Nathaniel awoke as the curtain of darkness around the world lifted.
" I'm feeling good." He said looking at Rose, the large crests had disappeared from the floor. She must have been sorting the loot.
" Its about 510 mithril coins, I already took what's mine." She approached him, handing to him three bracelets made from star silver, " Spatial storage items, this is yours." Grabbing the dull bracelets, they felt light along with their thin design not looking extravagant.
As he was about to say something, " Bang! Bang!" Fierce knocking on the door drew his attention, " Who is it?" Nathaniel asked as he looked to Rose who shrugged her shoulders. Opening the door, five men wearing armor of baron Dalton's crest glanced at him up and down. " Nathaniel?" the leading man asked," Yes."
" The Lord has invited you to his manor, come with us." The man's words were forceful, not accepting refusal. " Alright." Nathaniel said, he followed the men who amongst them was Thomas, " Nothing's gonna happen." Thomas said as he flashed a gesturing smile.
A carriage took them to center of Rosewood village, the mansion was double story with a front garden patterned by red irises. Large window panes from which he could see servants moving about as he went into the manor.
A man stood at the entrance, Nathaniel felt no trace of aura on the man however he still put up his guard.
" This way." Vlad said as he proceeded to guide Nathaniel down the corridor, it lacked artistic ornaments. He felt it was symbolic rather than a distaste for art. The silence was suffocating as they walked in silence before reaching the office. " Lord, he is here." Vlad said.
" Come in." A reply came.
Walking in seated on a leather couch was Morbius drinking tea. He was dressed in a black coat which matched his long black hair. His hair was thin, overflowing. He gave Nathaniel a questioning look, " Its him sire." Vlad said as he was also taken aback.
" I am---."
" Forgo the pleasantries, lets get onto business." Morbius cut him off with annoyance, peasants and their lack of manners he cursed inwardly. He had heard it more times than he could stomach.
"I want you to guide my men into the labyrinth since you discovered it." Morbius spoke, " Of course I will pay for your services, 500 gold." His words were direct. He stared directly into Nathaniel's blue lapis eyes.
With a tinge of fear, he said " I cannot." Nathaniel's answer angered Vlad yet he kept observing, " I have signed a contract to join in the guilds expedition to the labyrinth since Carl died." Nathaniel said. He was lying of course.
Morbius mulled over his words, " I will have break the contract then." His words sent shivers down Nathaniel's spine as he stammered " Bu- t Lorrd, I will di-e." Nathaniel said stumbling back.
" I can reduce the penalty, you just have to bear with it." Morbius spoke, he was inclined on getting that treasure.
" Why do you look like this?" He asked, from the reports Nathaniel was a 36 year old man, armless and weak. His appearance was different from the report he was given. He did not expect Nathaniel's placid state including his now regained arm. He expected a man tethering on the edge of despair if not indulging himself.
" Lord, I was lucky to discover a potion in the labyrinth. I drank it and it restored my arm." Nathaniel said, his cluelessness about the potion's effects apparent but it did not matter, " How fascinating, have you been to the inner depth's of the labyrinth?"
" No, I have not."
This was it, his chance to rise in power and status. " Vlad send him back." Morbius ordered. Nodding, Nathaniel was brought back to the carriage. " You best consider the offer, you could live a life without strife under the Lord if you please him." Like any good butler Vlad hammered the nail deeper. On the second floor of the Mansion Morbius looked at the back of the carriage. " Do you think he is lying?" He asked.
" No." Vlad said as he stood behind him. " A scheme then." Morbius said.
" Though unlikely it won't hurt to be cautious. A labyrinth is too valuable to used in some scheme especially here." Vlad spoke. He was right the village was a remote part of the Belford Kingdom. It lacked any significance other than bordering the Maldon thicket.
" Keep an eye on him also the assailants yesterday, find out whom they belong to." Morbius said, he turned walking towards the office, ' I know that Joannah and Lilian would not lie to me. I need to move fast before the church and the guild.'
He was ahead in that he did not have to summon any forces, he could not lose that advantage.
" Prepare my knights, about 250. Leave the rest to guard the village." Morbius ordered as he walked down the flight of stairs. The office was on the first floor of the manor.
" 250?! My lord that is too much! What if they are annihilated?" Vlad's voice quivered at the notion.
" Today was only a probe, he will tell us everything he knows. I will not underestimate the matter, once we get the treasures the losses will be negligible. Afterwards kill him. " Upon reaching the first floor he and Vlad talked further.
Nathaniel returned to the inn, " It went as planned?" Rose asked. " Yes the spark has been planted." Nathaniel said as sat down taking a sip of water.
" When?"
" Two days from now."
" The dungeon?"
" They won't return."
" Alright, I guess I should get going." Nathaniel said as he started packing his stuff, his job was done. It was time to go to the city of Liberia.
The adventurer's guild...
" Morbius you bastard!" Rodrick cursed as smashed anything he laid his eyes on. He had gotten intel about Nathaniel's visit to the manor of the lord.
" Where are those idiots? The can't even kill one cripple!" Rodrick cursed. " It will take at least two days for the guild's forces to arrive but by then it will be too late." He couldn't do anything with the adventurer's he had they were too green.
" What to do?" Rodrick was in dilemma