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"Yes, we've had our eyes on Barton for some time now. Thank you," he said, taking a glass of wine and sipping it a bit. "My followers have already established a raiding force. As we speak, they are preparing to attack. How soon do you think the others will respond?"

"I wouldn't call it an army, really. Just a small raid force. Go in, snatch some bodies, cause some mayhem, then get out. Your decision to spring an attack on Barton has changed some of that. Reinforcements have already been dispatched to accomodate."

Darsh took a sip of his wine. If there was anyone somehow listening in on their conversation, despite the protections and whatnot, he would know, and the unfortunate soul who gets caught would soon be regretting playing the role of a spy. Death would not be quick, if it came at all.

The shaded eye, more like a beholder than anything, now approached further along,nearing the gaping maw that was known as the 'Demon's Chasm'.

It sent out a steady pulse of negative energy, as if ringing the proverbial doorbell, and alerting those who had taken residence within to their presence.

"Enter."

It was easy as that. Sadly enough, few had ever had the politeness to answer the damn question.

The shadow would not move from its place or lead them further into the grounds. However, there was a clear path to follow; directly across from the ruined gates, through the crumbling structure, door half buried in the ground. Actually, it only appeared that way, for the ground it rested against was at the bottom of a slope. Underground was the way to go.

And through the maze-like caverns, it would be oddly easy to navigate. Trapdoors opening and closing for the visitors, guiding them down the weaving paths, for other larger rooms were quite obviously not the place to look.

And at the end of the weaving tunnels, there would be a simple black door. A black diamond with a skull engraved into the wood.

One may have to wonder why entry to the grounds was so easily obtained. Maybe it was because whoever was in charge had enough power to repel enemies on their own ground. Maybe the desecration and overwhelming negative energy would take apart enemies before they got far. Maybe whoever was in charge was just an idiot.

What did it matter? Good manners dictate polite treatment for guests.

Oh? Someone who knocks? This was new. Though they could have just opened the door if they wanted. It wasnt locked or anything. But hey, if they knocked, then that meant they were waiting to be let in. Shouldnt waste time with that.

The door would open rather quickly. Sort of like an angry neighbor flinging their front door open in a fit of rage to an unwelcome visitor. But that wasnt the case. On the other side of the circular room, across the large circular table, sat a man.

The door had been opened from all the way across the room. However, it was not done with any fancy magic tricks, just a wire wrapped around the handle of the door, stretching across the room to the man's left hand. It wasnt like he relied on magic tricks for everything.

"I hear you are here to see me." He didnt look at the visitors when he spoke, rather, he was gazing into a crystal ball set on the table a little to his side, though he had a light grin on his face, as if he had just seen something very funny.

"Come, make yourself at home, sit." Decruda finally looked up and waved them into the room. To the side next to the door was a glass cabinet containing several crystal glasses and decanters of liquor, if they so chose to drink. And when they had taken a seat, in any of the chairs set up around the table, he'd ask them what business they had.

"So why are you here?"

Guess it couldn't be helped. The man stood up out of his seat and took a bow, dropping the wire as he did so, letting it hang loosely across the room and table. He dressed rather plainly. Wearing a plain black robe. No weapons, no equipment, no spell components visible.

"Decruda Blackvale, madame. Welcome to Sorrow's Keep."

Of course, he'd take his seat along with his guests. As the woman spoke, it was easy to see that his inverted eyes went back and forth between the woman and the crystal ball, splitting his visual attention between them, though she owned his hearing for the moment. However, he'd look away and focus his attention on the woman when she finished.

"Hmm..." He appeared to ponder, before returning a smile, "Sounds lucritive. May I inquire as to what faction you represent? As I would presume you already know about this one as you are here, I have yet to know about yours."

Information. You can never get enough of it.