Several members of the expedition team have had to leave. In addition to a few mysterious deaths, there have also been cases of jungle fever, poisonous bites and many other maladies that the camp doctors simply cannot handle here in the wild. In their place have come a new "batch" of workers – Savanite slaves, hard laborers, and a few specialists as well.

It's hard to really tell for sure, what with the 'weather', but it's late in the morning now. Much of the crew is out working on digs here and there. It seems something new is coming up all the time.

Envoy watches the activity in camp, and wonders if her suggestion of "don't remove anything" will really be followed.

Zoltan, as usual, follows quietly at Envoy's heels. The little one has a tendancy to find trouble, and he's like to be there to pull her out of it if need be.

While many of the workers wounded in the "incident" at the palace excavation site have already left, there are still a few around who recount the event to each other in low whispers. The speaker and listener have shared the tales before, but it's as if there's something comforting about talking about it yet again. But not within earshot of that snake mage or the peg-legged captain … or that Inquisitrix. Fortunately, though, they are off, tending to other business.

And, now that there are some new faces, the 'veterans' are quite eager to give mysterious warnings to the fresh hands.

janus is the model of a new arrival… he's spending most of his time poking his nose into places looking for the day laborer's favorite spot… the one where the foremen can't find him.

A couple of wolves are exchanging tales nearby. "And that's when Farli got hit. Ho boy. You should have seen him shake and dance. And he just HAD to go poking around, hoping for some more of those rubies we keep hearing about but never see… "

Janus slows down in his meanderings and listens to the wolves.

Zoltan scrawks quietly to himself in the Vartan tongue as he picks up snippets of conversations, ^ You'd think people would know better. People go into a temple, they don't come out. That sounds like good incentive to me to stay out as well. ^

Envoy perks an ear at the wolve's mention of 'more' rubies…

Envoy walks over to the wolves, "Hello… did you say someone has been finding rubies?"

One of the wolves, one with a bandage around his head covering one eye, nods. "Word has it that there was a whole pile of them earlier on. But now they're gone. I heard tell someone said they were inside some glass after a bit, but I never saw something like that."

Zoltan squawks, "Poodle found maybe? Sound like likley person."

Envoy says, "So nobody actually removed any of the rubies then, did they?"

Zoltan turns to regard Janus for a moment before going back to the wolves.

The other wolf, leaning on a crutch, shrugs, then winces painfully. Bad habit in his condition. "I wouldn't know. At least I haven't seen any."

Janus stops, leaning against a nearby obstruction casually. He watches the byplay from a safe distance, keeping one eye on the Vartan suspiciously.

The bandaged wolf grumbles, "I heard all these tales about this city being flowing with gems. And, mind you, I was hoping to get at least ONE of them… "

The wolf with the crutch grins. "At least."

The bandaged wolf turns toward the other, "Now, what do you think of that area they sealed off? You know, the other one. I haven't heard ANY rumors coming out about that. This has got to be the strangest expedition I've ever been on."

The Vartan frowns, remembering how the gems reacted to magic. "I be happy with what Titus pays me. Shinies can stay in temple." Odd thing for a Vartan to say.

Janus furrows his brow a bit and looks down, muttering to himself.

This is not lost on the wolves. They look up at the Vartan incredulously.

Envoy nods, "The gems are very dangerous to remove."

Zoltan looks down to envoy… already knowing what she's probably going to say about the 'sealed off' area.

Envoy says, "There are lots of other dangerous areas to explore though, besides the sealed off one"

Envoy acts as if this statement was meant to cheer up the wolves.

The bandaged wolf nods, not evidently cheered up. "Yeah. We know."

Envoy says, "How did you get hurt?"

Janus lifts his head again and chuckles

Zoltan reminds himself to talk to the aeolun's teacher about enrolling her in charm school or something…

The bandaged wolf looks to his comrade, and says, "Well, you see, when Farli exploded… "

Envoy says, "Exploded? What made Farli explode?"

Janus blinks.

Immediately, the crutched one looks as if he might be turning a shade of green or something under his fur. "Urgh. Excuse me. I think … " He staggers off, making choking noises, slipping behind a pile of supply crates.

Envoy eyes the camp cook suspiciously…

Envoy asks the other wolf, "Are there any bits of Farli left? Was it a chemical explosion? What was he doing when he exploded?"

The bandaged wolf shudders. "Like I know! One thing's for sure. If I'm selected to go poking around in that House of Horrors, I think … I think I'll just jump off the canyon. I think my chances are better with the river." He groans.

Zoltan shifts nervously from hoof to hoof.

Envoy says, "It's not that dangerous; you just have to be careful and read the warning signs."

Envoy adds, "And use long sticks."

Janus murmurs, 'warning signs?'

The bandaged wolf looks up to Envoy. "Oh." He regards her in a new light. A light of … (Is she REALLY as nuts as she sounds?)

