Spirits of the Earth

        Hiram Carter fancied himself an explorer and archeologist, bringing the lost treasures of the past to the modern world. When he had begun his journey, he was nothing more than a failed academic with big ideas. History, as a subject, was a rather indisputable one. The ideas of the masters on the great events of the world and lost civilizations left no room for hypothesis, no room to negotiate the facts. They were set on their truths, and when Hiram had come forward asking 'What if?', they had laughed at him, and quickly kicked him out.
        So Hiram had set off to prove them wrong, to discover the truths of the past and show them to the world at large. He was successful at discovering tombs and ruins that had been long forgotten, and had empirical evidence showing the truth of his claims. What he soon discovered however, was that the world at large didn't care what had happened in the past, and the scholars who had laughed at him refused to see his evidence. As it turned out though, the riches of the past were big sellers to the wealthy. Rich men and women the world over, loved to show rare pieces to their friends and associates at parties. The more jewel encrusted the better. So it was that the bookish Hiram Carter soon became an expert grave robber.
        Equipped with the knowledge of the academy he'd attended and the tenacity that had gotten him kicked out, Hiram explored dangerous ruins, and the forgotten burial places of kings. The more dangerous, the better the haul, and thus Hiram did not remain bookish for long. Twiggy limbs and the stoop of a bookworm were traded for tightly wound muscles and a strong back. His pale complexion darkened with constant exposure to the sun, and soon Hiram was drawing the eyes of the ladies. The travel and rough company he kept taught him to survive by his wits. And though he's still mostly a coward at heart, he has learned well the meaning of high stakes, high reward.
        Armed with a machete and a hand crossbow, Hiram found himself at the entrance of another lost tomb. This one, as it was, buried in the dunes of the Moraki Desert. The team of Essyrni men he'd hired had just cracked open the rock slab that covered the passage down into the tunnels of this long forgotten treasure trove. At least Hiram hoped it was a treasure trove. He'd spent the last year and a great deal of his own capital in locating this place. It was a good sign that it was discovered sealed, but some of the men were afraid to enter. The superstitious people of the sand country believed that curses would be visited upon any that desecrated the resting place of the ancient kings. Nonsense is what that was. Often Hiram found that a tomb was protected by magic, sometimes even had magical entities like a djinn or efreet, even demons or devils, bound to them as guardians. These were all the workings of men though, not curses from the beyond, just very real magics and traps.
        With a torch in one hand, and a list of notations in the other, Hiram began his descent into the darkness. He had told the men in their native tongue to stay behind him, and to be careful to step only on the tiles that he did. The entrance of this tomb was already lavishly decorated, precious metals and gems covered inlays and alcoves. This would be a great haul, if he survived the deterrents set in place by the builders. It wasn't all the jewels set at the opening to the tunnel, or even the vast treasures that he hoped that lie within that had brought Hiram to this location. It was the promise of the find of his life. The ancient king buried here, was said to have lived hundreds of years. For many of the magical races of the world, that was not extraordinary. This long dead king however, was reportedly human, through and through. He was kept young by a magical amulet that stopped his aging. As the legend went, he had guarded the secret of his youth from everyone, and the mage that had created the medallion, took the secret to his grave. Over the years he was nearly worshiped as a god king, that is until his youth had evaporated overnight. One of his many wives, not knowing the magic of the necklace, had removed it in his sleep to have it polished. When he awoke, the king was an old man, and fading fast. Even returning the amulet to its place around his neck was not enough to keep death at bay. The grand tomb that he thought he'd never use, was soon sealed with his newly interred mummy inside, the amulet around his neck. This was the sort of artifact he'd have to keep for himself, no matter its worth in gold, eternity was worth so much more.
        As he crept along, taking every precaution with his steps, Hiram couldn't help be excited. He wasn't sure the four carts outside would be enough to carry all the wealth within the tomb, and he would soon have his hands on the eternity he'd need to spend it all. Just when he was beginning to feel that everything was going perfectly, one of the hired workers stepped off the careful path. His greed to much to be dampened by his superstitions, the man ran to a statue, encrusted with rubies and diamonds, and began to pry the gems off with a knife. He'd been lucky that he didn't set off any of the traps, but the man who chose to follow him was not. One wrong step, and magical wards activated, bringing quick doom to the narrow passageway they were all in. The gem covered statues were in fact golems. The one being looted of its adornments lifted its jeweled fists and brought them down on the head of the would be looter. He stood no chance at all, and the arm he lifted to protect himself was broken just as his head was smashed like a melon.
        The group had passed several such golems, and it seemed that in activating one, the rest came to life as well. Two more stood between Hiram and the cavernous room at the end of the passageway. He knew he could not fight them, and he knew that there were other traps in the hall as well, but there was little he could do. The cavern was closer than the entrance and so Hiram did what a smart coward would do, he ran. As he made many missteps, spears flew from holes in the walls, fire shot forth a few times, and even a pit of spikes opened up. Hiram was fast and strong from years of exploring, and his quick reflexes kept him alive. His hired hands were not so lucky. Of them all, only two survived, the least likely by Hiram's opinion. Short and fat, or hunched and weasely, didn't seem to make for the types to make it through the gauntlet they had just survived. The bodies of the other five lay mutilated or burned by the many traps that had sprung. The golems were now returning to their places of rest, the recent threat had gone beyond their notice.
        Hiram reached out and pulled the lever set in the wall at the end of the chamber. According to his notes from the texts and maps he'd read, it would deactivate all the traps, so they could exit without incident. Too bad the switch was on this end, and not at the entrance. The builders probably felt that would make the traps pointless, but Hiram liked the idea. He then turned to his last companions offering them his hand. He had not really interacted with the men, or known any of their names. Coming through this together seemed an important hurdle to cross, and he would be glad to know the names of these men.
        "I think it's time proper introductions were given", Hiram said in flawless Essyrni, "as you know, I am Hiram Carter. And what are your names good sirs?" The short, fat man took his hand first, he had a firm grip and looked right into Hirams eyes as he introduced himself. Hiram could see the bravery in this man as he stood before him.
        "I am Tennin asu Menaka am'Eliak am'Donen," the man said as he shook Hiram's hand, "I hope the pay is worth all this trouble. My two wives will kill me if I happen to survive and don't bring home enough to feed our children in the coming months." Hiram smirked at the comment. In Essyrn, men all but owned their wives, but most men knew that to lead a happy life, one must keep their wives happy.
        "I assure you that your wives will be pleased with the riches you will bring home," Hiram nodded to Tennin, and then offered his hand to the weasely looking man.
        "Ressick asu Chenan am'Tonu am'Donen," was all the hunched man said. He gave no introduction but his name, and his hand was clamy as he limply shook it with Hiram's.
        "Donen," Hiram asked, "am I to take it you gentlemen are related?"
        "Distant cousins," Ressick replied.
        "Very distant," Tennin corrected. The derision was apparent in his voice. Though they were of the same tribe, it was obvious to Hiram, that Tennin was not pleased to have Ressick in his family tree. He wondered what that was about.
        "Well gentleman," Hiram said to the men as he lit a lamp inlaid in the wall, "it's time I showed you some of what we came for." As he finished his words, the fire in the lamp spread down a hidden channel in the wall, lighting the lamps in the chamber. Soon all the lamps were ablaze, and the vast chamber was bathed in light. There was even more riches than Hiram had expected, and the breath of all three men was caught in their throats as they looked upon it.

