you sure that's...healthy? It was on the side of the road, looked like it was there for awhile?" he queries, expression a bit lopsided as he shrugs.
"And so the nobleman went running from the tavern in nothing but his boots and cloak." The young Captain of the Nillu Guard - Katriana - erupts into a series of giggles as she tells her story to the younger woman who rides next to her. The pair of women approach Aegisport from the south, both mounted on chestnut mares, though the Duchess chooses to ride sidesaddle in her finery while Kat is in her leather armor and goes astride. "I tell you, Sah, it was one of the funniest moment that I have ever witnessed. And the barkeep was chasing after him, shouting and demanding his money." Despite the light-hearted nature of the conversation, the guard remains on alert as she looks back and forth, bow and quiver kept close at hand from a special attachment in her saddle.
"Nothing but boots and a cloak?" Sahna queries in response, chuckling at her sister. "I wish I'd been there to see that." She's riding sidesaddle on Rei, her brown river trotter, and is unarmed as usual.
"Look, you never grew rutabagas in your garden, Ral?" Asks Corporal Nepos, motioning to the root vegetable in his hand. "This one's mint! Someone must have dropped it by accident from their sack as they walked or rode by. I'm telling you, it's perfectly fine. Here, have a bite!" He thrusts out his hand towards the Shadowscourge, grinning toothily. "Uncooked, but still tasty." His eyes brighten. "Oh, you should have seen this bloody circus I just witnessed, mate. Be proud you belong to an organization with discipline and tradition, eh? Looks like the noble houses are going wayward. I'll tell you about /that/ one after." He laughs.
After about half a mile a rather plain looking estate comes into view. It is not as grand as those further into the city but it is respectable. The only thing of real note is the fact that the curtains are drawn with heavy dark colored curtains and front door is swinging slightly ajar in the wind.
Trinsa directs her horse in the direction of said estate. "Don't worry too much Lorana, he was an arse and it looks like you are in the clear. Friends in high places I guess." She murmurs.
Vesta Seamel reins in as the group of travelers nears her. "Goodness," she notes, surprised. "Quite a procession. Is there some trouble?"
"Of that I have no doubt. Some of my...cousins tend to take more joy in chasing around their servants than doing any good for anyone with what they've attained," answers Rallus to Lucius with a polite chuckle, waving a hand to the offered rutabega. "I'm...sure you're correct, maybe next time, hm? Just let me know if anything...unusual results? I can make an elixir that will have you cleaner than you've been in the entirety of your life, with relatively minor side-effects."
Vesta Seamel frowns toward the house. "...Corporal, sir, I think your services may be required," she says, reaching almost unconsciously for her crossbow. "I'd call it a tomb robbing if it wasn't a house."
Katriana Nillu giggles and nods to Sahna, "Yes, nothing but his boots, and they were cracked and falling apart on his feet, even as he ran," she says enthusiastically. "It was the funniest sight I have ever seen in my life. I am certain Norran would have been aghast if he had known I had witnessed such a thing."
Rallus pauses in his speech to Lucius about the virtue of a properly-functioning digestive tract, giving him a tiny nudge as he jerks his head over toward the building with the door slightly open. "I think that house has been broken into, Lucius. A great deal of noise and crashing."
"Dianna doesn't favor me," Lorana remarks with a sigh, "She just understood why I felt the need to stop him the way I did. As for being in the clear, Norran's my superior. Just because he'll not be allowed to punish me doesn't mean he won't find a way to make my work life unpleasant. Or at least shoot me the evil eye." She's oblivious to anything more interesting about the house.
Renkek Kahar continues riding and does see the estate ahead but doesn't see anything else at the moment that might be noticable or not.
Sahna straightens up in her seat at the faint sound of.. Is that? She looks over to Katriana, alarmed. "Kat, something's wrong ahead. You know how expensive glass is, and I hear someone breaking a bunch of it." She urges Rei forward to at least approach the house, expecting her sister to pick up the pace.
"You telling me you want to give me the runs? You crafty ba-" Nepos's voice cuts off as he is addressed by Vesta, his head snapping her way. "M'lady?" He looks over at the house. And the back at Rallus. And then back to the house. "Aye. I'd say you're right. And here I was blathering." He tucks his half eaten rutabaga in a hip pouch, unslings his shield and draws his sword. "Well, then. I guess we know where we're going now." He takes a few tentative steps toward the manor in question, stopping once he's on its lawn. "Anybody joining us?"