Envoy says, "The Savanite hand glyphs carved everywhere. Have any of the Savanites been hurt?"

Zoltan makes a gurgling noise as he imagines Envoy playing with bits of charbroiled Farli the same way she plays with her bug collection.

"Sick, yeah. Lots of them. And there have been some accidents," the wolf nods. "You know – The Savanites tend to get sent in the really risky areas. I mean, we wouldn't want to risk a REAL person if we don't have to."

Zoltan scowls at the wolf for a moment. ( Cowards… all of them. .)

Envoy says, "That is careless. You should have a Savanite lead every party, and decide which areas are safe."

The wolf hmms. "I suppose that's one way to do it… "

Envoy says, "Of course, there's possibly the risk that one you'd treated poorly could lead you into a deathtrap… "

The wolf frowns. "Yeah. Those sneaky spotters… "

Envoy says, "It's their city, after all. They'll learn its secrets before anyone else."

"What?" the wolf's ears perk up. "What are you talking about?"

Zoltan turns his back on Envoy and the group of wolves for a moment to hide his grin.

Janus halfsmiles and walks over toward the small group, removing his beret and tucking it into his waistband, "Unless perhaps someone else knows the Savanite sign language?

Zoltan suddenly elbows Envoy from behind.

Envoy blinks at the wolves. "This city was built by Savanites, using other races as servants. It's depicted in pictures. Why else would all the writing be in Savanite hand language?"

Envoy turns to look at Zoltan, "Did you trip, Zoltan?"

The wolf snorts. "The only one I know of got killed in the ol' Hall of Horrors. Royce, I think. Or Ross. Or maybe it was … well, something he hissed at when he said. He was a snakey."

Janus grins a bit and holds out his hand, "My name is Janus. Now you know another."

Envoy says, "Raysse. He and Eustace died in the ruins because they were stupid."

Zoltan sighs.

The wolf looks around hurriedly. "Will you keep that DOWN? You can't SAY something like that about the nobility!"

Janus's grins grows a little wider, "And you can… as long as the rest don't hear you."

Envoy blinks at the wolf. "Natural Selection doesn't care about nobility."

The bandaged wolf looks up at Janus. "And my name is Vahn. You must be with the new hands, eh? I haven't seen you before."

Envoy smiles and greets Janus, "Hello, I am Envoy."

The Vartan smiles to Janus and points a taloned thumb to his chest. "Zoltan," he says simply.

Janus looks at Envoy for a second, "Pleased to meet you, Envoy. Natural selection does favor the nobility, because the political power they wield gives them the power to naturally select your head for removal."

Janus nods to Zoltan.

Envoy blinks three times.

Vahn snorts. "Ain't THAT the truth."

Zoltan nods vigourously.

Envoy says, "Well, perhaps that explains the actions of the Priest-King then… "

Janus turns back to Vahn, "Yeah. When people pay good money for work, I kinda find it hard to pass up."

Janus looks back at Envoy, "What actions?"

Zoltan squawks, "Nature weed out stupid, politics and money protect stupid."

Vahn says, "Given the choice, I'd rather be rich, powerful and stupid."

Envoy says, "He killed Eustace and Raysse, and almost killed Haji. He's as old as the city."

The bandaged wolf gives Envoy another quizzical look, but he doesn't say anything.

Janus screws up his face incredulously, "And how old would that be?"

Envoy says, "He was nobility, I assume, since he said he was a king, and that the Savanites ruled the whole world when this city was built."

Envoy shrugs, "I don't know how old. I haven't spoken with him yet."

Zoltan gently places a hand on Envoy's shoulder and motions to Janus. "Is maybe better we go someplace more quiets to talk?"

Janus looks up at Zoltan, "Probably several. Any suggestions Vahn?"

Envoy blinks at the suggestion. It doesn't seem particularly noisy here…

Vahn looks up to the black cat, and leans over to whisper. "Hey. Be careful with this bunch. Especially the girl." He orbits a fingertip around one ear, with a knowing look.

Zoltan points to a spot within a circle of trees. Away from wolves, nobles, wizards, and especially poodles.

Janus grins at Vahn.

Janus looks where Zoltan points, "Lead the way."

Zoltan shoves his hands in his pockets and walks towards the trees.

Envoy follows along.

Janus lets out a long breath and rubs his nose, muttering something unpleasant and unintelligable.

Envoy asks, "The Savanites don't seem to know their own history. Is that part of being enslaved?"

Janus wanders along behind Envoy, "Probably. Never having been a slave, I couldn't tell you."

Envoy frowns, "I just understand why the Savanites would want to be slaves."

"They gots no choice." Zoltan scrawks. "If they no be slaves… they gets killed." The Vartan shakes his head.

Envoy blinks. "What do you mean?"