Hiram Carter was making a name for himself, and it was only a matter of time before a certain woman heard the rumors about a budding new archaeologist. Though she was intrigued by the ideals and theories he preached, she was in no means less charmed by what he was after. Though both sought the tombs of ancient kings- each had their own reasons. Though where Mr. Carter sought to preserve his soul forever, she sought to find one.

Being 'soulless' was a lot more complicated than one could imagine, and the scholarly thief was by no means less attracted to the history behind her finds, however, that was only just an added bonus to her field of expertise. As much as it also thrilled her to be apart of the hunt and to outwit men of such high class and life experiences, it seemed they all fumbled for the reasons.

A pretty face, a pretty look-
it was a shame- even if the men had been pretty themselves, there was just nothing there to compel her towards anything outside of just enough flirting to get herself the stolen goods that she desired. Now, finding herself traveling through the Moraki Desert on her lonesome, it gave her quite a lot of time to contemplate her own thoughts on life. She just hoped the desert remained as tranquil as the night had been, for the beauty of the night sky did nothing to deter her from her quest. If anything, it cemented it. Surely the Gods had a reason for why she was- but this reason-s he may never know.


But that was last night. And last night she had been lucky. Even still, she was holding her breath. Her luck had to carry her through much more than just the length of the famous desert unscathed. It was said an ancient king lived here- out ont he western tier- and whether the relic was truly magically or not that resided here was none of her concern. It wasn't eternal youth, life and beauty she was after-
But something it seemed everyone had been born with.

She was after a soul.


Finding a soul could be bother some and quite tedious, and while Aurora Jane had been gathering a reputation for being an antiquities thief (and quite an aloof but famous one); not all of the treasures she found yielded the thing she was looking for. For she was not a woman seeking treasure and jewels- but the value of antiquital dust. And it was in this dust there were the fragments of souls. ANd cleverly, she had just hte right equipment to see it.

Now if this find proved fruitful in this 'soul dust', naturally this Hiram Carter would be out one certain medallion. Not that it mattered much to her. The man probably had a soul- even if it might be compromisable. (for even a man or woman with a soul wasn't necessary worthy of it- this much she believed by the things she had come to witness over the years) And wer eit not for her father's support, she wasn't sure where she would be now.

And she supposed it was arguable that her being soulless meant nothing. But to someone like Aurora Jane- it meant the whole world. Without a soul- you might as well be a nameless.

Fetching up a pair of peculiar looking spectacles, she placed htem ont he bridge of her nose and peered over at the hidden ruins from afar. She slipped one lens over the other, one set enlarging her green eyes while the other made them smaller.

"Hrm..." She snatched the glasses from her face. "No dust."
But that was outside. She had to find a way to get in. And she had just the perfect plan-

Tombs were dangerous. She was no fool to try to sneak into this one alone. Where there might be curses and booby trap and ancient magics? No thank you! She preferred the more dramatic approach, and while the men were all inside gallivanting around, acting like 'heroes'; she threw herself from her camel, and punched herself across the face.

Moments later, her long, spiraling sprigs of red hair were in a tossed mess about her face, she had bruises and scratches all over her person,a nd her lips was bleeding, so was her nose. ANd her clothing was torn- but naturally, in just the right places. She had to be convincing, after all. But she also had to play her cards right. And using her feminine wiles was hardly beneath her. Scaring off her camel, she dragged herself over towards the men's own animals tethered out front while she swallowed down some sand to dry out her mouth and scratch at her throat, and the crawl got her heart racing- Yes, she was fully involved her in role now.
She had to play the convincing damsel in distress, after all.

        Upon her arrival at the animals, tethered to the carts, Aurora Jane, would find no men. Only two had not joined Hiram as he entered the tomb. Hearing the screams from below, the two men had climbed on their camels and fled, not looking back at all. What sane man would remain when they knew that everyone they had come with was surely dead? What sane man, that had narrowly survived such an ordeal would move forward. Hiram Carter never claimed to be sane, but he was driven.
        Tennin and Ressick joined Hiram as he crept forward through the passages that went past the treasure room. Ressick had nearly left, the weasel of a man wished to fill his pack with gold and flee this place. It was only Hiram's assurance that the greatest treasure of all lie deep within, sealed in the kings sarcophagus. They had passed through several smaller rooms, also lavishly adorned, that had contained servants. They had been mummified and interred with the forgotten king, to serve him in the afterlife. Hiram found the practice barbaric, but it was common for kings of many ancient cultures to do similar. One group would burn a virgin alive on a boat with the kings corpse. She felt honored to go to the afterlife with him. More superstitious nonsense.
        Tennin kept pace with Hiram. Twice he had noticed traps just before Hiram had blundered into them. It was not often that he missed them, and he was glad to have Tennin with him. Perhaps the man would consider a permanent position as his assistant. With two wives though, it would be hard to convince Tennin to a life spent mostly on the road. The riches and the adventure were great though, they might be enough to sway the man.
        "I'm tired, can we rest?" Ressick complained quite a lot. He and Tennin had nearly come to blows a number of times, and it was all Hiram could do to keep the short man from throttling his weaselly cousin.
        "According to my notes," Hiram said flipping through the small notebook he carried, "the final resting place should be just around this next corner. The seventh chamber, for the seventh pillar of heaven." Ressick made an annoyed scoff. He clearly had little faith in Hiram, though his notes had kept them alive. Not including the blunder in the entrance. That had not been his fault though. He told them to be careful and follow him through. Some men just can't control themselves. Hiram never had that problem.
        As they came around the next corner, they found that once again Hiram had been correct. At the end of the hall were two large gold doors. The metal was so pure that Hiram was afraid they'd mar it if they were too rough. Gold was very malleable after all. The doors were locked by a large mechanism on the front. In the center was a place for a key. Hiram reached into his shirt and pulled forth a beautiful medallion. As he stepped up to the doors, Tennin and Ressick could see that it was actually cut to fit into the key slot. Finding this key, was what had set Hiram on the hunt to find this tomb in the first place. It was the piece of evidence he needed to convince him that the legends were at least based on fact. After a year of searching, he had finally found it. Now was the moment of truth.
        He placed the medallion into its slot and turned it. It clicked, and three tumblers fell, revealing a panel with six wheels. The second part of the lock. It wasn't enough to have the key, you also had to have the right combination of symbols. He consulted his notes, including the fresh ones he had taken as they came through the tomb. Tennin held the torch for him while Ressick nervously kneaded his oily hands together. While most of the tomb had been lit by the oil in the walls, this room had remained dark, and Hiram was glad for the assistance. He was fairly sure he had the combination down correctly, his notes were extensive, so he started to turn the wheels. First a raven, second a toad, next a scarab, then the sun, followed by a dragon, and finally the moon. When the last symbol was selected there was a loud groaning and rumbling as the locks inside the doors came undone. When the cacophony had ceased Hiram put his hands on the doors and pushed. They were perfectly weighted, and swung in with ease.
        The sight of the room was breath taking. Even more so than the vast treasure in that first cavernous room. The room was bright and airy, like a garden, and that's basically what it was. Magic lights danced in the air, enchanted to never stop glowing, bathing the room in artificial sunlight. A packed dirt path led to an awe inspiring fountain that was bubbling with fresh water. Just beyond that, four trellises covered in grape vines surrounded a garden pavilion. The rest of the room had vegetables and flowers growing amongst a grassy field. Near the entrance were four different fruit bearing trees, pomegranate, pear, peach, and fig. The walls and ceiling were decorated in such a fashion to continue the illusion that this room was an oasis outside, with fluffy clouds and grassy hills. Beyond the trellises and the pavilion, Hiram thought he could see a pen of goats and a chicken coup. This was way beyond what he expected.
        Surely a kings resting place would be beautifully decorated with gems and precious metals, but a garden seemed farfetched. This didn't seem like the sort of place you'd put a sarcophagus at all. It was more like the sort of place a rich northerner would retire to. Tennin was as stunned as Hiram, the two men stood staring at the plants and grass around them. Ressick wandered slowly up the path to the fountain. He sniffed at the sparkling water, then dipped his hand in drinking a sip. After a moment, and the realization that the water was indeed fresh, he began gulping it down and laughing. It was at this time that Hiram noticed they weren't alone. Lounging under the fig tree was an old man. He looked to be in his nineties, and he was licking the last traces of a fruit from his hand. He sat up and looked at the men, then smiled at Hiram. When he spoke, the words came out slow, like it was hard for him to remember how to form the words. It was obviously an ancient form of Essyrni, and it took Hiram a moment to understand.
        "Welcome to my home. I expected I would have visitors much sooner. How long has it been since the world forgot I was here?"