Vesta Seamel picks up a small hip-quiver of bolts and buckles it on. "I can try," she says. "Where do you want me?"
Katriana Nillu frowns at Sahna's words and urges her mare forward to keep pace with Rei. "Sahna, you cannot just go rushing off into things," she scolds quietly. "I'm not supposed to let you drag me off into hair-brained adventures anymore," she adds in a complaint, but brings her bow up and one hand already is pulling an arrow from the quiver.
Once nearer the house the sounds become more pronounced. It would seem that somebody in the estate is up to no good. Shadows of figures creep out from the sliver of light jutting from the ruined door.
Trinsa lifts a brow. "I am sure Corri will find a way to protect ya. He's real sweet on you if I remember that kiss well enough." She chuckles softly and then listens to the others as she dismounts near the house. "Oh hell.. What's going on here? This is a Kahar holding and I demand to hear answers." The small woman places her hands on her hips as she eyes those nearer the estate.
"Nonsense. I'm perfectly able to drag you into things. And I'm not silly enough to go standing in front or anything. That's what big strapping guards are for. But there might be /artwork/ being destroyed. Expensive artwork." Sahna responds, scowling. "Look, there's Trinsa Kahar. Go join up with her, and I'll follow along at a safe distance."
"Recruiting passersby?" asks Rallus, looking a little surprised as he reaches for the flail on his belt. "I suppose there's no talking you out of it?" he surmises, following after Lucius and crouching his head down slightly as if it makes him any less obvious than he is. It doesn't.
Vesta Seamel dismounts, tethers her horse to a fence post, and loads her crossbow. Unarmored, she seems more curious than concerned, but moves to follow Lucius since he looks a bit like he might have an idea how to handle burglars.
"In the rear if you're confident about not shooting me with that, m'lady." Lucius grumbles. He looks over his shoulder at her, frowning. "Definitely in the rear. You're not armoured." He shoots Trinsa a glare that is not particularly pleased. "Love when people silouhette themselves." In a lower voice, he says to Rallus, "D'know she told me and Sean yesterday that she could lick the Grey Raiders with a handful of Kahar guards? Rubbish." The Corporal of the Blades refocuses on the matter at hand, lowering his head and raising his shield. "Let's advance before these boobs get us pin cushioned. I wish you would have talked me out of it."
"Oh, I didn't tell you?" Lorana asks of Trinsa, "Not just sweet on me, we have a courtship contract in place courtesy of her Grace Dianna." She frowns, then, her attention caught by Trinsa and then the people approaching the house. "Master Nepos there is a bladesman," she remarks, "There must be some form of trouble." She dismounts and draws the Bull's Horn, before remarking, "I'd like to assist, if I may."
Katriana Nillu gives a quick nod to Sahna and dismounts, leading Sundown over to tether to the fence near Vesta. "How could I be of service to you all?" she asks, slinging her quiver of arrows over one shoulder and ensuring her longbow is in good working order, even as she speaks.
Renkek Kahar makes it to the fence eventually and dismounts and looks towards the estate once more and blinks for now he does loosen his bow preparing it for use just in case. He doesn't grab it to use however. He looks to see if he can tell anything more as well.
Vesta Seamel nods to Lucius, and takes up a rearguard position without comment. It's fairly clear she's not a soldier, but she does seem to know her way around a crossbow.
"Bored nobility looking to see what happens when their expensives toys get to be put to good use, Lucius. I think I'll wish I talked you out of it as well," relents the Scourge, shaking his head as he flips his own smaller shield from over his shoulder and giving a nod to Lucius. Assuming Lucius goes along with him, Rallus makes his way inward.
"Ah! Guardian Leader Nepos, is that you?" Sahna queries, still mounted on her horse-- No shiny melee or archery for her, nossir. The man in church armor gets a curious look and a polite nod. "Light's sake, I hope you're all in time to save any art or precious items in there." As for people? Well, who cares?
"Aye, aye. Please do, all m'lords and m'ladies. Just make sure that unless you've got some protection you stay somewhat spread out, so a volley doesn't wound the lot of you." Lucius says to those at his and Rallus's back. "Corporal Nepos now, y'grace. I'll explain later." He nods at the Scourge and advances.