Janus shakes his head, "Nobody wants to be a slave. But for some, the alternative of fighting – and perhaps dying – is not an option.

Envoy says, "Why would anyone want to kill them for not being slaves, though?"

Zoltan looks back over his shoulder at Envoy. "They nothing but property to most. They used, bought, sold, and treated however they owner see fit."

Envoy wrinkles her brow, "Why?"

The Vartan shrugs. "Is told you before. Zoltan never understand it."

Janus laughs shortly, "Power, probably. That seems to be the motivating force of most living creatures."

Envoy says, "Why enslave the Savanites though, and not the Kavi or some other race?"

Zoltan squawks, "Savanites is considered stupid because they no can talk like most. Kavi is mostly stupid… but they talks."

Janus turns and looks back over the camp, "Because it is easy to think of something that cannot talk and is easy to beat up as an animal… as a lesser being."

Envoy frowns. "So, if a telepathic race arose, it would be alright for them to enslave the more primitive ones that only used spoken communication?"

Zoltan enters the ring of trees and promptly sits down on a bare patch of dirt.

Zoltan squawks, "Tel-ye-path-ick?"

Envoy says, "Able to talk with thoughts, Zoltan."

Janus shakes his head, "Not any more right than enslaving the mutes… but that is being done, isn't it?"

Envoy hrms.

Zoltan quietly traces the black tattoos on his arms. He himself is a slave of sorts, or could be at any time.

Envoy says, "This still makes no sense. Poodles are very weak animals, yet they seem to have power over stronger and faster people."

Envoy says, "What keeps the Jupani from simply siezing power for themselves? Or the Vartan, or the Zelaks?"

Envoy says, "What would happen if all of the Savanites refused to work?"

Janus turns and looks at Envoy for a second, "They would be beaten, tortured, and then killed, until enough object lessons had been made that the others started to work.

The hippogryph puts a hand over his face. "Is wish I could go to place you came from, Envoy. No slaves, nobody out to kill you all the times. And you can ask all questions you wants without worrying someone will kill you for it."

Envoy says, "But who would do their work in the meantime?"

Envoy says, "Surely, there aren't enough guards to beat and torture ALL of them."

Envoy smiles to Zoltan, "I don't worry about being killed for asking questions here."

Janus shrugs, "They don't have to beat them all. If any of them break down because of fear, then the whole thing is wasted, as are a lot of lives."

"You should." Mutters the Vartan.

Envoy says, "What if the guards refused to beat them?"

Zoltan squawks, "Not happen. Guards would probably end up doing Savanite work."

Zoltan flicks a small stone at a skut, idly.

The little silvery-shelled creature (which could easily pass for a shiny pebble) screeks, almost inaudibly to most ears, and skitters away.

Janus laughs, "You're going to follow that chain of 'what if's all the way to the nobility, aren't you? If EVERYONE refused to follow the established order, it would change. But EVERYONE won't do that."

Envoy frowns again. "This social hierarchy is fragile, I think. All of the nobles in camp could be slaughtered by their servants, who could then just vanish into the city or the jungle. Without masters, what would the guards do?"

Zoltan squawks, "They all afraid to. You remember how scared Savanites were when snake used magic on them?"

Envoy blinks. "Fear is all that maintains the order?"

Janus halfsmiles, "Be my guest, Envoy. Vanish into the jungle. You might last a day or two alone. Besides that, those guards have a reason to protect their masters, even more so if any of them have a family."

Zoltan smirks, "You gots it. Fear of temple. Fear of guards. Fear of nobles."

Envoy says, "Who do the ones at the top of the hierarchy fear then?"

Janus says, "Each other… who else?"

Zoltan squawks, "Each other."

Zoltan smirks to Janus.

Janus smiles, "And yes, they do fear the masses, though they won't admit it. They know what could happen, if everyone just stopped working… but they know that it probably won't happen."

Envoy says, "I don't see how people can be afraid all of the time. That would be unhealthy."

Janus's smile fades a bit, "You learn to live with it, I guess."

Envoy says, "Titus does not fear Isstan, even though the mind-mage alters his memories?"

Janus shrugs, "I have no idea… but if someone isn't afraid of a mind-mage, I'd wonder about their state of mind."

Envoy says, "It is very confusing. I'm not sure there is a rational or logical way to view this system."

Janus looks down at Envoy. "Does logic explain everything?

Envoy shakes her head, "Only logical things. Behavior is apparently not based on logic."

Janus grins, "You're learning."

Envoy thinks about something one of the wolves said, and asks Zoltan, "If you could choose between having power in the present system or living in one where everyone was equal, which would you choose?"

Zoltan squawks, "Titus probably think mind mage no hurt him if he pay enough. I never trust magician."

Zoltan blinks… surprised by this.

Janus looks at the Vartan curiously.