Aurora was surprised to find only two men at the animals- and before she could confront them- they had taken off running. Watching in dismay as she was eating their dirt, she coughed and waved a hand through the burst of dust and wilted a bit at this find and grunted. She guessed those men were no hero types. She should have known better. Maybe she should have tried a new tactic against this sort of tomb thief? It seemed they were just the greedy sort.

Essyrnis! How uncivilized! WIth her hands now on her hips, she turned towards the open mouth of the tomb. Part of her wondered if it was even worth the efforts. She didn't actually want to put herself in danger. She was smart enough to know tombs held many traps, but she had to wonder just how long she might have to wait outside for any others to come out-
If any at all.

        The four men, Hiram, Tennin, Ressick, and the ancient king, now sat together eating fish and vegetables that a magic servant had cooked in rich butter and seasoned with garlic and pepper. There were extensive gardens, ponds, and animal pens in many rooms that had not been mentioned in Hiram's studies. It was amazing, and beyond belief. The old king had lost his vitality when the amulet had been removed, but putting it back on had stopped his aging. He had decided to retire here, and have himself declared dead, since there was no way he could defend his throne any longer. Over the years he had long forgotten his own name, just as history had, but Hiram had noted it on the door to the burial chamber. Shqiponjë asu Ujk am'Lumi am'Botëror, the longest reigning ruler of the ancient empire that once filled the desert, was sharing a meal and casual conversation with him. Hiram felt like he was in a dream. Upon reminding the old king of his name, the ancient man got a faraway look in his eyes, as he remembered when he was last addressed by it. His many wives and children had not called him by his name. He was Lord Husband, Lord Father, Lord Ruler, or any other number of titles. The last person to call him by any other name was his mother. Shqip she had called him, and it was Shqip he asked the three men to address him as. Hiram had been disappointed that the amulet was still in use, but he was not so greedy for immortality that he did not value the wealth of knowledge that this man held for him. All his years of study could not compare. He'd be able to definitively prove so much that even though it would not likely be appreciated in his lifetime, the world would never forget his discovery. King Shqip had even said that they could take all the riches that were in the massive vault. He had no need for the wealth that had been buried with him. All he could ever need was held here, in his suites.
        After the men had shared a meal with the legendary king, they bid him a temporary farewell, and headed out to begin the process of loading the wagons with the mountains of wealth. The three men would now be wealthy beyond imagining. The dangers of traveling the desert with riches were enumerable, but it was unlikely that they would come into contact with bandits or marauders this far from the paths between the oases. In any case, Hiram had spent a good amount of his saved wealth on wagons that were magically warded against distant sight. Once the wards were activated you'd have to be a few feet from them to see they were there. Back in Essyrn, Hiram had purchased a small home that had a massive vault built beneath it. Vaults were common in the Jewel of the Desert, and when purchasing a place as his home base, it had been the underground storage space he focused on.
        Most of the wards and traps had been deactivated on the journey in, but there were a few rooms where they could never be disabled. Tennin and Ressick were very careful to follow Hirams lead as they made the return trip, and once they had made it to the vault room, they were home free. All three men began filling the sacks they had carried in with gold and jewels to bursting. They had all they could carry loaded on their backs and in their arms as they stepped gingerly through the mess of bodies that had been their compatriots. The sun was set, but the torches had not been lit. This could only mean that the men that had been left behind to guard the entrance had fled. All there was to light the entrance was the distant glow from the oil burning far behind them, and the moon and stars above.

And the second the men stepped out of that ruined temple- gun shots were flying everywhere. Wild woops and hollerings came from all around, and horses and kaadir alike were cutting viciously across the sands.  This was NOT exactly how Aurora Jane had anticipated this little exertion to go. Quite frankly, beating herself up was about as far as she would have liked and pretending someone had pillaged her and her things- but now that a group of Connlaothian explorers showed up she was cursing herself for being so stupid. Because, well, she knew these men,a nd had to wonder if it was her fault that brought them here. After all, she was less discrete in following this new target, Hiram Carter, and now,s he might very well be shot and killed in the desert. And though that was an exotic and interesting way to die, she wasn't exactly prepared to make that sacrifice. At least not yet. Not when she was so... so... soulless.

So one thing lead to another and she found herself crawling her way into the entrance of the temple- just as shit was hitting the fan. And it was here, she found herself realizing there was a second band of mercenaries cresting the sand dunes, which made her sigh with relief. Thank the Gods those bullets were not meant for her! And now that the Connloathian party was thoroughly distracted by these other, desert bandits, she began to rush her way deeper inside the temple. She had presumed those who had gone in were surely never to come out- probably now long dead from the traps set forth (traps of which she could see the evidence of as she shook her head and began to scramble through her bag of things). What sort of fool goes into a temple and does not check for traps?

No, no, she had a job to do- and minimal time in procuring it, so once she fetched up her soul seeing spectacle (a gargantuan sort of thing, ugly in it's construction, with several, flipping lenses that could fit over her face), she secured it over the bridge of her nose and began to look into the darkness of hte Temple-
and that's when Hiram and his men were heading her way. Gasping, she threw herself behind a large statue to hide from them. So these men were still alive? What could they have possibly been doing in there that took so long...?
And with a gasp,s he noticed something sparkle within their treasure pouches.