"Light.." Trinsa murmurs as she pulls her blade out and starts to move quickly after those advancing towards the door. "Master Nepos, still as snappy as ever. Want some friends within the Kahars? Lead on in that case!" The woman chirps.
SMASH BANG BOOM goes the interior of the house. A breeze blows slightly and a few rough looking men looting the estate can be glimpsed now.
Once inside the estate a rather plain parlor greets them. While the room itself may not be interesting what is going on in it is far more exciting. The bodies of a middle aged noble couple are bleeding out in one corner, short swords still clutched in their hands. Four toughs are in the process of taking anything of value from the room and hording it together near the entrance. Cases have been smashed open and a bookcase has been overturned, its worded content strewed across the floor, some turning crimson from the blood of the couple.
At the sight of the dead noble couple on the floor, Sahna grimaces-- She takes great care to keep the fighters between her and the bullyboys, but she does edge towards the murdered couple. It doesn't take long for her to at least see that they're quite dead, which gives her cause to frown. "Kat, Corporal Nepos.. I would like to see those men dead, unless you want to leave one alive for questioning. Please make it happen."
It's not hard how to react to something like this for Corporal Lucius Nepos of the Emperor's Blades - he's dealt with brigands many a time before, enough times to realize when it's fruitless to even talk to them. So speak he does not. He nods at Sahna's request, though. His sword is quickly replaced in its scabbard, with a glance at the two dead nobles, he draws one of the very short javelins in his shield's rear compartment. With a quick snap of his torso and arm, it's hurled at the closest robber, his hand following through by grabbing the second one.
"By the Light," Rallus gasps as he takes note of the corpses, looking visibly saddened a moment before his eyes turn to the ruffians and the emotion fades. "They're long dead, Lucius, and they will not be the only ones." No 'Stop right there's!' from Rallus, his shield raised before him as he makes his way toward the first criminal. His flail is raised in the air as he maneuvers it to get a steady momentum going, bringing the spiked ball speeding down toward the fellow's cranium.
Seeing the dead couple makes Katriana look a little green but it does not deter her from knocking the arrow into her bow and drawing back in one swift motion as soon as she's cleared from her allies. There are no grand speeches or expletives from the young Nillu. Once her target is acquired, the one furthest from the doorway, she lets the projectile fly, hand immediately going down to retrieve a second arrow.
Vesta Seamel tries to take aim, but - wow, so much chaos. The bolt goes wide of its mark, and battle or no, Vesta sighs and eyes her crossbow. "...Guess I left it out in the rain again."
Lorana slips in behind Rallus, the Lomasa heading for a different target as she brings her battleaxe to bear. No words, no grunts, just the determined face of a woman who has had a bad day and needs to take it out on someone. She heaves and swings the Bull's Horn in hopes of cleaving into one of the robbers.
Renkek Kahar considers as he watches and blinks as he goes to unsheath his sword. he only finsihes doing so, if need be. He isn't about to let someone get away with Kahar good. He sighs and could have chosen his bow but chooses not to. He tries a simple run through maneuver for now. Aiming towards the lower torso.
Sahna comments from behind the fighters dryly, "Take the last alive but injured if possible. This isn't normal, for a few thugs to be so bold. Might also want to see if he has any more pals in the house or on the grounds." She places a hankerchief over the dead noblewoman's face, then another one over the man's.
The fight lasts only a few short seconds. The four thugs were not expecting to be caught so soon it would seem. They turn and try to meet the battle headlong. One man, a tall bearded one gets lucky and is able to dodge out of the way of Lucius' javelin but his luck soon runs out as Rallus attacks. The flail swings down hard on the man's unprotected head and causes it to explode into a shower of blood and bone shards. The headless corpse slumps to the floor at his feet. A second woman doesn't make nearly the show and is cut down by Kat's arrow as soon as she turns. The arrow lodges in her throat a full few inches of the barb jut out from the other end. Number three is a clumsy one, he trips over the broken bookcase and lands right in Lorana's path. His arm is cut clean off leaving the man howling and holding his stump. Ren's blade is trueand the fourth thug had no chance. As the blade passes through him, the man groans slightly and grips the sword before he goes limp.
