Along the rocky trail, a big muscle-bound wolf struts along, looking heroic (and a bit absurd in his 'archaeologist' getup), as he looks about at his surroundings, his long blonde hair occasionally flitting across his face. "Looks like ruins!"

The wolf turns around. "See? Told you. And I'm tired of waiting for that mind mage to come along. He can grab my memories later," Pha'bioh snorts.

( Brilliant observation. ) O o . Zoltan muses to himself.

Envoy stays in the background with Rawrii, watching the play acting.

Pha'bioh oops! "Whoops. I'm not supposed to say anything about mind mages. Oh no! I did it again!" He covers his mouth.

The wolf adopts a heroic pose. "I am Lord Titus haut Mikide, World Class Explorer and Adventurer! I am NOT an amazingly handsome and muscle-bound blonde-haired wolf named Pha'bioh!"

"Whew!" the wolf wipes his brow. "That ought to do it."

Zoltan hides his head under a wing, groan.

Envoy blinks a lot. She still doesn't quite understand 'acting'.

The wolf swaggers along the path, with his hastily-gathered almost-all-volunteer 'entourage' of bored expedition members following. "Okay. With my keen insights, I will … ah … explore. Yes. That's it. I'll explore the ruins and find lots of important stuff."

Rawrii the Vykarin sniffsniffs at the air, and his ears repeatedly flick as the strange, silent lightning far above crackles across the overcast sky – even though it makes no noise.

Envoy hmms. Letting the wolf explore could be dangerous.

Zoltan trods alongside Rawrii, patting him on the head reassuringly.

The rocky trail is narrow at parts, pieces having broken off and tumbled into the canyon far below, requiring some careful navigation. But, it begins to widen here, around the bend in the canyon, leading into a more open expanse, where more ruins are visible – not seen from the initial site.

Where the path widens, the wolf stops next to a statue that is lying on the ground. It resembles a Naga – one of the snake people. "Aha! Evidence that this city was indeed created by the ancient Naga," he says, pointing at the statue. "And in amazingly preserved preservation, too!"

Kaela remains carefully two steps behind the wolf, at his left hand. She carries with her a small pack of Titus' "essentials". Which Pha'bioh undoubtedly won't have any use for.

Envoy stretches her neck, trying to get a better look at the Naga.

The wolf leans over and gives the statue a thorough sniffing over. "Smells old. Real old." He stands up again, looking satisfied. "In fact, I'd even say it's ancient!"

Envoy whispers to Zoltan, "How can stone smell old?"

Zoltan whispers back, "It can't… was probably planted here for wolf to find."

Kaela carefully averts her eyes from the statue. She shifts her weight between her hindpaws and focuses upon a bug that's slowly making its way across the path.

Envoy blinks. "How do you plant stone? Does it grow roots?" she whispers back.

Esther sidles over next to Envoy and Zoltan for a moment. "Yeah, it's ancient all right. So ancient they were making it out of paper mache last night at camp."

The blonde wolf, blissfully out of earshot of Esther, continues swaggering down, reaching a tiled tier, where the rocky path gives way to less treacherous steps.

Envoy blinks three times, but doesn't know what to ask first…

Zoltan's feathers poof out nervously at the sight of the inquisitrix; although he attempts to keep an air of nonchalance as best he can.

Esther notes Envoy's and Zoltan's reactions, and snorts. She scowls and heads on down the path.

Pha'bioh (aka "Titus") continues along, passing several broken stone structures in various states of ruin and reclamation by the jungle, some of them choked to such a degree by creeping vines that not a bit of stone can really be seen underneath.

Envoy carefully checks the vines an overgrowth as they pass, in case some of them are predatory.

Zoltan visibly relaxes. He whispers to Envoy, "This all for show. Make wolf look like big important explorer type for Titus to brag abouts."

The wolf walks right on past an exposed wall, where there is a part in the vines that reveals some sculpted hand-signs that are more abstract than those to be found on the pyramid "temple" that Envoy and Zoltan explored earlier. Near as can be told, the vines aren't inclined to attack. However, there ARE signs of spots where some plants have been fairly recently uprooted, and a few scorch marks.