Adjusting the lenses, she noticed the man in the back was the one carrying a treasure she desired, and then, without thinking- she realized the group was wandering straight into the gun fight.
"WAIT!" She said, throwing herself at the group- and forgetting to take off her peculiar glasses when she mis-stepped and fell right into Hiram's arms. Her green eyes probably looked about ten times their size as she peered up at him, red curly hair in a pretty mess about her face.

"Don't go out there! There are men with guns!" And as if to emphasize her point, some of the gun fire ricocheted into the mouth of the temple as she suddenly, and most unlady-like, tackled Hiram to the ground.

"We have to hide back inside the temple. NOW!"
And if this safe haven proved fruitful for her snatching up the soul-encrusted piece of heritage, so be it! She had two agendas anyway-
Find more bits of soul dust to add to her collection...
and not to die.
Seemed pretty doable, considering.

"Well what are you doing standing there!? RUN!"

        So they did, they turned away from the entrance, away from the fighting, and they ran back in. Once they were through the hall, Hiram flipped the switch that reactivated the traps. Nobody was getting down that hall alive without extensive knowledge of how to navigate it properly. When his panting had passed and his surprise with it, he turned to the buxom woman.
        "Who the hell are you, and what's with the fighting?"

"Oh, aren't you a proper gentleman!" The woman retorted. "Shouldn't a man offer his name first?" And her eyes glimmered a bit playfully. Oh, wasn't he a handsome one? This should be fun..
But oh.. He did ask her a question.
"And the fighting? I haven't the slightest idea. It was all just chaos! Chaos everywhere! And Connlaothian Chaos, but the sound of it." She gave a sniff, hoping that was enough to distract him from the details she had not yet figured out for her extensive lie.

SHe'd need a story.
And a name.

For what good was a story without a good name for our heroine?

        Hiram was not a gentleman by any stretch, and made no claims to it. This buxom woman comes running in, all disheveled and bleeding, and claimed not to know what the fighting was about. Sounded like a trap to him, and he dealt with traps with traps quickly and decisively. He took a step further back from her and pulled his hand crossbow from his side.
        "I think you ought to put your hands up and take a step back lady," Hiram said as he trailed the crossbow at the woman, "now just who the hell are you, and how did you find this place so far from the oasis trails?"

It figures he was a smart one and she moved cautiously as the man goes for his weapon.
"What? You can't think I'd throw myself so foolishly at antiquities with gun fire would you? Oh, no, that would never do! I am a freelancer you could say," And here, she slowed down in her wording, choosing her words carefully. "I.. well, my father always said I had a knack for loving the dead, and I heard some things about some sort of expedition out here and well..... I guess you could blame me for all of this for I hadn't realized I had been being followed, but you must believe my innocence! I'm merely here on a quest to quench my thirst over the secrets left unfound, out here- in these ancient sands."

And she made is sound so grand, for it really was-
But heck, that was so not why she was there. And as she spoke, she slowly did put her hands up when she finally got around to admitting,

"Hebera. Hebera Henry." And her smile broadened. "And you... sir, are you...an, a... well, a real explorer?" And oh how did her eyes sparkle when forced! She just hoped she wasn't over doing it, she normally wasn't this... well, so horrible at her false identities and stories. But hey, there was gun fire and real danger and she- just a bit TOO close to it all.
"But you name? Might I... inquire what it is?"

        Hiram squinted his eyes at her. Something seemed off. She sure was eager to please. He'd have to keep an eye on her, but from the look of it she didn't seem deadly, and there were three of them here.
        "Hebera Henry? Weirdly familiar name." He lowered his crossbow, keeping it in hand still. "I'm Hiram Carter, Freelance Archaeologist. I told very few people about this expedition. How'd you learn of it?"

At this, the woman's lips twitched as her smile grew.
"I have very clever resources,"s he told him proudly. And that part, was soundly true. But it did not mean she wished to embellish on it- even well.. though she did. It would ruin the act and give away who she was, after all. And stealth here was key. Let him trust her, let him allow her to get close so she could get to the artifact she most desired.

He had a soul anyway, so what would he care to lose a little bit of soul dust? It's not like he could see it anyway.

        "Sure you do." Hiram still didn't trust this woman, Hebera Henry, if that was her real name. Trust was a commodity he was short on. He hung his crossbow from his hip anyhow, and took up a spot in which he could watch for anyone coming down the hall. Thankfully the three men had eaten so well recently. If it came down to it, they could return to the kings chamber, and sup with him again.
        "I suppose we wait here for the fighting to stop or pass," Hiram said to his two companions. The men looked at him, and then at Hebera. They set down the bags filled with gold and jewels. They kept their distance from the newcomer, but Ressick's eye took on a lecherous gleam, as he eyed her ample bosom.

Well, it certainly wasn't the first time a man looked at her that way. And she knew it would not be the last. And her job was far more easier when men played that way- and though she would have adored flirting with the much more handsome Mr. Carter, Ressick might have to do in a pinch. She was here for one thing, after all. And business was business.

"Yes, it seems most wise. I mean, I don't know about the rest of you, but I certainly don't want to become swiss cheese." And peering about at the lot of them, she then remembered her spectacles and swiftly put them away. Blushing slightly, she cleared her throat. "Ah, my reading glasses. Sometimes I even need them for distance."

Okay, she immediately felt silly for that statement, but maybe she could just play it off as bein a dumb blonde this time...

Except well, she wasn't in costume. And thankfully, none of these men had any idea of who she was.

"So... if we are to remain here for... a time," she said, proceeding delicately. "Should we all get to know one another's names?" And seh purposely turned to Ressick first and gave a deep sigh, one to help swell up and accentuate her breasts from where they now appeared to be almost bursting from the confines of her shirt.

        The greasy, hunched, weasel of a man, jumped at the opportunity to introduce himself. He reached out and grabbed Hebera's hand with his clammy, talon light fingers.
        "I am Ressick. I am very pleased to meet you." He pressed a lecherous kiss to the back of her hand, and held on just long enough to be creepy, before finally releasing her.
        "Tennin," was all the other man said, but he inclined his head politely. He deferred to Hiram. If the explorer didn't trust her, then neither did he, but that didn't mean he'd behave rudely. As for the heaving breasts, he was taken in by them even less than Hiram. Tennin preferred his women with a bit of meat. This one was all skin and bones, even with the large bust, at least to him. Truth was, Tennin liked his women fat.
        "Well that's all the introductions we need," Hiram said, not hiding his impatience. He sat near the lever, nobody would flip it as long as he kept guard, nobody was going to steal his discovery.

Thankfully this was all just pretend, but Ressick was down right foul. But she tried not to let.her pleasant mask slip as she asked the men again, "So what sorts of ancient treasures have you boy's found, eh? The untouched tomb of an ancient king? A lost temple?"

        Hiram was still suspicious, but he was ever eager to discuss history, and tombs. At her question, he found himself answering.
        "This is the burial tomb of King Shqiponjë asu Ujk am'Lumi am'Botëror," he said proudly. They were standing in perhaps the most sought after tomb in all of history, and he had discovered it. Of course he left out the part about Shqip still being alive down in his suites, and that they plundered its treasure with his permission. No need to let those secrets out.