"If you ask Zoltan that question ten years ago I say that I want power." He says this with a twinge in his voice as though he's not too proud to admit such a thing. "But now… I think being equal is good. Although… "

Zoltan squawks, "Is sometimes inequals that make someone better. Put challenge in life. Is sometimes wish would could be little bit of both, yes?"

Envoy nods, "I understand challenge. I wanted to be a world before I came here, when I was part of Lothrhyn."

Zoltan pokes Envoy in the stomach. "You need to gain lots more weight if you wants to be big as Sinai." He has a slightly goofy grin on his face.

Janus shakes his head, "I prefer the power, myself. If everyone is equal, there is no struggle. There is nothing to work for… there's no reason to work."

Zoltan squawks, "Power make people mad sometimes. Or lazy. Defeats purpose of working hard to gain power."

Envoy blinks at Zoltan, then asks Janus, "Can the Savanites become masters if they work hard then?"

Envoy thinks. "Nobles don't work for their power, do they?"

Janus shakes his head, "Nope. On both counts."

Envoy says, "So, in order for one group to have power for free, another must be denied it completely? Or are the two states unrelated?"

Zoltan's head starts to hurt.

Janus says, "The two states are unrelated. The problem is the source of the nobility's power."

Envoy says, "Fear, you mean?"

Janus tilts his head, "Not exactly. That's a result of their power. The source is the threat of violence."

Envoy cogitates for a bit.

Zoltan squawks, "… or poverty."

Janus looks at Zoltan, "They would take your wealth by force… hence the threat of violence."

Envoy says, "I think I see. The ruins hold a power that could be more frightening than the nobles' power of fear. That is why they would want to hide it, rather than submit to it."

Zoltan thinks this over.

Envoy says, "Others fear the nobles' power of violence, but the nobles fear losing their power more than violence to themselves."

Janus looks back to Envoy. "If what you said is true… then yeah. I think so. The truth would have quite a bit of power over the people. Telling the truth would get you ripped into a lot of little pieces and scattered to the winds."

Zoltan squawks, "Is understand why 'secrets' is so important to not tell people abouts now? Or not even let them know you gots secret."

Envoy says, "That would be very difficult with the pieces that didn't have feathers. Perhaps they would be tied to small balloons then?"

Janus starts to chuckle. "That was not meant to be taken quite so literally, Envoy."

Envoy turns to Zoltan, "I think I understand, even though I have difficulty doing so on a personal level. I do not fear the nobles."

Zoltan squawks, "You should."

Envoy blinks, "Why?"

Janus shakes his head, "No… you shouldn't. That's just catering to what they want. But I'm not going to go out of my way to die, either."

Zoltan squawks, "Hrrr… caution is better word. Should be cautious around nobles."

Envoy says, "Oh. I can't really die, I suppose, although I can be killed. Being killed would inconvenience me."

Zoltan blinkblinks?

Zoltan squawks, "Why you say you no can die? Everyone die."

Janus arches an eyebrow curiously. "Run that by me again?"

Envoy says, "My body can be killed, yes."

Envoy says, "If my body is killed, I wouldn't be able to do anything. I'm made to learn and explore."

Janus holds up his hands, "On second thought, don't run that by me again."

Zoltan squawks, "This like the 'stupid blood' thing, isn't it?"

Envoy blinks. "I did not mean to be confusing. There is an artifact in my brain which records my experiences. It can always be recovered and placed into a new body."

Zoltan looks at the pretty Creens flying overhead.

Zoltan urks. "Make sure you no tell that to many people. Some might decide to hack you head open and take it out."

Janus blinks several times, very slowly. "Right. That makes sense."

Envoy blinks three times at Zoltan. "What would be the point?"

Janus looks back at the base camp. "I think I'm going to go be suicidal and try to convince someone to let me in on one of the expeditions."

Zoltan shrugs. "Is probably some scientist in Rephidim that would want to poke at it. Maybe inquisitrix.

Envoy smiles, "Would you like us to come with you, Janus?"

"Don't take any shinies!" Zoltan scrawks to Janus. "They bad!"

Envoy remembers the Temple officials' seeming lack of curiosity, and decides Zoltan's scenario is unlikely.

Janus looks back at Envoy, "If you want to come, sure. I'm not sure I recommend it, but that's not much of a surprise given the condition of those two wolves."

Envoy says, "Traps don't think. Therefore, thinking people should be able to outwit them."

Janus grins a bit, "Then it would be nice to have another thinking person along."

Zoltan sighs and follows behind Envoy. "What you want to find in temple, anyway?" He scrawks.

Janus grins a bit and looks back at Zoltan, "Whatever looks pretty?"

Envoy says, "Something I haven't seen yet, Zoltan."

Zoltan grumbles and says nothing. Maybe the priest-king will leave him alone since he gave the shinies back.

Janus laughs and heads back toward the camp