Envoy decides to wait until later to ask about bragging. Too much is happening now…

Envoy points out the disturbances in the plants to Esther. "Did they… plant… these vines too?"

Kaela regards the sculpted hand-signs with only a small amount of interest before hurrying to return to her usual spot near the wolf that isn't Titus.

There's a burnt pile to one side, which the wolf steps over and ignores. While the vines have shrivelled greatly, there are still some thorns that look very familiar to Envoy and Zoltan … much like the "affectionate" plant which went after Envoy some time ago…

"Remember," the Vartan hisses to Envoy quietly. "We never been here. We not know what this abouts. You not say anything to anyone abouts what we found."

Envoy blinks. She wonders how to reconcile reality with necessity. She'll have to find someone to explain it to her later.

Esther looks curiously at the exposed wall, and at the hand-signs. "Hm."

The blonde wolf looks at a large stone structure. He turns to his Savanite assistant. "You wait here. I'm going to go inspect the other side. Don't let anyone disturb me." He then whistles to himself as he marches around, out of sight.

Esther motions to Namo. "Namo, come here. Copy down those markings, won't you?"

Kaela nods slightly and remains in her spot. Though she does turn to look back at the rest of the expedition.

Envoy tugs at Zoltan's elbow, "Is it safe to let Pha'bioh go ahead alone?"

The big black wolf trots on up. "Ooo! Ancient writings? We're gonna really have something important to show the Temple, huh?" He begins scribbling down the markings.

Pha'bioh comes back around, adjusting his belt. "Ah! Nothing of importance back there. Okay. Onward!"

Zoltan blinks for a moment, as if surprised. He opens his beak to respond but clamps it shut again as the blond wolf returns. His face screws itself back up into its normal scowl.

Esther thinks, .oO ( Pairs of hands… this looks like Savanite signing. I've never known them to have a written language. )

Kaela nods again, and resumes walking along with the blond wolf. Her eyes are downcast, and her fur ever-so-slightly raised.

Pha'bioh walks along the ancient street, passing various other ruined buildings. He occasionally peeks into an open doorway, or around a broken wall, but apparently finds nothing to keep his interest. He still looks as if he's enjoying himself, though.

Esther lets Namo write, and suspiciously peers around the corner where Pha'baioh went.

Esther follows the party down the trail, her nose wrinkled and mumbling contemptuously.

Kaela, on the other hand, isn't enjoying herself much. She follows Pha'bioh, but doesn't look into any of the buildings. At each pause, she shifts her weight uneasily.

Zoltan chuckles, despite himself. His expression sobers as he watches Pha'bioh a bit closer. "Just keep eye outs if he try and stick hand in slot." The Vartan whispers down to Envoy.

Pha'bioh comes to a building that is in fairly good condition. As the way progresses, the vines are less dense. Some steps lead up into this building, which is constructed not unlike a triumphal arch, bridging over the street, and continuing right on through. On the interior are many more signs in the same script, these somewhat better sheltered from the elements.

Envoy stays close to Zoltan and Rawrii, watching Kaela. She's still learning about body-language.

Zoltan's ears suddenly *PERK* and he begins staring intently at a clump of vines.

Something in the vines catches the light just right…

The Vartan blinkblinkblinks! He sidesteps away from Rawrii and Envoy to get a better look at the vines. (and the Shiny!)

Past the "arch", there is a point where the vines are much thicker, hanging from the broken buildings and structures which crowd much more closely together. The vines seem to form a curtain, blocking the view further along the street. Pha'bioh pauses here briefly, then unstraps a chitin machete at his belt and starts hacking at the obstructing vines.

Esther peers in the doorways as she passes them, looking for items of interest. Then she notices the Vartan staring intently into the vines.

Kaela looks from side to side at the different signs they pass…

Meanwhile, the Vartan finds something within the vines. Something shiny, all right. And dark. It looks like a shard of obsidian.

Envoy comes up behind Kaela, and leans over to whisper, "Can you read the hand glyphs?" to the little Savanite.

Zoltan nervously pokes at the vines with a wingtip… just to make sure they won't try to grab him.

