For any merfolk, Rez Lagoonâ€™s skyline was something of an eyesore. For a descendent of the Rez Lagoon Conclave, however, it was a burning blight in the forefront of oneâ€™s mind. The history of the place was wrought with old scars, and the exact place in the undercity he wished to go harbored the deepest one.<br/><br/>He was going to see the old conclaveâ€™s nexus crystal.<br/><br/>Of course he wasnâ€™t going to tell Edric this until the last possible moment. The last time something similar had been brought up in discussion, it had been strongly insinuated that Koralheim was insane for even contemplating such an impossible endeavor. Of course, that had been a discussion of cracking open a still-active nexus. This was an entirely different problem to deal with.<br/><br/>As they stepped down onto one of the raised causeways that made up the cityâ€™s wealthier district, Koralheim took a minute to look around. â€œWeâ€™d be better off if we headed for the lessâ€¦ affluent district if we want to avoid guards, but itâ€™d be a much longer walk in the underground. I take it youâ€™d much prefer to have to stab the still living if we had trouble come up, yes?â€ he asked in the humanâ€™s mind.<br/><br/>"I'd prefer to kill in anticipation of trouble rather than as a reaction to it," Edric whispered back, "and ideally away from the streets. You'll not find my swordsmanship as impressive as certain...<span style="font-style: italic">other</span>skills I possess, but a fight in the Undercity will draw less attention, and I brought a supply of<span style="font-style: italic">nox meratis</span>along for just such an occasion besides."<br/><br/>Koralheim shifted the thin, cloth-shrouded bundle in his arms and slid out a fine silver sabre, held into its mahogany and silver scabbard with a thin band of leather. He held it up, the thing barely as broad as his lithe forearms. â€œWill this suit you? Pardon the delicate appearance of it; I know you care more for practicality, but the silver prevents any disease from growing on it. I thought it might be easier to clean for you.â€ He explain. â€œI drew it up and had it forged after we last worked together. Consider it a thank you, or a bonus, or even an advance for this work.â€<br/><br/>The assassin took the blade with a distinct lack of ceremony, frowning at the size of its sheath before he had even begun to inspect the weapon itself. "A<span style="font-style: italic">dagger</span>would suit me," he mumbled, testing its balance with one hand. "I don't make a habit of carrying swords for any longer than necessary."<br/><br/>â€œIâ€™ll keep it safe for you, then.â€ Koralheim responded with ease. â€œAlong with the other trinkets Iâ€™ve designed for youâ€¦ for another time, anyway. Come now, I know a shortcut.â€ He explained. â€œIt isnâ€™t pleasant.â€<br/><br/>Koralheim led the human along into an alleyway that was like a line of tarnish on the silver-gold skyline of the district. And yet, back in these darker places, there was a grating, with fungus growing up around it. â€œSven was kind enough to grow me an express elevator to his farm. After all, he figured you liked the selection. If anyone would bring you back down there, it would be me.â€<br/><br/>Edric shuddered from a mere glance at the rusted metal cover. "Get the needles out," he said, failing to hide the apprehension in his voice. "Sven may be tolerable for a zombie, but I am<span style="font-style: italic">not</span>here to personally sample his wares."<br/><br/>â€œWhat? Do you not miss the little fireworks show the last set he used on us gave off?â€ Koralheim replied mirthfully, using a nearby pipe to pry the heavy grate free, showing a snaking tunnel of fungus-slicked pipe trailing off into the dark. â€œRight, well, you might want to hold your things close; itâ€™s quite a long slide down.â€<br/><br/>Koralheim fished a small needle from his satchel and offered it to Edric. â€œThis is enough for the first leg of our trip. Sven should have our dose for the rest of the way ready by now.â€ He added, peering down in the dark. â€œAnd I wonâ€™t even bother asking you to go first.â€ He continued, clutching his satchel close after pricking himself in the arm with a needle of his own.<br/><br/>"Let me know if the fall cripples you," the assassin sneered, "I feel that old cadaver would certainly enjoy company of a more permanent sort."<br/><br/>â€œYes, well, Iâ€™ll be taking your payment down with me. Perhaps that will incentivize you with somewhat more gusto than merely the chance to see my mangled corpse.â€ Koralheim offered before tucking his satchel close and stepping off into the darkness of the pipe, swallowed up immediately. Edric would, of course, have a moment of the merfolkâ€™s rather frantic thoughts before they were pulled away, leaving the sound of Koralheim sliding and bouncing away into the dark the only thing Edric could hearâ€¦ beyond the yelling of guards at the end of the alleyway.<br/><br/>"...Not even a moment's peace." he muttered, keeping his back to the approaching lawmen as he administered the inoculating agent to his own wrist. Drawing the ends of his cloak tightly inwards, the human ducked underneath a mailed glove reaching for his shoulder and jumped into the hole without hesitation.