Dangerous Decisions

JP with mdman andCindy

Cronk took a step closer to be able to see the man. The man had wavy brown hair and a thick wooly brown beard. His vested suit complimented the color of his hair. Brown thin leathered gloves covered his hands.

“Quinn good man,” Cronk began. “Meet with Doctor La Mare. Cronk look for doctor.”

Cronk did his best to hide his disgust for the Evil Doctor. He hoped this Soktatis could point him in the right direction.

Behind Sokratis hung a piece of art, gold with porcelain. Circular. It would be difficult to interpret what the image might mean, but it was all over the building it seemed. On walls of the halls, and if one looked close enough they might be able to the carvings on the man's desk were of a similar nature. On his desk was also a miniature statue, of sorts, that seemed to be carved of marble, it seemed to be half human - half something sea like but without closer inspection it was difficult to tell what that might be.

"Why?" Sokratis paused for a brief moment. "What could you want with Lamaire?"

The Greek man didn't try, whatsoever, to hide he knew Lamaire. He, also, didn't seem to be willing to give the Orc, the doctor's location.

*******

Elizabeth opened the door to find a set of wooden stairs. She proceeded down the stairs, quietly closing the door behind her. It was dark but she was being cautious.

Making it down the stairs took little time, at the bottom of the descent, she found another door which was quickly opened.

It was eerily quiet, and dark but there was just enough light to see a lantern hanging on one wall. If she lit it her invisibility would be gone but it didn't seem like there was anyone down here.

Hanging next to lantern was a sack of luxium and a canteen, which likely contained water to make the luxium glow. Elizabeth needed to make a decision. She could use another spell to help see in the dark but she couldn't maintain the invisibility spell and the sight would be limited. Or throw caution to the wind, and light the lantern. She opted for the lantern.

Cronk placed his hands behind his back as he often witnessed Quinn so in these situations. It often gave the illusion of being relaxed and harmless, when one could actually do much damage to the other, although Cronk was clueless to the reasoning.

He looked from Sokratis to the flashy gold circle behind him, back to Sokratis. “Quinn tell Cronk complete business. Cronk here to do.”

Sokratis stared at Cronk for a moment, he seemed to reach down. "Interesting. I know you are lying." Sokratis didn't move from behind the desk, but the Orc that had escorted Cronk into the room, came through the door and stood there. Sokratis then continued to talk. "You see I am quite aware your boss - Quinn- is dead. I know the doctor killed him. Now, I do not know what you want with the Lemaire, but I can guess." Sokratis paused, "Let me give you some advice, Cronk. You have no idea who or what you are truly dealing with. I suggest you leave it alone. Forget about Lemaire, forget we ever met. Understand." Sokratis waited on Cronk's response but the other Orc was still standing in front of the door.

******
Elizabeth took the lantern, put a piece of the luxium and added water to it. The glow lit up the area. There was a hallway, and a door at the end of the hallway. Elizabeth walked down the hallway and opened the door cautiously.

As she stepped through the doorway, there was no need for a lantern any longer as the room was lit.

It was a large room, bare furnishings. Actually, the only furnishings was the alter that stood at the front of the room. As her gaze, looked around she could see a design on each wall. The same design. She glanced down to see the same circular design, much larger on the floor. A hidden temple.

Elizabeth made her way to the alter. On it was some books, in Greek so she had no idea what they were. One had, in gold leaf, the same circular design, on the cover.

The same design was on the front of the alter and in the middle of it was a statue of - an an Arundan, carved from a shell. There was also a statue carved out of marble, thar seemed to be half human, half octopus.

As Elizabeth was inspecting the items on the alter. The door started to open...

Cronk looked smug. He did not lie. Cronk had unfinished business with the Evil Doctor. It just wasn’t the business most would think.

The small statue must have been the one the team had discussed. The one pilfered from the expo.

Cronk’s face remained hard. He was not here to deal. Dealing was Quinn’s way. Quinn could smooth talk his way through any situation. To do that, Cronk would need to think quick. Cronk wasn’t a smooth talker.

Cronk was a brawler. Two against one was unfair, Cronk thought. Unfair to them . One might think Cronk should take care of the Orc first. Cronk didn’t think like most people. The next second Cronk sprung over the desk at Sokratis, taking him and the statue to the floor. To protect himself, Cronk brought Sokratis up before him, in case the other Orc had any projectile weapon. One arm controlled both of Sokratis’ arms behind Sokratis’ back. The other was about Sokratis’ neck.

The Orc in Sokratis office, started to come at Cronk.

"Stop!" Sokratis ordered the other Orc, who stopped in his tracks. Sokratis then said, "Cronk, Cronk I do not know where Lamaire is, at the moment, he moves around. He's usually in the back alleys or over by the docks. He has a lab, but I have no idea where it is."

The Orc, employed by Sokratis, just stood there, as Sokratis started sweating. The Greek man had become very used to other people fighting for him.

Elizabeth remained very still, and quiet as the door began to open. Then she remembered, the lantern was still sitting in the middle of the floor.

All of a sudden a buzz was heard though out the temple. The next thing Elizabeth heard was the sound of feet going back up the steps. That was a little to close, she was certain her invisibility spell, had worn off or was about to. So, once the Eldren was sure it was clear she made her way back down the hall, hung up the now extinguished lantern and headed back up the stairs.

As Cronk was holding Sokratis, with the Orc near by another two men came bursting though the door of the office. They were each carrying a gun. "If you want to leave with your life, you'll let me go." Sokratis stated to Cronk.

*Design in Soktatis' office and the temple.