This morning Raz returns from his training at the Magic User's guild.
There is no sign of Pillar, yet.
Bel gets up and looks at Raz rather grumpily and after satisfying himself that Raz has no injuries, takes out a piece of paper. He goes down the list and says, "Ok, did anyone have "Comes back safe and sound" in the pool. Didn't think so. I guess it's a wash, refunds will be forthcoming. Very inconsiderate of you Raz, I had "Nonfatal but painful injury", if you go out and hang out a while I'll split the winnings with you?"
Farad laughs. "Well, Raz, glad to see you are back. Things got a little dicey after you left. I went to try and find you, and got blasted almost to death by a magician who works for the thieves guild."
Illyana nods. "You ended up with a nice hole in your armor as well. I've been trying to get the acolytes to buy us equipment, but for some reason they haven't moved yet.."
"Pillar hopefully will be back soon. In the meanwhile, Raz, could you get started making each of us invisible? I know it will take a few days, but the guild has decided to try and get to J'Harast through any of us they can catch."
"Everyone else, repack your stuff. I think we should leave the horses here for now. Their presence may convince the guild we are still here, and it would take to long to make them invisible also."
"We should ask Verona for directions to the new town.. Castle Yuri is a little too boring for me to be cooped up inside of for too long."
Farad says, "Boring, but safe. I doubt the guild would dare touch any of us there. We should travel there first, and buy our equipment from Yuri's men. No need to risk further trouble in the markets."
Illyana frowns. "I don't think Yuri sells what me and Sasha are looking for."
"Hush!" Sasha gasps, blushing deeply at Illyana's comment.
"He may not sell what you are looking for but it would be interesting watching you try on stuff we would like you to wear" grins Kelar. "What town are you talking about? Is there another one close to the Megadungeon?"
Illyana shakes her head. "Nowhere near, that's the problem. Verona mentioned the next closest one was a good distance away."
Verona corrects you slightly.
"I was talking about cities. The nearest city from here is Strabath. There are towns and such in the area. Out where you are, though...there are some places south of Castle Yuri...but since the Megadungeon is northwest of the Castle..."
Sasha looks mortified and looks accusingly at Illyana. "Did you tell everyone then?" She asks indignantly.
J'Harast looks confused. "I missed that conversation, if it happened. I would suspect that Kalar is showing his true colors."
Sasha whirls to face J'Harast, looking even more mortified. "Nevermind ... it is nothing ... really ... nothing at all ... " She stutters.
Illyana laughs. "Men will assume whatever they want, it matters nothing to me. Besides which, I haven't made it a secret that I wanted a new dress."
Raising an eyebrow, Kelar replies, "Hmm she didn't tell me anything. Now you really do have my attention. Maybe I could go along and carry your boxes for you?"
"No! You may not ... " Sasha stammers, looking intensely uncomfortable now. "Just never you mind!" She snaps, looking first at Kelar ... and then at J'Harast, and finally at Farad.
She then turns her attention back to Illyana. "I'm sorry ... I didn't mean to accuse you ... let's just go and run our errands... "
She takes Illyana by the arm and starts to leave ...
Illyana says, "Please don't think that of me! I couldn't do that to you, not to men of all people! They don't understand a woman's needs sometimes, that I know. If I told anyone, it would be one of my girl friends, you would be there and they would be happy to help you out."
Raz looks that the other male members of the group...utterly confused about what just happened.
Illyana giggles. "Thats just the way I like things, bye!"
Raz shouts, "Wait! It isn't safe to go out there yet! At least wait a day so that I can turn you both invisible before you leave the temple."
"We're not leaving the temple yet, besides which its kinda difficult to buy things when the shopkeeper can't see you."
"As much as I would like to see the two of you go now might not be the time. You might want ot wait just a hair longer or at least untill people arn't trying to kill us every time we show our faces. Beside I kind of like the color yours keeps turning. And red is such a nicer color than white," says Kelar.
Sasha frowns in puzzlement. "White? Red? Ohhh .... ." Sasha shakes her head. "Please ... let's just drop the whole thing ... who knew shopping would become such a hot topic around here!" Sasha says.
J'Harast looks confused, "If I gave offense, I am sorry. I meant nothing, and perhaps spoke out of turn." He looks ashamed.
Sasha grabs the sleeve of his tunic. "J'Harast ... no, you didn't offend. It is merely that Illyana and I wished to purchase some .. er, undergarments ... okay?" She says softly.
J'Harast looks at Sasha. "Yes, milady." He smiles at her. "Thank you."
"Thankyou? For what?" Sasha asks curiously.
Softly, "For caring. Please wait to shop till we are safe from here." J'Harast blushes "Well, I am going to the library to read and study."
Raz says, "I agree with Farad. We should first get to Castle Yuri. We can decide where to go after we get there. Now about the invisibility spell...I only have 1 left for today. I think it would be wiser to send you out in groups of two...that way if this magic user of the theives guild detects you , you'll have a better chance of defending yourselves." Raz looks around at the group saying, "What do you think?"
Farad nods. "A good a plan as any."
"Well it looks like we are going to be waiting another two weeks before we go back to the dungeon." mutters Kelar.
After conversing alone with Raz, Farad tells the rest of you that once we get to Yuri's castle, he will be studying with Raz to see if he can learn the invisibility spells, among other things.
"We shall need more than just Raz's abilities if we are to return to Sandas in the future. The training will take two weeks. During that time Illyana and Sasha should easily be able to travel wherever they need to get supplies."
Barring objections, Raz does the following...each day he will memorize and cast a invisibility spell on two members of the party and direct them to meet him and the others at Yuri's Place. When only he and one other member are left, Raz will cast invisibility on himself and the other person and then travel to Yuri's Place himself.
"What order? We should pair a figher with a spell caster. Is there any way, magically, to disguise me, so if the invisibility is broken, they will think that he is someone else? Also, is there a back door to the temple." says J'Harast.
Verona tells you that there are several other, less known, exits from the temple.
Raz nods, "Yes. I assumed that a fighter would be paired with the less physical types. I also agree that all of use, not just J'Harast should be disguised as well in case the invisibility spell is broken...and of course I expect that we should all leave in the least noticible fashion."
Farad says, "Might as well get started, but both of us can wait until last and see if Pillar returns. During the off part of each day you can begin my training. Might as well get started now while we don't have anything else to do."
"Okay how bout this Illyana should be on of the first so as she can explain what is going on to Yuri. J'harast probably should go with her so as he is out of town the soonest. Then Myself and Sasha so if they get in any trouble we should be able to maybe help them out. Then Bel and Hawk, and by that time hopefully Farad will know how to cast invisiblility so that Raz can use his two on himself and Pillar. Otherwise Farad will probably have to go out alone and then Raz and Pillar can go out the next day. If anyone has a problem bring it up now before we start casting spells." says Kelar.
"If Pillar is training, he will be gone another week at least. So do not worry if the last of us take a few extra days in returning. But I do not mind heading out alone just before Raz and Pillar, as its unlikely I will have finished training by then." says Farad.
With a sudden look of surprise Raz turns to look at Aldarin.."Sorry, you're so quite I forgot about you Aldarin. Would you like me to train you along with Farad?"
Aldarin nods deeply, "Absolutely, if you can spare the time. I could use the training but I don't want to take away from your studies."
Aldarin prepares his equipment for departure.