A few moments after the battle a figure runs in with a dagger in hand. The thug needs no time to figure out he outmatched and he turns and runs from the room into the adjoining one..
Trinsa rushes towards the two corpses and frowns deeply. "Areina? Jofters?" She murmurs painfully.
After missing his first target and narrowing his eyes irritatedly, Nepos is about to go and stick one with his spear when the dagger wielding Johnny-Come-Lately shows up at the door with a stupid look in his face. The Corporal of the Blades takes off at a sprint after him. He's weighed down by his gear, but then again - he trains to sprint in it. Again, he doesn't bother speaking, though he drops his spear as soon as he clears the door, keeping his right hand empty.
The man felled, Rallus looks around as he notices all the other ones have been swiftly taken care of. Noticing Lucius run off into the next room, he glances over to Lorana and the others and points off after Lucius. "Follow him, make sure he isn't being led into an ambush. I'll take care of the survivors," he asks in a calm, authoritive tone, tucking his flail back into his belt and kneeling down by the screaming, armless man. He offers a faint smile, opening his supply bag at his side and beginning to treat the wound to stop the bloodloss. "Be calm and you will be alright," he notes calmly past the screaming.
Once the men are down, Katriana looks aside to Lorana, first making sure that she will take off after Lucius before taking up a new position near Sahna, new arrow nocked into her bow, but not drawn back yet and pointed down at the floor. She is silent, vigilant, eyes sweeping back and forth, looking for anything obviously missing or out of place.
Vesta Seamel carefully puts her crossbow away, and instead looks around the house. "...Oh my," she muses. "Milady Kahar, who were these people?"
Lorana gives chase behind Lucius without question, charging forth at the fastest speed she can manage in her full-plate. The battle axe is put away in favor of the lady having hands free to push off from walls in the event of sharp corners.
Renkek Kahar looks around he resheaths his sword and sighs "If there are more elsewhere, besides the one with the dagger, they'll meet the same fate...." he sighs and nods and continues looking about but not touching anything at all.
The one armed man rolls and screams but soon blood loss gets to him. The man is pale and he is murmuring something silently to himself as Rallus works on him. His glassy eyes stare up.
The second room is a tad more interesting than the first it's foyer to the rest of the house, nothing unusual there except for the fact that one of the walls seems to have swung forward revealing a staircase leading down A corpse is at this portal as well but this is no mere dead nobleman, this is a fully armed and armored Kahar House Guard, a broken spear juts from his chest. Dagger boy is making quick time towards these stairs, frighten glances are directed over his shoulder.
Trinsa slumps near the two dead nobles and shakes her head. "Auntie Areina and Uncle Jofter.. old guard.. here to keep up appearances for the store house we have hidden here." She murmurs softly. A sad glance is directed at the two dead, then the young Kahar rises to her feet. "Whoever did this shall die. Keep that bastard alive long enough for me to cut the truth out of him good sir." She growls over to Rallus as she stalks towards Mister Stumps.
"This is your storehouse?" Sahna queries, sharply, also making her way over to the injured man. She steps around the scourge carefully and stares down at the man, eyes narrow and angry. "I am sorry for your loss, Lady Kahar. Brother of the Church, is the blood flow cut off well enough? A nudge or two to the injury may be neccesary to make him speak. Katriana, tumble the stuff the looters already gathered in this room. Look for anything out of the ordinary." She doesn't lean down towards the man, not willing to get within reach of any desperate last attacks, but her voice is as icy as the tundra as she asks him, malice in her gaze, "Your name, the number of you here, and what you are after. Make it quick."
As he's sprinting and once he's in sight of the stairs, Lucius Nepos's resolve is hardened. Another corpse probably means more enemies around. His legs take him running past a small table with a variety of rare and expensive vases. He grabs the first one he can find, the one which fits his hand best, a roundish one and as he continues to sprint towards the dagger man, hucks it at his head.
"That won't be necessary, My Lady," offers Rallus, doing quite a good job at stopping the blood flow and bandaging up the wounds. Rallus offers a calm smile to the man, reaching a gauntleted hand toward one of his fingers and pulling it back. He puts enough force on the finger to threaten to break it, but seems abnormally well-versed in how to avoid doing so while still inflicting the desired result. "Please respond quicker, Master, and I assure you you'll be left alone until your trial."