"The tomb of King Shqiponjë asu Ujk am'Lumi am'Botëror!?" she replied without missing a beat. Her eyes went wide. She had an idea they might be finding something grand out here, but truly his tomb!? "Surely you must have found some handsome treasure down there to prove such a feat?"

        "Treasure as proof," Ressick said, as if that was a small thing compared to the truth. "We found more than just treasure." Hiram fiercely stepped on Ressick's foot, and Tennin clamped his hand over his cousins shoulder. "What my cousin means to say, is we found mountains of treasure."

Aurora wasn't buying it. And now she had proof of it. Men were such bad liars, the lot of them, but she gave them all a pretty smile anyway.
"Treasure is nice and all, but what about the antiquities? Surely you've found something of historical significance aside from simply treasure. You know.." she went on, pressing the issue while stepping just a little bit closer towards Hiram and his men. "Like ancient bones, or a mummy. Or I don't know, maybe even some crown from your pile of treasure. Does the idea you are finding history not appeal to you? Any of you?" And she looked at each of the men expectantly.

        This woman was being a bit too pushy, and a bit too inquisitive for Hiram's liking. He snatched up his tiny crossbow once more and aimed it at her chest.
        "I don't know you lady, and I surely don't trust you," he gave her a disgusted face then, "I will not tell you about the artifacts of this place. They are more valuable to the historians of the world than any ever before discovered. Now just stay back from me."

Aurora's eyes nearly went cross at the sight of the cross bow aimed at her and she rose her hands in defeat.
"Now, now, let's not do anything hasty. I'm not here to harm you or your men. Or even the artifacts. I haven't even a weapon on me!" Though most of what she did have on her, the... peculiar 'equipment' she carried, as it were, was basically harmless. And she did carry a knife on her boot. Though a knife against a crossbow or guns? She was not so foolish.

        This woman was definitely hiding something. Hiram was sure of it now. Tennin eyed her warily as well. He trusted Hiram's judgement completely. Ressick on the other hand, still eyed Hebera's breasts greedily. Foolish man would stick his hand in a lions mouth if he thought there were breasts to fondle. "What's your interest in artifacts anyway?" Hiram asked with little effort to hide his suspicions. He'd killed his share of backstabbers and swindlers that had tried to cheat him or steal his finds. Perhaps he should preempt this woman's schemes with a crossbow bolt to that ample bosom.

OOC: IF you want, feel free to have them search her XD
She she has a ton of awkward gadgets that help her see the soul dust she is after. She has her spectacles (Which I thnk are ontop of her head?), probably a pendant and a compass that's been altered to help her with directions towards the 'dust'. Stuff like that XD
And probably bags for the loot lol

------

"But I've already said!" 'Hebera' went on to say, keeping her hands up where he could see them. "My father works with antiquities and I simply was following in his foot steps. Call me a bit of an adventurer myself, but I can't ignore rumors when I hear them! I just knew something ust be out here. I mean, if you had a love for the historical arts and realized there could be the find of a century, would you not be curious enough to check it out?"

A few bullets ricocheted into the temple ruins, seeming too close for comfort as Aurora flinched.
"But I do have to apologize. I wonder if my enthusiasm tipped off these most unwelcomed fellows with guns."

        "If they plan on heading in here, I only hope they thin each other out. The fewer there are, the less of a chance they have to escape the traps." Hiram put is crossbow back on his hip again. He decided only to draw it if the woman grew threatening or tried to go for the lever he guarded. He looked down the long corridor, hoping the men would pass, listening to their matchlocks going off every few moments as they reloaded the slow firing weapons.
        "If they do enter, we will take cover so they cannot see us, and any that get lucky enough to escape the traps will be taken by surprise when they get close to us."

"We can't just go deeper into the tomb?" she asked, turning towards him. "I mean, if we keep going deeper... wouldn't it be safer?"

        "If we go further in, and someone gets through the traps, nobody will be here to stop them," Hiram told the woman calling herself Hebera. He settled in, sitting against the wall, though not comfortably. "I'd prefer to be here just in case."

"Stop them? Stop them from what?"
Was there something bigger here than he was letting on? It was definitely something that piqued her interest...
and she knew the thing she sought had to be in his hands...
and if not..
Well, hopefully she could just, you know, use this man to get it! It wasn't like the dust she was collecting was of any value to him anyway...

The poor sod probably had a soul of his own. Most humans, you know.. did.

        "Stop them from killing us," Hiram said plainly, "and from taking the largest haul anyone has ever seen and lived to tell about. They'd likely sack the place, and destroy artifacts they found to be worthless, that are in reality valuable pieces of history. I will not cower in a corner, while tomb robbers destroy a past I've so long wished to prove. This find is going to make us very rich, and I'll also be very famous. I found him, when nobody else could. I found the legendary immortal desert king."

Aurora snorted.
"Well I think our lives are a bit more valuable than the treasure here." But even as she spoke it, even she wasn't so reassured. After all.. if she were to die without a soul- what was to become of her then? But as the man went on to talk about fame and fortune, she frowned at him-
that was, until he admitted the last thing.

"What makes you think this is truly his tomb?" she asked, and hunched down suddenly as a 'bullet' ricocheted above their heads.

        "We found him down there in- ACK!" Hiram kicked the back of Ressick's knee, from his sitting position, and the weasel of a man collapsed to the ground. He turned and scowled at Hiram as he rubbed at his scuffed legs. Hiram returned the scowl, with daggers in his eyes, and then did his best to control the damage.
        "We found his burial chamber," Hiram said with a sigh. "The deepest point in the tomb. His name is clearly spelled out on the door, with plenty of ancient warnings of curses. There was also a depiction of his tale of immortality, and its loss." The freelance archaeologist told the truth, he just left out the part about the king still being alive down there. He would do his best to preserve that secret.

Aurora wasn't so ignorant not to get what was going on, but she would never have guessed the full truth anyway. It was just a myth, after all- the immortality, that is. But again,s he was only interested in dust, and as she grit her teeth and peered from over the side, she muttered, "Either way, we shouldn't let these men near such a find. They'd take every last bone from the tomb if it meant even getting a cent using it as fire wood." She shook her head. "A shame they're dangerous and notorious tomb robbers. And... I hate to say it, but I think they might have us out numbered."
Considering they were but a few and that group? Well.. there was at least a dozen or more men who had been following her. She could only hope Hiram was right- and perhaps the traps would take care of most of hte men if they pursued.

        "If many of them make it to the entrance here," Hiram began, "I'll shoot a bolt into one of the jeweled golems that stand there." He pointed at the gem encrusted sentries. "They won't leave the entrance, but if they are touched they wil come to life and kill anything in there. Should the men try to run to here, they will have to survive the other traps as well. Many of the panels cause painful death." The bodies of the men that had died in the chamber still lay there, mangled as they were. Perhaps that would be deterrent enough.

"Sentries?" Aurora repeated. "Seems this place is heavily guarded. But that makes sense. The immortal king was very important. But who's to say the sentries won't turn on us once they're through with those men?"

