The sounds of the Valuan crew members woke the three of them; Domingo, who seemed to be thoroughly enjoying this spurt of dangerous adventure, was first to the door, crossbow at the ready and nocked with a red-moonstone-tipped arrow. Lawrence's left hand was at the hilt of his broadsword when the treasure hunter said "It's okay - they're gone. Let's head out."
Lawrence slipped into the hallway first, Domingo close behind; Cupil transformed into a ring and wound around Ilchymis's index finger, and the mage hurried after them. The three wended their way cautiously to the exit, where they gazed out at a strange sight - a fortress built into a mountainous wall, suspended on a barren island above the mists obscuring Lower Deep Sky. But the soldiers had already disappeared into the fortress, and Lawrence slowly led them up the jagged mountain path.
"What is this place? Are we really in the West?" asked Domingo in hushed tones, and his eyes were on the many distant islands within sight, for they were alive with lush green forests.
"According to all my literature, the Lands in the West are characterized by deep, treacherous forests as far as the eye can see," whispered Ilchymis from the rear, and he had paused on the path to study their surroundings, as though trying to recall something to memory. "There should be a city around here, populated only with the few tribe members who survived the Rains of Destruction all those years ago and settled, but I do not see it. Perhaps Valua has already destroyed it."
Domingo had lowered his crossbow, looking puzzled. "But if we didn't dock at the city, then where are we?"
"Be quiet and keep your guard up. I know where we are." The two turned to Lawrence, who was not staring into the distance but keeping a very close eye on the crest of the path, beyond which they could see nothing. "I've heard sailors talk of this place - a man-made mountain where Green Moon Stones are harvested, as abundant as the food these people probably eat. But yesterday, when I was talking to the captain of that merchant ship, he said he'd heard a rumor that one of Valua's admirals had led a siege into the area and was forcing the natives to mine for the Moon Stones." The mercenary looked over at them at last. "Valua is here, and they're probably already sacked the city you were talking about, Ilchymis."
The mage looked ill with worry; the news had quite the opposite effect on Domingo, who had drawn out his kukris in a flash with a look of pure hatred in his eyes. "They're turned this place into a prison."
Lawrence laughed and turned to face the path again. "If that's the case, there should be enough treasure in here to shut you up for awhile, Big-shot. And high-ranking officers always fetch a high price... there's something for everyone. Let's go and give Valua a warm welcome."
And he led them up the path, over the bend in the hill, and swiftly in through the shadowy entrance.
Syek: Thank you very much! Consider this the first of several for today.
MasterofShadows: Thanks for the welcome back! I'll get hard to work so I don't disappoint.
DizzyVV: Thanks for beta-ing again! I love Domingo too; he's sort of molding into the cute but capable hero. And also thanks for pointing out my mistakes; I type so damn fast, it's easy to slip up.
Meowzy-chan: You glomped me! Am continuing; hope you like this one, too!