Katriana Nillu nods and with her bow still ready, moves slowly about the room, kneeling down to try and look for anything unusual. She scowls, pushing things aside, lifting them up, turning them over and over all, making just as much of a mess as the people before her had.
Vesta Seamel makes a sour face at the interrogation, evidently having little stomach for it. Instead, she goes to examine the secret door, seeing if she can work out how it's operated. "Very clever people, to know all this was here, and how to get to it."
The breaking of expensive vases that aren't hers? Nope, Lorana doesn't care. The woman simply continues sprinting, keeping off to the side from Lucius to keep him out of her line of attack as she pulls one of the hatchets from her belt and lets it fly.
Renkek Kahar continues looking about for now. He's not going to take anything unless told to, He might look at some books or the like on the outside at least. He considers as he looks around perhaps having seen some things elswhere already that were similar items and the like.
The one armed man's glassy eyes widen a good deal and a weak shriek escapes him. "Fi..five!" He whimpers softly. "Ea easy pickings.. everyone was dead already!" He adds painfully. The bags that Kat turns over reveal various bits of loot, gold candle sticks, some jewelry.
"One of them yes. But.. I suppose not after this." Trinsa replies to Sahna with a deep frown. Torture or not, the young Kahar takes the moment to spit in the injured man's face.
Dagger boy goes down, the hatchet is buried deep in his back. The stairwell seems to be well lit, but no sounds emanate from it. The mechanism controlling the hidden door seems complex and expensive.
Sahna shakes her head, although she does shoot Rallus a grateful expression. "Thank you, Brother." She turns to the man and scowls, adding, "Are you saying the nobles were dead when you got here?" She glances over at Trinsa and Kat, alarmed. "...Means someone else, someone competent might be below. Even retired guards could have held out better against these small-timers. Kat, go reinforce the others. If whatever they were after isn't gone yet, they might not be either."
The hatchet going flying past him is bound to raise eyebrows. Lucius doesn't look back, but at the wet thump of the blade burying itself deep into the dagger man's spine, he slows his approach to a quick trot. His sword comes free of its scabbard and his shield comes up in front of him. "Bah!" He frowns deeply, raising his sword to motion towards him. "Form up close as you can without killing me with that axe of yours. We're going upstairs to check." As Nepos passes the dagger man, he plunges his sword quickly into the base of his skull, twisting and then pulling it out. It makes a disgusting sound, and the fluids which come forth afterwards are equally disgusting. Onwards, he heads upstairs with caution.
The hatchet going flying past him is bound to raise eyebrows. Lucius doesn't look back, but at the wet thump of the blade burying itself deep into the dagger man's spine, he slows his approach to a quick trot. His sword comes free of its scabbard and his shield comes up in front of him. "Bah!" He frowns deeply, raising his sword to motion towards him. "Form up close as you can without killing me with that axe of yours. We're going downstairs to check." As Nepos passes the dagger man, he plunges his sword quickly into the base of his skull, twisting and then pulling it out. It makes a disgusting sound, and the fluids which come forth afterwards are equally disgusting. Onwards, he heads down with caution. <re>
Vesta Seamel looks over at the dead thief, then walks over to examine his loot. And looks around. "...I think I believe him. Someone paved the way. You don't make a secret door like that one to hide gold candlesticks. That *door* is worth more than gold candlesticks." She smiles. "Good thing the Corporal's taking point, I think..."
"A harsh but still deserved retribution for stealing from the dead," replies Rallus of Sahna, leaving the man's finger alone and returning his attention to the wounds. A scrap of clothing is used to wipe off his face as Rallus reaches to bring a waterskin to his lips. "This is all I can do for now, whether or not he lives to stand trial will be up to him." After he gets his fill of water, Rallus tucks away his supplies and rises to his feet, looking around to those in the room. "...and I would stress that he /is/ left alone and given the chance to stand trial and be properly questioned. He may have unwittingly seen whoever did murder these people." With that, the Scourge marches over to where the others are, following after Lucius. "One was left alive, I stopped the bleeding. Apparently someone else was here first and these men were looting the place. Whoever truly comitted the murders may still be down there, according to him all the looters have been dispatched."