        "As far as I can surmise, the sentries will not come out of the entry tunnel," Hiram said, "but if I'm wrong, there's nothing to worry about. This switch," he indicated the lever he sat by, "will deactivate all the traps in the tunnel, including the golems."

Aurora made a mental note of that and gave a nod.
"You're very perceptive. Have you been doing this sort of work long?" she found herself having to ask with a smirk.

        "I took up this work," Hiram said the word with disdain, "to prove the fools that study history that there was more than one possibility of how the past happened. All they believe is the nonsense in their books and tomes from stories centuries old. Nobody actually explores the past for truth. They are happy to be blind to the reality that history was written by those with power." An ugly sneer grew on his face as he spoke of it. It was a source of great frustration for him. "But it turns out that those fools don't care for the truth. Even when I brought discoveries that proved the written histories false, they still denied it. So I do this for me, and those like me, that seek knowledge and truth. The wealth discovered on the way, makes hiring greedy men easy. Tennin here is a rare find. A man that seeks wealth not for wealth's sake, but to support his family."
        Hiram eyed the woman he knew as Hebera curiously. Why was she really here? He suspected that very few looked past such an attractive face and body to seek what lay deeper. "I have never come across a woman that was interested in these endeavors. I'd say you're as rare a find as this tomb. What got you interested in grave robbing?"

"Grave robbing?" Aurora laughed. "Such a despicable word, is it not? From the way you phrase it, shouldn't you be calling it a rescue mission?" And she gave him a smirk, and didn't quite answer his question, purposefully dodging it as she looked at him with those pretty green eyes of hers.

        The pretty green eyes were not lost on Hiram. He liked the beautiful gems in her face, but he didn't trust them. This conversation seemed harmless enough to him though, and so he didn't mind looking at her pretty face. He could appreciate the beauty of a venomous snake, but knew better than to get too close without the right tool to protect himself. He equipped his most disarming smile, before venturing forth. He'd wade carefully into this.
        "The priceless artifacts are rescued, the history is rescued," Hiram agreed, "The gold and gems, however, are plundered to pay for the expedition," Hiram admitted. "I am not wealthy, and have no benefactor. I must make a living. So I rob the graves of dead men so that I might preserve them in the process," he shrugged, and waved the thought away with a gesture. "What other term could I use? It is important to be honest with one's self, even if you lie to others."

She couldn't help but note what he was referring to in his last statement, and something in her eyes stirred.  Did he know she was lying? Or did he just happen to choose such words perfectly?
She found her smile growing all the more before saying, "I suppose no one could argue with that. But it seems to me you aren't the only one seeking treasures here, and I don't know if we could stay in this tomb all day. Is there nothing we can do to help deter this men into leaving earlier? No traps you know that are set nearer to the entrance we could set off? No scary noises we could make to echo inside the cave to make them think some creature of the dead is here to chase them?" And the last part was said in jest as her eyes sparkled a bit. This job was a bit fun. Better than the last one. She had nearly lost her big toe!

        "There are none," Hiram told her. "Those not inside, are perfectly safe. Hopefully the mess of corpses will be enough to deter your pursuers. Who is it that they are fighting with out there?"

"Well, we can wager the Connlaothians have the guns, but I'd dare guess the others are simple, desert folk- probably protecting some sacred oasis or water source that the foreigners are defiling," she told him simply with a shrug. "Your guess is as good as mine. I just came out her on a whim, but again, I must apologize, because I'm certain they could have followed me out here. I wasn't exactly expecting to be followed and I'm sure the foreigners saw that I was a foreigner and probably assumed I was simply here for buried treasure. You know what they say about those Connlaothians in Essyrn..."
Considering if they were to travel this far, they obviously were hoping to find something big!

"But I must admit, it was not the foreigners who attacked me, but the locals. Perhaps they presumed I was with the Connlaothians. I mean, I hardly look Essyrni, so I can't blame them for such assumptions!"

        Hiram was bored and tired. He couldn't help being annoyed at Aurora's words. If she hadn't come out here, on a whim or otherwise, he'd be loading up carts and preparing to depart with mountains of treasure. From the outside they could hide the entrance, but then they'd have to face whatever bandits were out there. He settled in on the floor, getting as comfortable as possible, and then closed his eyes.
        "Feel free to get some rest Hebera. I will be," Hiram said to her. "If you could keep watch Tennin. I'm going to close my eyes for a bit. Wake me if anything important happens."

"You can honestly sleep at a time like this?" For this,s he had to smile and turned to Tennin with an observant gaze. It was atypical of the man to pull such a stunt, and she wasn't sure if he was testing her, or really that crazy. It took at least another hour and a half before the shooting had ceased, and by then, Aurora was holding her breath. She glanced over at Tennin, who, as was charged, remained awake long enough to witness this as well. The pair both glanced out towards where the gun shots had once been going off- before a light hissing noise was heard.

Before Tennin knew what was going on, smoke had already rose up from the ground and hoovered over the men like a fog. Aurora had dawned a peculiar contraption about her face as hse peered down at the gassed men who would, by now, undoubtably be sleeping like babies. She didn't wait for too long to strike as she moved hurriedly between them and into their things, dawning her peculiar spectacles from earlier and switching about between the lenses as she looked through Hiram's treasure.

So far, the first bag proved fruitless, that was until she lifted up what seemed to be an empty, amber jar. Her eyes lit up as she shifted one lense in front of the other, observing the small sparkling remnant of a soul trapped within. She didn't waste too much time in admiring it before slipping the object into her sack and hoping to make herself scarce. No sense in disturbing the rest of his fine valuables. She got the one she came for, after all. But as she moved to leave, her foot got caught on something and she turned around to observe another pillaged sack.

She couldn't help but be tempted to see what was in this bag, and hurriedly she untied and began to rummage through. And she could not believe it as she gasped outloud-
There was a BIG piece of soul dust in here, and all of her lenses were exposing it!

Hurriedly, she interlocked each lens together to get a better look at the thing, as she groped around inside the bag before pulling out a silver, sapphire ring. She could have choked on her smile. Something so small could contain so much soul.... Hurriedly, she placed it into her pouch and turned to look at the still slumbering forms of the men behind her. She counted off on them again before glancing around to see what other treasure there imght be. She put her glasses back on, and upon seeing nothing of value, she disappeared outside of the tomb.