The vines don't move.

Zoltan gingerly reaches in and retrieves the black shard.

Kaela looks up and nods to Envoy.

Envoy whispers to Kaela, "Are they warnings? I can only understand a little bit of Savanite."

Zoltan holds up his prize and watches the light glitter from it. He notices Envoy with the Savanite and rushes up to join her, tucking the prize into his beltpouch with all his other shiny stones.

Kaela turns her gaze back to the signs for a moment more. She shakes her head softly at Envoy's question, then turns to rejoin Not-Titus.

The big dumb black wolf padpads up to Esther. "Find anything new, huh? Huh?"

At the spot where Kaela has been looking, much of the wall is caked with crud, but the edges of something more than just signs can be seen – It seems there are some pictures, in relief, partially obscured by the gunk.

Envoy memorizes the glyphs here, and follows after Kaela and Titus. "She says the signs aren't warnings," she tells Zoltan.

Esther looks at the scroll in Namo's hand. "Good copy as always, Namo," she says as she takes it. "Let's see if we can't find a translator."

Namo nodnods. "Hmm. Translator from what to what, though, huh?"

Zoltan looks curiously at the spot on the wall, attempting to see if the guck was recently placed there or not.

Esther walks briskly toward the Savanite near the head of the party.

Pha'bioh is still halted at the hanging vines, hacking away at them, making very slow headway.

Kaela clasps her hands tightly, quickly moving from those images and to the wolf's side. She looks, if not disturbed, then at least a bit confused and ponderous.

Kaela glances up at Esther's approach.

Zoltan thinks, . o O ( Hmp, probably something that disputed the Naga theory. Pictures of Savanites no doubt. I wonder if I could peel some of this stuff off without anyone noticing. )

Pha'bioh pantpants. "Maybe I should wait for – No! I am the adventurous Ph – Lord Titus! I will not let some mere vegetation hold me back from long lost secrets!" He puffs up his chest, and continues hacking away at the vines, which bounce and sway at his assault.

Esther walks up to Kaela and manages a smile. She shows the Savanite the fresh scroll. "Tell me, can you read and write Rephidim Common? If so, I'd like you to translate this, if you can."

Zoltan looks nervously at Pha'bioh, then at the inquisitrix. He gingerly reached out a taloned hand towards the wall and tries to peel a small section of the goop away.

Envoy divides her attention between Kaela and Zoltan.

Kaela nods to Esther slightly, casting her a hesitant smile. She takes the scroll and looks down at it for a few moments.

Esther rummages in her pack for an inkpot and pen.

Kaela swallows hard and looks back up to Esther.

Pulling the goop away begins to reveal a scene. A feline form, digitigrade, with stylized, curled hair.

Esther eyes Kaela, and raises an eyebrow. "Please be honest. I would really like your help."

Envoy drifts closer to Zoltan and his picture…

Zoltan nods to himself, knew it.

Kaela looks back down at the scroll. In a shaky hand, she writes (pausing from time to time to ponder over a word choice), "In the name of King-Priest, lord of all he sees."

Envoy looks over Zoltan's shoulder at the image of the Savanite. "Could that be the builder?" she asks the Vartan.

The feline form of the relief sculpture is shown in part-profile, some sort of idealized abstract, bearing a strange sceptre, and wearing ornaments that look to indicate high position. There are other beings visible as well – these much smaller. There are serpentine forms with pairs of arms – Naga, no doubt – and humanoids of different species. The smaller figures are clad very simply, often depicted with nothing more than collars about their necks. It would seem that the smaller creatures are moving heavy blocks and engaging in other hard labor under the watchful gaze of the giant cat.

Zoltan whispers to Envoy, "This not Naga, but they not want people to think it Savanite either… so they hide picture of Savanite."

Kaela holds the scroll back towards Esther, one of her teeth catching on her lower lip and absently gnawing upon it.

Esther reads the translation. She lifts her brows in surprise. "This is most interesting." She looks back at Kaela. "I hope you can help me translate more of the signs here later? I'll see that you're rewarded well for your efforts."

