Reflection is a positive meditation, and I was reflecting earlier today on the taking of the Keep, not long ago. It was a slow day in my Loan Stand, so I wanted to note this particular fight that occurred.

I think the most memorable fights are those where nearly everything was lost, but turned around right as you're scraping the bottom steps. In this case, it was literally scraping the bottom steps. The Chorrim in Charge was coming down the stairs, with Tal, Cathar, some of the "elite" team, and myself waiting, in high hopes, or just exaustion, to finish him. This would be a good time to note that we were all injured badly, and needed a break from the fight badly.

The next few minutes had the remaining "elitists" dead, Tal and Cathar on the ground, and me, nearly on the floor passed out with my injuries. I was happy to see that the Chorrim was also suffering greatly from his injuries, but it would only take 3 minor strikes to slit Tal and Cathar's throats, and run me through. I mustered all my little 1'3" strength and limped right under his legs. I flew straight up with my mind blade.

Yes, he fell; with a might roar of pain at that.

Although heroism is wonderful, I was too busy shaking in exhaustion and fear to be thinking of anything special at the time. Fortunately, I was able to stabilise Cathar and Tal, and with help, they were able to rest and relax in the Ring Room. Morgan did the rest, if I remember correctly.

That fight will be in my memory for a long time, and I wanted it down on paper...officially.

Please tell me that's a customer coming...

No amount of parchment and ink can properly relay the emotions, fears, injuries, healing and spells that occurred in the next few hours. I can happily say that we all lived (except for that "elite" team...remind me to look up what elite means...I must not understand the meaning). But let's cut to the chase.

Treasure!

Our reward, besides the ever blessing of the Keep, was the treasure we found. Our final take in the Keep alone amounted to 3000 silver, 25 platinum, 1000 gold, 3 thunderstones, 1 masterwork dagger, a black pearl *lustful eyes*, an emerald *lustful eyes*, a faintly magical ring and a fairly magical potion. My take of the coins, combined with my own coins and some of my lower valued jewels got me the pearl and emerald. Task Complete.

While I don't consider myself selfish since I do make frequent financial loans at a mere 29% interest (with good family names only), I have found a satisfaction with a wonderful jewel collection. My statue in the courtyard has helped my loan business quite well, but I sometimes miss the adventuring. Besides treasure, it has brought me knowledge, spell power, and helped me to understand myself better. I guess I'm satisfied for now, but hopefully I'll be able to see more of the world...later...

The map that the ring displayed (while on the special rock) showed a secret tunnel straight into the Ring Room, where Ro-Terrus could put the ring in it's correct location and he could basically control the doors, stairs, and basic defenses. Quite a handy little ring.

Did I mentioned that Tal, a totem warrior, is now accompanied by a little bear? He's very nice, and comfortable to ride. I mention this because the bear, of whom I personally refer to as Fluffy, looked positivity traumatised that he could not also enter the Keep. I think separation from his new Master was not to his liking. The rest of us did go into the secret tunnel, along with an elite team of the Keep's Defense, although there somewhat quick deaths makes you wonder what the requirements for being "elite" are...

Ro-Terrus studied the Defense System quite thoroughly as Tal and Cathar disposed of a few guards as they slept. There are only around 100 Rhodin in the Keep, this should be no problem.

Whatever.

While I wanted to mediate long enough to be fully capable of my Elemental spells, plans for the taking back the Keep prevented that for the time being. I could sense that Aberkin was a Magister with Akashic experience, and all of his minions were Warmains, but the Keep was priority now, not Aberkin; although trust is still not on my priority list either. We received a poem to aid our plans:

I have cities, but no structure,

Lakes, but no water.

I have --, but no stone.

Beneath encircling darkness I am shown.

It was deduced to put the ring on a rock that Sidhir (the guy who seems to be in charge of the Keep's Defense) brought from the Ring Room when the Keep was being taken. It showed a map with a secret entrance to the Keep into the "ring room". I was totally excited, as anything magical and mightly is completely intriguing to me, but there were concerns of our abilities taking the Keep, even with this advantage (my concerns included). The resulting decision was that Cathar and I went out to find help from the Litorans. Our speed and quietness in the surrounding Rhodin infested area were major decision considerations. We did meet Litorans who agreed to find more Litorans and return as quickly as possibly - if Sidhir wasn't in charge. It was easier to hedge that Sidhir had little involvement instead of charm...after all, we were on a timetable.

12 silver pieces and 6 copper pieces were collected after the deaths of four Rhodin that we quickly demolished. I was terrified to go after them with only Cathar and me, but it went well with only minor injury. After all, scouts reporting us would be a nuisuance...