        Hiram was a light sleeper, the hiss of the smoke and the odd smell in the air awoke him, but only for a moment. He had time to register that something was wrong, and see Tennin slump over. Then he was unconscious once more, lulled to sleep by the smoke Hebera had released into the room. When Hiram awoke, for he was the first to shake off the affects of the smoke, he roused his companions. Hebera was long gone, and they had been lucky that the men outside had not come in after Hebera had left. Hiram headed outside and began loading the remaining cart with treasure. Tennin and Ressick soon joined him, and the trio made several trips back to the vault of gold.
        Their single cart made barely a dent in the hoard. They had found nothing significant missing after the disappearance of Hebera, but they did not linger. Tennin and Ressick waited outside while Hiram reactivated the traps and followed the one safe path back. The three were barely able to push the stone door back in place, and once it was sealed, they left to travel back to the city. Once there, they took the covered treasure to a small home Hiram had purchased. The Essyrni man that sold it to him overcharged, likely because he was foreign, but that didn't bother Hiram. He'd had a secret basement constructed. Then he had a secret sub-basement constructed by a different crew. Tennin and Ressick helped him unload the treasure into a small room on the main floor, and once the men had walked away, Hiram closed the door and flipped a switch. A chute opened up, taking the treasure down into the sub-basement where nobody would know it was located.
        Hiram hired three more Essyrni, all good men recommended by Tennin, and the six of them together took three carts back out to the tomb. It took a week for the men to bring back all the loot, trip after trip, and the gods smiled on their caravan. They did not run into bandits, raiders, or marauders. Hiram gave Tennin and Ressick each an extra share of the treasure for surviving the initial outing. The other three men did not object to this, but Ressick eyes were shifty, and Hiram did not trust the weasel. Once the five men had all gone on their way, each with their own cart of treasure, Hiram went about moving all his loot into his secret sub-basement. He was now ridiculously wealthy. He had kept the majority of the loot. The other men had not complained, for having vast riches could bring danger, and they were not the greedy type.
        Hiram went about ordering the construction of a second and third floor to his small home, and purchased the small adjoining property. The construction would take some time, but Hiram was enjoying the wealth and the comfort it brought him. He bought new garments, of Essyrni fabrics but in Adelan design. The Essyrni probably thought he looked foolish, but he was comfortable in the airy clothes, and he liked their cut. Only a few days after the week of bringing back the treasure had passed when Hiram found himself wondering about that mysterious woman. Hebera had the opportunity to rob or kill them, or to bring back mercenaries to loot the place, but she hadn't. He wondered what she had wanted, and where she possibly could be. He certainly hadn't minded the view, though he did prefer the look of Essyrni women.
        And since he couldn't get the woman off his mind, Hiram decided to put out the word that he was looking for her. If she was in Essyrn, he'd find her in time. Gold could move mountains.

Aurora Jane, antiquities thief extraordinaire, was not one to linger in one spot too long. She knew the marks she left would leave a trail, but no one, she found, at least so far...., had the patience to follow her and such a scattered trail. And she refused in her findings, to visit one place more than once...

However, a few months after her time in Essyrn... she found herself being called back there again. A wealthy man from the North was talking about an expedition, this one, perhaps not as grand as the possibilities of what Hiram and his men had found, but it was enough of a possible find to provoke her interest.

There was a secluded area where the deserts met the plains, and it was said an old queen, or princess, was buried there. Such an old find was bound to have some remains of a soul, for she realized the older the find, the greater the soul dust.

So, she wasted no time in packing her things and preparing herself for another adventure in the desert. She was rather fond of this land, it was beautiful at sunrise and sunset, and impecably hot during the day. But heat never bothered her, and she always wore her clever smirk, a feature of hers that was difficult to hide, even when she took on a disguise.

As she neared the city, she wrapped herself in clothe, nearly from head to toe, a similar garb to that of the local women, who wore it to protect themselves from the sun's rays. Now that she was amply hidden from view, she had no trouble moving through the streets at all, and only upon closer observation, one might realize she was no native at all, for her skin was too pale, as were her brows and lashes.

But she was moving as naturally as the flow of a river through the crowds. And so far, she became blended in there- no one of significance.

        The amount of gold it cost Hiram to buy the space for, and construct his personal museum was exorbitant, but barely put a dent in the huge amount that he brought back from his great discovery. He'd made more trips out to the tomb, bringing back intact statues, and other relics. He spent time visiting with the ancient king, sharing his knowledge of the world and its known history. He received much insight from the man, and even some corrections on events of the past that the man had experienced. He valued the wisdom he received, and the old king didn't care for the wealth that Hiram was taking from his burial place.
        As his adventures to the tomb went on, Hiram continued to have word spread that he was searching for Hebera Henry. It was not a secret that he sought the foreign woman, though he did not give reason. Every day he heard of sightings of pale faced women, and every day when he went to see them for himself they were not her. He thought that the description including her green eyes, red hair, and ample bosom, would lessen the flow of tips. It did not, it seemed, matter to the native people. Every pale faced woman looked the same to them. Most often the women didn't even have red hair. Blonde and brunette noble women from far away lands were often what he found himself looking at when he heard of a possible match to his search.
        He was beginning to lose hope of finding her, and though the time it was taking should have deterred him, it only served to strengthen his desire to find the woman. She was likely long gone from Essyrn, but he wouldn't stop his search. So his gold greased palms, and would hopefully bring him word of the woman if he ever returned.

Greasy palms meant slippery hands, and an undesirable trail left behind. Foreign women suddenly being sought after by locals had their men irate, and one confrontation made a man blow his top. Aurora watched, amused, before she heard from the frothing words of the man's mouth that this has happened before. And his wife was not the first victim of such harassment, for last month, it happened to his sister, too.

Intrigued, the woman continued to listen to the fight, and when the man exposed it was Hiram Carter who desired his wife, the man rolled back his sleeves and stormed off towards the museum. The ends of her lips curled, and her green eyes danced, and soon she was tagging along, but she kept her distance and watched through the window as the angered man threw open the door and bellowed, "Hiram! Come out this instant! You think you're so sly, trying to chase after foreign women! Come fight me you cad! "

        It was not Hiram who first met the man's ire, but Tennin. The rotund Essyrni man had lost some weight since Aurora had seem him last, and put on not a little muscle. It seemed lifting heavy loads, and working for a living had hardened the man, but his new found wealth kept him soft around his middle. He stormed out, wearing expensive Essyrn style garb mixed with sturdy Adelan boots, and what appeared to be Connlaothian arm guards.
        "What's all this yelling about," Tennin asked the man, as a crowd began to gather. "You have issue with Mr. Carter?" At first the man seemed shocked by the appearance of Tennin, and the way he rested his hand on his belted falchion. His wife arriving at his side, soon had his anger stoked again and he waved a fist at Tennin.
        "Tell that Master of yours to come out here," he spat at the Essyrni man that called Hiram friend, "my fists have something to say to his face."
        Calling Hiram his master immediately made the proud Essyrni angry, and Tennin began to draw his large blade forth. "Tennin," Hiram called from the door to the museum. He appeared there with a glass of wine in his hand. "Don't be too hasty now. If something were to happen to you, I fear I would not survives your wives' ire." He chuckled at his word as he walked out to meet his friend, "those two women scare me more than the slithering demons that burrow beneath the sands." Hiram placed a hand on his friends shoulder, and handed him the now empty wine glass. Tennin did not wilt completely at the mention of his wives', but his anger was subdued enough that he took the glass silently and stepped aside.
        Hiram did not come armed with more than a boot knife, hidden from view, but promptly rolled up his sleeves. Most of his cowardice had been burned off by the Essyrni sun, and the wine in his veins was enough to make him brave. He still had his wits about him though, and could asses that this man was more bravado than might. "If there is an issue that needs settling with fists, then I am at your service," he turned to the crowd, "there will be no charges filed here," he called. "We settle this as men, and both of us will leave alive." He turned back to his accuser and smiled grimly to the man, "does this suit your," he looked him over more closely, "Adelan pride?"
        "Aye," the man confirmed, pushing his wife aside as he stepped forward. He didn't wait for Hiram to say he was ready, he simply raised his hands and took a swing at Hiram. All his traveling with mercenaries, and plundering ruins, had not left Hirma without plenty of opportunities to learn to fight. He easily deflected the blow, and brought his open hand to a chop in the mans throat. That one contact was enough to end the fight. The larger man fell to his knees, gasping for breath, as his wife rushed up to him. She was foreign alright, but her Serenian heritage was plainly visible, and her blue hair was nowhere near red.
        "I am looking for a foreign woman," Hiram said loudly for everyone to hear, "red hair, green eyes, pale skin, and a bust," he gestured to show how large Aurora's breasts were, "that most men would lust for. The name she gave me was Hebera Henry. If you find her, I will pay you one thousand gold suns. That's Serenian currency. The largest gold coins in the land. One thousand, for Hebera Henry." He turned to Tennin, retrieved his glass from his friend, and went inside, oblivious to the fact that Aurora, or Hebera as he knew her, was so close by.