At Sahna's words, Katriana turns from her nudging around and nods, taking off after Lorana and Lucius. "Hey! Hold up," she calls as she runs, gripping bow and arrow in one hand to avoid shooting anything important, like herself in the foot.
"I won't hit you any more than you'll hit me," Lorana remarks casually as she follows with the bladesman. "Shall I continue throwing hatchets or switch back to close combat, Corporal?" She seems perfectly comfortable with heading into the unknown without weapon in hand for the time being.
Renkek Kahar considers and sees most familiar things some Kahar tabbards and family History of the Kahars with the Kahar crest on verious items. He nods briefly and sees nothing of much interest that he isn't familiar with at least already to him already, as of yet. He prepares to go down the stairs for now but will go where the rest goes too.
The one armed man flops back once his finger is released and closes his eyes.
Trinsa makes the follow after the group.
The stairwell is wide and well lit though it goes deeper and deeper into the earth. Once everyone is down, it opens up into a large vault. Cases and chests fill the room. Truly the treasure of the Kahars are on display in this subbasement. Antique armor, priceless jewels, pieces of art, weapons and dead guards. Four of them to be exact, once again they are heavily armed and armored Kahar House Guard.
Either the looters were spooked or just haven't made it to this room just yet because other than some rather obvious signs of a fierce struggle nothing seems to have been taken. That is except for a sole case where two of the guards have fallen. The brass plaque on it marks its former contents as the Sword of the Great Shadowscourge Aenara Kahar.
Sahna brings up the rear, commenting to the shadowscourge, "He looked like he'll survive to trial, which is good. Even if he doesn't have any additional information, there is much to be said about showing people an example. Even with butchered nobles in here, the fact that these fellows thought they could loot one of the six houses with impunity is something that should be discouraged. Heartily." She smiles faintly at Rallus, but when she looks at the empty case, Sahna Nillu snarls an epithet under her breath.
"Like I said - as long as you don't swing your axe into me, m'lady, I'm happy. I won't hit you because I'm sticking with a sword." Lucius turns briefly over his shoulder, smirking for the first time at Lorana. To Rallus and Kat, "Aye, y'better join us." His footsteps lead cautiously down into the vault, and he stays at the ready, eyes darting about.
Vesta Seamel follows everyone down the stairs, quiet and a bit wary. Dark eyes widen at the sight of the treasures hidden away...fading to a wince at the broken cabinet.
"Gone," notes Rallus, looking slightly interested in the missing item but otherwise putting away his gear and making his rounds of the dead in the room to see if any are left alive. "But this is quite the trove. I imagine the Kahar guard will be very interested."
Renkek Kahar looks about and does see some nice pieces of armor and jewels he's appraising most of what he's seeing. Though the weapons and armor he may be more interested in. He considers the empty crate however and blinks "Interesting....specific loot they seemed to want..." he nods briefly
Katriana Nillu slowly pads her way down the stairs, remaining on her guard, bow ready with arrow drawn back. After finding the storeroom empty but for some corpses, she lowers the bow once more, frowning. "Are there any indications of who could have been down here? Something dropped?"
Lorana crosses her arms as she strides into the vault with the others. Emerald eyes slide over treasures and the lack thereof, the Lomasa careful not to bump into anything as she goes to have a look at the specific empty case. "Aenara Kahar?" she asks, "I'm not much one for thinking tonight, could someone please fill me in on why someone would want to steal this woman's sword?"
Sahna Nillu stands before the sword case, glowering at it as if it had offended her. "It's part of what Lady Vesta was looking for, Lady Lorana." Something catches her eye, and she frowns down at it. "...And it appears we've been left a marker. Lady Vesta, may I suggest that your quest has somehow been compromised? I don't believe in coincidences such as this one." She leaves it to someone else to pick up the card.. Broken glass, yuck.
At the particular lack of violence in this area, Nepos lowers his sword and shield, but keeps both of them in arms. He's not much of a treasure hunter. Instead, he moves towards the bodies of those heavily armed Kahar Guardsmen, to examine how they fell.
Vesta Seamel shakes her head. "Compromised? No. But sometimes when things get interesting, people get ideas of solving it all by themselves and keeping the treasure. It tends not to work out that way. A piece of the Key is useless without the other pieces, and the map."