Kaela nods softly, lowering her eyes again.

The edges of Zoltan's beak turn upwards in a wry grin. Savanites with slaves serving THEM… very interesting.

The blonde wolf pants loudly, sitting down on a broken block of stone. "Whew! The great Lord Titus haut Mikide … now pauses to … inspect this most intriguing stonework. Hmmm."

Envoy says, "Why would they want to hide this though, Zoltan?"

In a quieter voice, Envoy asks the Vartan, "Is it like the map room?"

Zoltan squawks, "Because Savanites slaves. Savanites not supposed to be slave masters like in picture. They not even supposed to be smart enough to build city like this." he motions to the others, "They all think Naga built this, or want to make people THINK Naga built.""

Esther comes up very quietly to within clear earshot of Zoltan and Envoy. Then she sees what they're looking at.

Envoy blinks three times. "All civilations go through cycles of empire and barbarism. Why would this alter the present?"

Kaela glances to the tired blonde wolf.

Zoltan brushes his hand against the image. "Is secret alright. They why they cover it up." He doesn't seem to notice Esther. "Savanites viewed as being stupid. ALWAYS stupid, because they no can talk. They why they slaves."

The blonde wolf pants, looking up at Kaela. "Ah. Uhm. Very interesting stonework. Yes. Quite indeed. It's very hard. Like rock."

Envoy blinks again. "I don't understand slavery."

Kaela nods to the wolf as though he'd said something quite profound. She has a lot of practice, what with the various people she's assigned to follow.

"But here… Savanites is slaveMASTERS." The Vartan continues quietly. "Would make lots people upset if they find out that they slaves not as dumb as they think, or that they keep other races as slaves."

Envoy nods. "So?"

The blonde wolf grunts, and just decides to try stubbornly CHARGING through the vines. With a great deal of rustling, cursing, struggling and ripping, he disappears into the hanging greenery.

From the other side, a voice can be heard exclaiming, "Wha-ha-ha-HOH! (ahem) Er, that is. Fascinating. Extremely fascinating."

Zoltan's ears droop, his mind flashes back to the times he's worked in the bazaar in Rephidim, alongside Savanite slaves. Images of them being brutalized, mistreated, and even killed on a whim come to mind. "Slavery is excuse nobles have for keeping workers that they no have to pay. Zoltan never understand it."

Esther turns back around, facing away from Zoltan and Envoy. She quietly walks back toward the vines Pha'bioh has just muscled through. She sets her teeth firmly and rolls the scroll in her hand tightly.

Envoy says, "Is it okay for us to tell people about this discovery then?"

Kaela pauses, peering through the greenery. Then she glances back towards the rest of the expedition, clustered around the arch.

On the other side of the vines, as Esther forces her way through, she finds a more open expanse. The ruins here are … different. Past the curtain of vines, there is no more greenery to be seen within a wide circle.

Zoltan looks back up after the blond wolf, he stands shakily. "They already knows… wouldn't have hidden otherwise. Would probably be best to keep quiets about it tho."

Zoltan motions to Envoy, "Should probably follow them, is could be more trouble."

There is also a level ring of exposed earth. There are broken tiles that look as if they have been roughly dug up from the ground, and piled along the edge of this cleared-out area.

Envoy furrows her brow in confusion, the wrinkles distorted by her horn. Then she goes to follow Esther.

Kaela turns and follows as well, pressing through the greenery as best she can.

Esther looks around curiously. She inspects one of the tiles.

The circle of open area surrounds a twisted ruin where the rock darkens and sinks downward toward the center. Where the stonework begins, it looks like a nightmare realm – as if some giant had reached down, turned a palace into putty, then squeezed, tugged and twisted it as he saw fit.

Zoltan pulls the curtain of vines out of Envoy's way so she can pass a bit easier.

The tiles are stone, and by the weathering, it appears that they have laid in this state for a very long time. This is no recent doing, despite the lack of vegetation that would seem to suggest otherwise.

Envoy eyes the melted looking structure, and the barren area around it. "This area may be radioactive."

"What is this place?" Esther breathes to herself. She turns to Envoy. "What did you say?"

