<div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/JfittGY.png)</div>The disc actually looked like the same one they had found on the skeleton in the vault before, albeit not broken, which lent credence to Yazhu's crazy time-travelling theory. It was almost certainly one of the two keys needed for the two depressions in the vault...<br/><br/>Ameiko presented and returned the ring back to Kikonu, who looked pleased as he slipped it on his finger. Though his gaze was mostly elsewhere; from the way he was disrobing Yazhu with his eyes (not that her chainmail bikini left much to remove!) he was quite taken with her!  "Of course, my castle is at your service tonight, my sweet. And in appreciation for returning my ring, I shall grant you a boon! Think upon it and tell me your wish at tonight's banquet. Yes, we are hosting a banquet in your honor! And for that, we need a master chef." He clapped his hands. "Buttersnips!"<br/><br/>From a side door entered a dainty elf-like creature wearing a brightly colored dress made of disparate pieces of fabric stitched together and a wicked - some might say crazy psychopathic serial murdering - grin. She darted with such incredible speed that her shape appeared to blur and shimmer, until she stopped at the foot of Kikonu's throne and gave a fancy bow - at which point she suddenly vanished! Reappearing as she straightened up, whenever she stood still for more than a few seconds she would turn invisible again, only to reappear a few moments later as she bobbed and twitched in place with maniac restless energy. "How may I be of service, Kikonu-dono?"<br/><br/>"I have need of your culinary skills once more, for tonight we feast!"<br/><br/>"Oooooh, I have the perfect gastronomic idea!" Buttersnips cooed. "The prisoner in the dungeons will serve as a fine centerpiece... the most delicious rib of Linnorm roast... served blood eagle style, of course!"<br/><br/>"Err, no humanitarian dishes tonight. We have guests of honor..."<br/><br/>"Oooooh?" There was a blur and then the elfin creature was right up in Yazhu's face, staring into her eyes - for a moment at least, before she vanished from sight again. Presumably she was still there, motionless and invisible... finally she reappeared while pulling away. "Pity, pity. Maybe another day... if you need me I'll be downstairs in the kitchen! Now I must take my leave, my lord! " With another shimmering afterimage she was gone as quickly as she had arrived.<br/><br/>Kikonu pointed to one of the dire corbies, "Feathered minion! Yes, you, grovel when your daimyo is talking to you. Would you kindly escort our guests to the guest rooms?"<br/><br/>The birdman didn't look too happy about being delegated as a servant, but had no choice but to obey. He led the pair up to the upper floor of the castle - which was not collapsed - and to the bedroom wing. The room Yazhu and Ameiko were shown to was in relatively good repair. "Please make yourselves comforrrtable. We will call you when dinner is rrready." Before he left, dire corby had a less... official message for them, delivered in a low voice after looking around to make sure he wouldn't be overheard. "In the meantime, our prrriestess would like to speak with you... seek her out in the shrrrine."<br/><br/>And with that, the two women were finally by themselves once more - nope, not so fast! A telepathic voice spoke in their heads, a woman's - or at least a female creature's, given the monstrous nature of the local residents.<em>"Well, well, well. What have we here? A pair of mice scurrying around a castle full of owls... perhaps we may help each other. I am in the library, in the tallest tower..."</em><br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Summary of leads</div><div class="spoiler_body">Prisoner in the dungeon<br/>Priestess in the shrine<br/>Voice in the library<br/></div></div>