The fight ended far too quickly. What a pity. She was actually looking forward to something more... dashing? But to learn that he was looking for her, and his description there of- it made her silently laugh. It was remarkable what men recalled of a woman. Breasts the size all men desired? Well, at least she knew she left an impression. She looked down at her assets and pressed them together to look at their ample cleavage.

"I suppose even I can't deny I've got a nice pair."

But why so much fuss over her? Was he really so concerned about the small trinket she had stolen? Interesting... too bad he would't get it. At least not from her. She had that already tucked somewhere far away, and very safe.

From what she could gauge, he was doing quite well for himself. She knew this museum was not here on her last visit, and to see he and his men in such clothing... It again, piqued her interest as to why he'd care about some random woman who only caused him strife in the desert. Most men would be happy with their success and cut their losses.

She looked back down at her chest again.
Right... men only cared about one thing. Still, it was quite amusing, and she was never a woman to deny herself the thrill of a new risk, so she continued to lurk around the museum, peering in through the windows from afar, though the back end crept into a narrow ally, so it was more difficult for her to keep a safe a distance as she would have liked.

        Hiram had nothing of monetary value on display in the museum. All the gems and precious metals were hidden away in his series of secret vaults. What was on show were statues, and stone slabs, pottery, tools, skeletons and mummies. These things required little to no protection, as they were not valued for their price tag, but simply for the wealth of knowledge they provided. He'd had placards made that gave information to the viewers, about the items displayed. All his work drew little attention, though admission was free. Some curious folks walked around looking at the wonders he'd discovered, but it seemed history, was just not that interesting to the common person. The only guard that patrolled the premises, was Tennin. He was Hiram's partner now, and he took it upon himself to make sure the place remained safe. So it was he that saw the woman creeping through the alley, looking in the few back windows.
        "You there," he called out, pointing at Aurora, "what are you about? If you wish to enter, come through the front, or be off with you!"

She hadn't considered she'd be caught. Then again, there was always the risk when she lurked so close to her 'toys'. However, she wasn't here to bring out a confrontation, so with a bow of her head, she moved to slip away from the alley.

        It wasn't until Aurora was walking away that Tennin realized that the woman he'd been looking at from a distance had an ample bosom, and he thought he may have caught just a glimpse of pale skin around her eyes. He turned back toward the window and rushed up to look through it. Wrapped as she was, and moving away from him, Tennin could not be sure it was her, but he just had a feeling in his gut. His wives always said it was from not eating enough, but the round man found that to be absurd.
        "Stop!" Tennin shouted out at Aurora, "come back. I have a question to ask you."

Not all women here were so easily approachable. And shrouded in a guard to keep the sun from charring her skin, she clutched it just a little bit closer at the man's call. But she continued walking, perhaps not having heard him, as she looked for any easy way out. After all, the best way to disappear was into a crowd. But could she mix into one fast enough?

        Tennin had no way to reach Aurora in time. He was inside, near the window, but a window he could not easily fit through. The bars were meant to keep people out, but in this case they kept him in. He hustled to the front, out the door, and toward the rear alleyway opening. He scanned the crowds, hoping to catch a glimpse of the woman, but she most likely had all the time she needed to disappear. The question was whether or not to tell Hiram that he thought the woman was near.

And he might not have to, for as Aurora was making her way through the crowd, trying to be as nonchalant as possible, she found herself brushing into a man and was so close, she stepped on his turn. And as she turned to apologize, she realized..
Shit! It was him.

        Tennin was surprised by Aurora's appearance in front of him. It was her. He could only see her eyes, but he was sure of that. It was in the way she moved, as if she was trying to hide her confidence.
        "Hebera," Tennin called out to her, using the fake name she'd given, "don't run woman! Hiram seeks you!" Why Hiram sought this woman, Tennin did not understand. She had ample bosom, sure, and her pale skin was beautifully exotic, but Hiram's taste in women was far different. He favored small, boyish women of Thanaty descent. Or at least that's what he'd said. Perhaps if he brought this woman to Hiram, the spending on seekers to find her would stop. 

Running was exactly what she wanted to do, but when the man didn't try to nab for her, she hesitated. She hoped she wouldn't regret the hesitation.

"Hiram?" she feigned ignorance. "What would I care for the requests of any man?"

        Tennin recognized her voice. Foreign people had such distinct accents. Those eyes that were exposed for him to see were Hebera's eyes. Now he knew he had the right woman.
        "I don't know," Tennin said honestly. "He says all he wants is to talk to you. He's quite obsessed I think. Wants to know why you didn't kill us, and walked away from all those riches."

"Why don't you go back and tell your master that curiosity killed the cat. Besides, my business needn't concern him."

        Tennin controlled his anger at Hiram being called his master. He was not his servant. They were business partners turned friends. People often assumed he served Hiram, as many foreigners paid for the service of Essyrni. That was not the case in this instance. Tennin had many connections and knew his country, especially this city, very well. Hiram had valued his input, and his loyalty, and had made him full partner. Everything was 50/50. Others didn't see it that way though.
        "I think his interest in you is foolish," Tennin said, "especially since he claims he doesn't find you attractive. He just has some weird obsession since that meeting." Tennin was ready to let her go then, was even turning away. "He thinks I haven't heard him mumbling to himself. Something about sole dust. What does sand on the bottom of your foot have to do with anything."

Aurora was ready to leave it at just that, but the second he mentioned dust her lips twisted into a tight line. She felt her belly and heart clenching before she looked over at Tennin then moved cool as a breeze to his form where she looped an arm around his and grinned.

"I suppose I could spare an evening at the man's best interest, but only at the delight that he hasn't sought me out for love."

Even though her impressive figure was something he surely could not ignore, she was also now finding a good enough reason to seek him out as well. After all.....
Not many even knew, nor cared to look into dust.

"Shall we go to him now? I think we should, before I change my mind," she told him, purposely squeezing her breasts firmly together and brushing them up against the man's sleeve.