Zoltan likewise stares confusedly at Envoy, he shrugs to Esther. "She say strange things sometimes. Is probably come from talking to Creens."

Envoy points to the ruins, "It looks like it was melted. Nothing grows near it. If it was burned from above by radiation, it may still be emitting that radiation into the environment."

Several flashes of light arc across the overcast sky – silently. As before, there are no peals of thunder. The air is still. No winds stir up the dust and dirt. Even though it is a wide-open area, it feels like the inside of a long-closed tomb.

Kaela clasps her handpaws tightly, looking around.

Ringing along the ruin – forming a border between the twisted ruin and the barren earth – are stone monuments at regular intervals. Each bears a large stone hand. Each repeats the same sign.

"Then why say 'active' when it makes plants inactive?" Zoltan scrawks, scratching his neck.

Envoy says, "If the stone feels warm, then it may be dangerous. If it feels cool… it may still be dangerous."

Envoy looks at the giant hands.

Kaela's fur begins to stand on end, and she edges a bit back towards the curtain of ivy.

Every other hand, however, alternates in alignment. Half face out. Half face in.

Esther shakes her head, as though to clear it. "Savanite," she says to Kaela. "I'm sorry I don't know your name… do these large hands mean anything to you?"

"Kaela," mutters Pha'bioh, not pulling his eyes from the scene. "She's Kaela."

Kaela nods to Esther silently, her eyes darting from one hand to another.

"I'm sorry… Kaela." Esther extends the scroll and pen. "Write, please."

Zoltan gently tries to pick up one of the tiles to inspect it more closely. He wonders if they were removed from the barren ring in the dirt.

The hands are all posed in a slightly cupped position. The stone has withstood the elements commendably – even better than the tiles that litter the ground nearby, or the ruins beyond.

Envoy whispers to Zoltan, "Don't go beyond the ring of hands."

Kaela nervously writes, "stay away. danger" upon the scroll.

"Why nots?" Zoltan whispers back. "Is more active radio stuff?"

Esther blanches. Then she looks at Pha'bioh. "Ph… I mean… Lord Titus, I recommend caution until we can make a more thorough investigation."

Envoy whispers, "The hands are making a sign that means 'keep away' or 'stay'. Half are pointed to say 'keep out' and the other half are pointed inward to say 'keep inside'."

The blone wolf only nods, dumbstruck. "Ah. Yes. Of course. Ah. I shall go back immediately to summon … ah … more assistants." With that, he turns back toward the vines, and marches at a rapid pace toward them, restraining himself from breaking into a run.

Zoltan cocks his head sideways at the hands. "Why tell somethings to go away and stay at same time?"

Envoy says, "So nothing leaves the circle. Maybe the hands are part of a ward."

A wind blows through the stillness … or, rather, it is heard but not felt, sounding as if the ruins themselves had been holding their breaths upon the approach of the intruders, and, unable to hold it any longer, let it out in one collective sigh.

Zoltan rolls his eyes. Titus the brave…

Envoy goes to the edge of the perimeter marked by the hands, and examines the ruins within. Could that structure inside be alive?

Zoltan's feathers go *POOF*!

"Stay back, everyone." Esther stoops to pick up a fist-sized rock. She hesitates, gulps, then pitches it, sending it well beyond the ring of hands.

Kaela looks up at Esther plaintively, pressing back against the growth obstructing the exit.

From Envoy's vantage point, in a way, the stonework COULD seem to be alive. The way it twists and turns and warps seems to suggest that the walls themselves had been dancing and stretching – but now are frozen in place.

Kaela's fur is standing fully on end.

The rock flies past the ring of hands, landing somewhere within the jumble of twisted stonework. A shatter is heard, as of breaking glass.

The Vartan's ears go flat against his skull at the noise. His wings snap half open instinctively, although it would be folly to fly here with the lightning overhead.

Envoy touches the back of one of the inward-facing hands.

Esther stands as close as she can to the edge of the ring, and squints, trying to stare inward at the spot the rock landed.

The stone is smooth to the touch. It could have been cut from a quarry and fashioned just yesterday, for all that can be told. It is a dark, dull gray, solid, with no visible striations.

