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The monk silently nods. The elders back at the Refuge would be able to think of a witty proverb to share at a time like this, but ideas aren't coming to her.

Giovanni smiles silently at the thought of surprising those shifty malcontents..

With the bargain struck for employment for the mother and father in exchange for the location of another entrance into the deep below and the best known location for the Band of the Hand Alfred gets down to business looking over the map that Mae has. After a few seconds to get his bearings he squints a little and points to a building in the Dock Ward a block or so in from the piers and jetties that provide access to the hundreds of ships that dock in Waterdeep.That one. It's a pretty good sized warehouse used for storage of goods waiting to be loaded onto ships. I went into the front office and talked to a loan officer there. I'll not bother you with the details of the conversation other than once my business mysteriously burned to the ground the loan guy and a few thugs showed up to tell me that the loan could be repaid with double interest, my life or the key to the tyrants door. It wasn't until weeks later that I realized they meant an Eye Tyrant. With a look around the room he continues. The Gate of the Witch will be located, according to legend, under a gem covered pedestal. Guarded by the Witch of Forever and the Ghost Knight. The story my father told is long and drawn out and better told over a stiff drink next to a warm fire. We'll save that one for another day perhaps. Standing and stretching his back he turns to Rykken. I assume you keep regular hours at your business? Then we'll be at work in the morning after we get our children to a friend for watching. He looks a little embarrassed. We'll look more presentable then I assure you.

The deal made and hands shaken Alfred stops and looks to each of the CoS in turn. The Gate of the Witch goes a long way down. Father said that the story he heard from his father said it was supposed to bypass the upper levels of the caves of Undermountain. I don't know how far down it goes or if it really does end up in the lower levels but didn't want you to go in unaware.

"I appreciate that, Alfred. I'm not sure that we're quite ready to tackle the lower levels just yet but it will be good to know where it is just the same.

I will let Lysander know that you are coming and she will help get you settled in."

Rykken then looks around at the others, "Shall we go check out this warehouse?" He pauses, "...a gem covered pedestal...a ghost knight. Y'know, that kinda sounds like that wraith that we chased into the sewers and...well..." his voice trails off. "Hermia, can you tell if that warehouse is anywhere near where we ran into that ghost?"

"Way ahead of you, Rykken," Hermia says, uncharacteristically quiet. Under the table, Mae squeezes her hand.

(Jandolar? What's the word, can Hermia tell?)

As Giovanni shakes Alfred's hand its obvious to all that he has pressed something into the other man's palm..

Youra good man Alfred, some people woulda just left these kids to die alone..

Hermia can clearly see that the area where the warehouse is and the Ghost Knight alley are miles apart.

Hermia, of course, relays this information.

"Hmmm...Could there be more than one of these gates scattered around?" He shivers at the thought.

With the CoS having now two targets of opportunity they return to the inn to plan. Since most of the day was spent in discussion and planning at Alfreds house it is now nearing dinner time and as usual the inn is filling up fast. Taking their usual table the group settles in to eat and drink and talk about what they've learned in the course of a day and a half. So far they seem to have incurred the wrath of a powerful band of thieves while also saving at least one family from a similar fate and have gained two new employees for Rykken and a network of spies out and about in Waterdeep. Typical day in the life of an adventurer. Near the end of the evening Kallas Grimsbeard approaches with a large tankard in one hand and a slightly larger keg in the other, behind him trails a barmaid with glasses and a smaller tankard for each member as well as a tall fluted glass decanter. As she sets the containers around the table Kallas pours a small measure of dwarven ale from the keg (not more than a couple of ounces each) into the small tankards and then places the fluted decanter on the table. The old fathers say that as long as a dwarf is remembered by good friends and good ale he'll never truly be gone. Raising his tankard To Sturm! May he be drunk as a monkey at the Old Gods right hand! He then empties his entire drink in one massive draw. Hiccuping slightly he refills his tankard from the keg. I'm not here to get you drunk, just wanted a toast to a drinking companion that I miss even though we only tilted a keg or two. The wine is yours to enjoy, I've had it for decades and have no idea how truly old it is... of if it even tastes worth drinking. Fare well companions of Sturm and if you need anything while you're up above let me know. With a bit of a wobble he turns and heads towards the bar and Durnan.


Am hour or so later while the last few patrons are finishing of a drink and others are coming back in for the nightly revelry of drunkards and stories of glory there arises a racket from down below. It sounds as if someone is frantically pounding on one of the shields below. Durnan quickly has the platform lowered and within a short time it is on it's way back up, once at the top there is revealed to be a man laying there. It's one of the members of the Band of the Hand that went down yesterday. He is barely awake, bloodied and torn there seems to be no part of him that isn't wounded in one way or the other. Durnan steps up on the platform and after a whispered question they see him take something from the mans outstretched and trembling hand. It is a single gold piece, the only thing of value that the man probably had left and the only thing that makes it possible to return to the inn from Undermountain.


(DMs note here. Remember that it costs one gold piece each to go down below and one more to come back up. Also would like to know where you plan to go next.)