Never before had she tasted anything more divine than that small sip of water. She tried to drink deeper, but the cup was pulled away. Her eyes followed it only for a brief moment before she schooled herself and met the woman's gaze.<br/><br/>Truly, there was nothing she could do to them that would cause them any form of grief. Even were she able, she wouldn't have done so. The line she walked was fine, existing between the world of those who delved deep into the dark arts for dark purpose, and those who studied it in order to control it, and use it for good, but she managed to walk the line quite well. She would never knowingly and deliberately harm another. However, they admittedly could not know that. They would be fools to trust her on words alone, but if words were what they asked, she would give them.<br/><br/>"I have no quarrel with either of you," she looked from one to the other. Her words were soft, her voice melodic now that she'd had a drink. "...and I have no reason to harm you. Look closely at the situation and you will see that I have little, if anything, to gain from acting against you. Words are cheap in the world of late, but I shall give them to you regardless. You have my word that I will do all in my power to preserve what is here, both in material goods and in knowledge that I might gain, and see that it remains. I will not raise a hand against either of you without undeniable provocation."<br/><br/>Finished with the formalities called for by the situation, she relaxed just a bit. The chair was massively uncomfortable, and she fought the urge to squirm. Glancing toward the door briefly, the sky outside caught her attention. She could just catch a distant climpse of the horizon, and the brewing clouds from where she sat. Upon seeing it, her face paled, her blood ran cold, and her heart dropped into her toes.<br/><br/>She was too late, then... She had failed.<br/><br/>"Its begun..." she muttered to herself, without realizing she'd spoken the words out loud.<br/><br/>Turning to the others, she forced a casual tone and neutral expression as she inquired, "If I might ask... what news of the kingdom?" she hoped she wouldn't hear the dreaded news that she expected. There had to be hope. She refused to give up. It couldn't be too late.<br/><br/>=================<br/><br/>The world behind the portal was simple. It was a weak portal, transporting travelers from the depths of the city, to a hidden underground cavern just outside, and deeply below it. The cavern was massive, with many naturally formed branching tunnels. The caves had been improved, leveled, and furnished modestly. Many people moved about, some working on tasks, some talking in small groups, others reading. It seemed at first glance that a couple dozen at least seemed to be coming and going. It was impossible to tell just how large the cavern was from this vantage or how deep they truly were. The caverns were cool and musty. A constant hint of sulfur clung in the air. It could be gathered from the many people here that the caves were largely self-sustaining, and offered a permanent residence for many.<br/><br/>Kell stood beside the portal's entrance, waiting for the two. First the one called Turbertus, arrived. Kell smiled warmly, offering an approving nod. After a long pause, the small lad called Jimmy burst through with youthful viggor. Kell was ready for him and caught him by the arm.<br/><br/>"Tsk tsk, little lad..." he chuckled, "where's the fire? No need for such a rush. I don't remember fetching you... but since you are here, listen up. You've much to learn if you plan to work for me. I run a tight crew and you'll have to keep up. Think you can do that?"<br/><br/>Kell crouched before the lad, laying his palm on the tiny shoulder. "There are things you'll see here that could be dangerous if anyone were to find out. I need your word that when you leave here, you'll not speak of what you see, hear, or learn to anyone without my permission. You will have to promise me that if anyone asks, you were not able to find me when you followed me here. I assume someone sent you to follow me, aye? I wont ask you who, but I need you to promise me that you wont tell anything that needs to be a secret. Do you trust me not to do anything that will hurt anyone? Can you keep my secrets? This is a big responsibility and I need to know I can trust you."<br/><br/>Kell then stood when he was finished with the boy, and waited patiently for the second traveler to arrive. He imagined that whoever had sent the lad, and he had his suspicions as to who that was, had also detained the traveler. Whistling idly, he leaned against the wall with a pleasant smile on his face and a casual posture.<br/><br/>Tossing and catching a small pebble in his palm repeatedly, he watched the commotion. Many of the passing people nodded to him, each recieving a nod and a friendly greeting.