Kaela nudges Esther's arm with one paw, peering up at her nervously.

There are many glints of light that reflect back to Esther's eyes. She manages to spy what look like a mound of bubbles … fashioned of hollow glass. The stone has impacted one of these, leaving fragments scattered amidst the rest of the ruin.

Zoltan growls angrily to himself and crawls on all fours towards Envoy. "Is think Savanite has right idea." He scrawks, motioning to Kaela. "What happen to us if this place active with radio?"

Esther looks back at Kaela. "Yes, what is it? Oh." She offers scroll and pen.

Something glittery catches the Vartan's eye, lying just past one of those stone hand monuments.

Envoy hmms. "I don't feel any tissue damage from touching the hands. There may not be any dangerous radiation afterall."

Zoltan puts his head flat on ground level, eyeing the shiny thing.

Kaela quickly scrawls, "Buildings live. Ghosts eat life. Should not be here. Shaman say so." She's really getting skittish, jumping with each flash of lightning overhead.

The shiny thing – no things – spill from a gap in a wall that looks as if it has swelled outward and split down the middle. They glitter and sparkle, deep red.

Zoltan squawks, "Tissue damage?" He looks up at Envoy. "It make us get runny nose?"

Envoy extends a wingtip into the circle, to see what happens. "No, it kills the cells that make up your body."

The wingtip goes in. Nothing happens. There are some flashes in the sky, but that happens all the time, and they don't seem to have any special correspondence to the alien's action. Maybe.

Kaela's eyes widen as she sees the things. The scroll drops from her hands, and she presses harder back into the vegetation.

Esther's eyes go wide at Kaela's written words. "What the… " She looks up at the lightning. And the red things. And back at the terrified Savanite. "Envoy… what is your analysis of the situation?"

Zoltan ever so slowly extends an arm into the circle, yanking it back every few seconds just in case…

Envoy says, "The Savanites who built this place didn't want anyone to come near the structure circled by the hands. There is no physical obstacle between us and the structure though. The structure does not look artificial."

The little red baubles – uncut rubies? – glitter and sparkle with each flash of the silent lightning.

Zoltan continues inching forwards, slowly moving towards those glittery red things.

Envoy says, "The outer surface seems to be silica. It could be the shell of a large animal or plant."

The baubles are all of a uniform size, easily fitting with the palm of a Vartan hand.

"The Savanite says," Esther repeats grimly, "that the buildings are alive, and that there are ghosts here that steal life."

Envoy says, "Ghosts? What kinds of ghosts?"

Zoltan grumbles at Esther's words, but keeps inching towards the rubies. He nervously pokes at one with a talon. He can grow talons back, but fingers are another matter.

Envoy says, "Do the ghosts talk?"

The little ruby rolls off the pile, clattering onto some broken stone.

Esther says, "I think we ought to discuss this further from a safe distance."

Envoy blinks, "Shouldn't we try to communicate with the structure? The legends said the living buildings could talk."

Zoltan gently scoots a few of the gemstones out of the circle as he begins to inch his way out.

Envoy says, "You could tie a vine around my waist, and I can go into the circle to try and contact the structure. If something goes wrong, Zoltan can drag me back with the vine."

Kaela looks up at Esther, swallowing hard. She really doesn't want to be here, but isn't quite certain where to go…

The Vartan manages to retrieve a few shiny red stones. Shiny shiny! And pretty, too.

Esther says to Envoy. "Wonderful idea. It may get you killed… or us all. I think we should go back and discuss this from a safe distance." She looks at Kaela, whose fright appears to be infectious.

Zoltan relaxes as he escapes the circle unsinged. He hands one of the rubies to Envoy to inspect.

Envoy rolls the shiny in her hands, looking at it. Then she touches it to her antenna-horn and tries to talk to it.

Envoy hands the stone back to Zoltan. "Where did you get it?"

The Vartan examines another ruby, he looks at the light shining through it, he peers at everything around him theough the gem as if were some kind of lens, and generally pokes at it. It's a Vartan thing.

Zoltan squawks, "In circle."

