Ruin Breakers [Tarot Hierarchy]

[Cards of Fate]

The sun had begun to set over the Kulvrisk steppe as a small caravan approached the base of a lone mountain towering above all else. Wind whipped ferociously as tore at the travelers. In the distance they could see a small camp huddles against seeking shelter from the wind. All around them grass struggled to keep its hold in the dirt as dust blew everywhere. Every member of the caravan had been prepared, wrapped head to toe in white clothes similar to desert-wear, however the headpiece was kept semi translucent to maintain vision.

"Just an hour more before we reach the camp!" the head of the caravan exclaimed to the rest as the struggled forward in the harsh conditions presented to them. The mules struggled with their heavy packs filled to the brim with provisions and water. Very little could be scrounged up in these wastes, not a single creature dared roam the slicing winds, nor did a single bird deign to fly in the forlorn sky. The steppe was as close to a waste as it could possibly be. Only the foolish or the brave would dare venture these lands. Tobias Stalt reckoned they were a healthy mix of both.

He had taken an open contract with the enigmatic Leona Stevvains, leader of the Tarot Hierarchy, months ago. Since then she would randomly send him letters asking for his assistance with a task. Her ability to see the future meant she could promise the rewards would be satisfactory to him, and this time she swore by her Thayne protector that he would be thrilled to see his reward for this mission. His goal was simple, an old friend and ex martial student Vincent Cain had found a rather ancient and impressive set of ruins that would far predate anything that had ever been dug up in the last five centuries. Tobias was to accompany the lad down into the depths and make sure that the scholar made it out in mostly one piece.

Riding behind Tobias was Rayleigh Aston, an active member of the Tarot Hierarchy. Months ago she had run across Vincent in Alerar's largest port and he had offered her a job in helping him understand an ancient mechanical artifact. While she felt like she had been of little help to the scholar, her clues seemed to light a fire inside of him that would later lead to the reuniting once more to recharge the object. At the end of that job he had offered her to join the Hierarchy and share his knowledge with her. Now she found herself being dragged along to the edge of the charted world in order to ply her abilities at the excavation.

"You holding up okay Ray?" Tobias grunted, spitting out a mouthful of dust.

"As well as I can in this ridiculous wind..." Rayleigh responded quickly. They had been traveling in this steppe for about four days, and were looking forward to descending into the mountain to escape this wind.

"Just a little further!" Tobias shouted, praying it was true.

They spent the rest of the last leg in their journey in silence to conserve energy. Finally they entered the rocky enclave at the base of the mountain that housed the camp, and it seemed like the wind had simply died. It's howling around them was the only sign of it's presence, not so much a breeze could be felt. As the various workers began to unload packs into packlines and go about making camp a messenger found Tobias and Ray rinsing their mouths out with swigs of water.

"Lady Aston, Sir Stalt..." The messenger began as walked up them. The two of them shot him a weird look.

"Lady Aston?" Ray asked quizically.

"Sir Stalt?" Tobias grunted, spitting on the ground. "I think you have our station mixed up bud..."

"MY APOLOGIES!" the messenger squeaked, his features hidden under a loosely fitting turban and robes. "The Hierophant told me to find you when you arrived and guide you to his chambers." he said motioning for them to follow him as he scampered off.

"Chambers?" Rayleigh asked the mercenary, cocking her heard to one side.

"For fucks sake Vinnie..." Tobias grumbled as the walked.

They found the messenger standing at the entrance to a cave waiting patiently. "The Hierophant will see you now..." he said bowing. The two entered to a well lit "room" of a cave boasting several makeshift tables littered with maps and tomes. Vincent was in the very back of the room pouring over some notes as he noticed them walk in. He limpled around the table and started towards them, waiting for the messenger to leave. Once they were no longer being observed he set the cane down on the table and strutted towards them with a normal gait arms outstretched.

"Tobias! Ray! Pleasure to see you two once again!" He said embracing each one of them warmly. "Thank you so much for coming all the way out here, the middle of scenic nowhere!" he said as he strutted back to his notes. "Come, come! I have some wines over in the corner if you would like a drink, you must be exhausted from your travels. Pull up a chair..." he said gesturing to several crates lying about "...and have a seat." the two took his offers to heart and found them each holding a cup of wine in hand in as the watched Vincent pour over his notes for a moment more.

"Welcome to the Rune King's Keep." He said grinning ear to ear.