Envoy smiles, "Maybe they're seeds of the living building. Or eggs."

Envoy says, "Or waste products. Or crystallized blood… "

Kaela knots her fingers around Esther's arm, clinging nervously.

Envoy turns back to Esther, "What is a safe distance? Outside of the Forbidden Zone?"

There is a quiet hiss from no certain source, like a breath being drawn slowly in through clenched teeth. And then it is silent once more.

Esther looks aghast at Envoy and Zoltan. "You stupid Vartan!" she shouts at Zoltan. "Not only are you ruining the site for examination, but you could bring down who-knows-what kind of ancient magic or technology down on our heads!" She fumes at Envoy as well. "I suggest we LEAVE NOW."

Envoy glances back at the structure.

Envoy nods to Esther apologetically, and heads for the vine-curtained exit.

Kaela tugs at Esther's arm as the hiss sounds, and begins to struggle her way through the vines.

Zoltan narrows his eyes. "I not one who broke bubble thing inside. At least we know it safe to in withough active radio things and runny noses." He places the third gemstone on the ground, a few feet from Esther, as if offering it to her and then scuttles back after Envoy.

Esther growls, and, pulling Kaela behind her, pushes back through the vines.

Namo looks at the party-members coming back through the vines. "How there!" His tongue lolls. He proudly shows his sketchwork to Esther. "I've been doing all the pictures!"

Envoy smiles and waves to Namo!

Esther pries Kaela off her arm. "Oh, hello, Namo. What's this?" She peers at Namo's drawing.

Zoltan tucks the ruby into his belt along with the obisidian stone.

Namo's drawing shows the more complete signs inside and around the arch, complete with several large felines engaged in surveying construction work performed by subservient beings.

Kaela reluctantly releases Esther's arm, and moves a short distance up the path away from the archway.

Namo says, "I dunno much … but – see here? Here's the arch. And I guess that means the palace is right through THERE. Is there a palace there, huh? Or a temple or something."

Esther says, "Well, at least it was a palace. But it's too dangerous to run in there right now. Fine work on the drawings though. Kaela!"

Zoltan sidesteps away to get a better look at that wall with the painted over Savanite picture.

Envoy asks Namo, "Where's Pha'bioh?"

Kaela looks back towards Esther. Her fur has only just begun to lower, and her tailtip continues to rapidly flick from side to side.

"Wha? Oh! You mean the big dumb wolf?" Namo grins goofily. "He went back to camp! Real fast!"

Esther says, "Namo, could you please go with Kaela… she's that Savanite guide over there. She can write Common. Please have her write the translations of all the writings you've copied."

Envoy nods to the black wolf. "Do you know anything about ghosts or vampires?"

Namo nods to Esther, then gives Envoy a quizzical look. "Uhm … not really." With that, he lopes along with the little cheetah, heading back toward the rocky route that leads to the main ruins and camp.

Zoltan curses himself for not re-concealing the picture, but then shrugs to himself. It would have been found eventually… obviously it HAD been found if someone had taken the pains to cover it up so sloppily.

Kaela remains near to the side of Namo on the journey back towards the camp.

Envoy muses out loud, "Vielanika might know about vampires."

Rawrii is lurking along the way, and looks quite happy to see Envoy again. He barks, "Rehroh, Rnroy!"

Esther says, "Envoy, just a moment?"

Envoy waves to Rawrii, then pauses next to Esther.

Zoltan motions for Rawrii to join him for a moment.

Rawrii trottrots up to Zoltan. "Ruh rup, Rohran?"

Esther smiles sweetly to Envoy. "Have you learned Savanite? I know how clever you are, and I've seen you with Kaela quite a bit."

Envoy says, "I've learned some from watching the crew, yes."

Zoltan whispers as quietly as he can to the Vykarin, "Keep eye on Aeolun friend. We find something that might get us in trouble with Rephidim temple. Inquisitrix wolf might kill all of us if she find out… " He glances back at Envoy and Esther for a moment before continuing.

The Vykarin nodnods. Something about his expression gives the Vartan the idea that Vielanika probably didn't fill him in on any details…

"And knowing that," Esther continues, "what do you make of this place? You have been so helpful already. In the interest of scientific advancement I would like your input."

Envoy says, "It was built by Savanites, with the help of other races. I think it might have been a school."

Rawrii, tongue lolling, watches Envoy, his eyes hidden under that odd translucent shell-like growth common to all adult Vykarin.

Zoltan keeps the 'details' to himself. "Just keep eye on Envoy. Do what you can to keep her away from temple people, but try not to act like anything wrong. Not want to make anyone suspiscious." With that he patpats Rawrii on the head and goes back to study the wall, pretending that he never said a word.

Envoy says, "The hands surrounding the ruin do not seem as old as the other stonework in the ruins. Having no further clues, I would speculate that it is connected to the odd storm above."

Esther begins to head back to camp, motioning for Envoy to follow along. "A school? Why do you say that? And do you have any ideas about what that 'storm' is?"

Zoltan starts to try and peel more of the guck from the wall, hoping to uncover something more.

Most of the gunk has been pretty well scoured free. Namo was reasonably thorough. The only bits remaining are along the edges, where there's not really anything to be revealed.

Envoy follows along. "I can't say why I think this was a school, it's a secret. The storm seems consistent with descriptions of Forbidden Zones, in that it is not visible until you are very close, and it reacts violently to flying objects."

Rawrii picks up as soon as Envoy and Esther pass, tagging along right behind Envoy, like a lost puppy.

Envoy says, "I don't think the city was built beneath that storm. It probably came later."

Esther looks on up the pathway, her eyes a bit glassy. "A secret? With whom? Surely you can tell me."

Envoy shakes her head, "I was told not to tell you, because the Temple would probably kill us to keep the information secret."

Rawrii's ears perk up. He glances back toward Zoltan.

Rawrii looks around, then back to Envoy. He whimpers, then nips Envoy on the backside.

Zoltan glances over his shoulder, he suddenly URKS! and makes some frantic hand motions to Rawrii as he hurridly rushes after them.

Envoy eeps and jumps, then turns around and asks, "Why did you bite me, Rawrii?"

Rawrii barks, "Ri rohn roh!"

Esther says, "But I wouldn't… " She sees Rawrii. "Rawrii… what in the world are you doing?… "

The Vykarin sulks, his ears folding back. He whines.

Envoy scritches Rawrii's muzzle. "I didn't mean to startle you." In Vykarin, she asks, "Is something wrong?"

Rawrii clicks and pops something back to Envoy.

Zoltan catches up and places a hand on the Vykarin's head. "Sorry, he gets grumpy when Envoy late for music lessons. Should probably be getting back to batbat friend soon."

The Vykarin bobs his head. "Roozik rehronz!"

Envoy nods to Rawrii, and says to Esther, "Please forget that I mentioned a secret. I didn't know that I wasn't supposed to talk about there being one, just that I wasn't supposed to talk about the details of it."

Rawrii whimpers. "Rih roh nowh." With that, he clip-clops on ahead.

"We'll talk later, Envoy," Esther says levelly. She glares viciously at Rawrii and Zoltan for half a moment. "Get to your… music lessons."

Envoy nods and trots after the Vykarin.

Zoltan quickly follows Envoy. He glances over his shoulder at Esther and merely nods a farewell.

Esther walks up the path, well behind Envoy and friends. She looks for Garrel and Remuel.

Zoltan gives Rawrii a good scratching on the head and makes a note to have a long talk with Envoy later.

A lupine head peeks from around a building. "What's up, boss?" It's Garrel.

Some vines rustle, and Remuel's head pokes out nearby.

Esther motions her two Jupani guards to come closer. "Whichever of the two of you is the stealthier, keep a sharp watch on that Vartan. He and Envoy – the Aeolun – are hiding something," she says quietly. "Report to me what you see and hear, and tell me who else is involved. And tell NO ONE else but me."

Garrel and Remuel nod and say in unison, "Will do, boss!" They immediately slip off, disappearing once more.

A few more flashes of light arc silently across the troubled, murky sky over the ancient ruins known as the City of Hands.