Welcome to Gaia! ::

Relief washed over Wren's face, and she smiled softly at Lin. "Thanks," she murmured. "I was wondering what was going on."

Mari led the way down the ladder and the others followed. It was pitch black below, but at Andarien's interrogation, she assured them that the area was made entirely of dirt and that it would be quite safe to have Ponydash out for light.

The underground was far bigger than the cabin itself, though it was predominantly empty. Even in the light of Ponydash's mane and tail, the walls were not visible until they were close to them. Mari showed them an area where they could set up their things and sleep, and cautioned them to stick to that area. She herself would be sleeping down there as well, but in a different area.

While the group was setting up their beds, Chesnet came down with a basket of bread and told them he would be leaving it down there for them.

"Rest well," Mari told them all finally, smiling at them in Ponydash's light, "and whenever you wake, go on up to the main floor. Just climb the ladder and push on the trapdoor - don't knock. If it's not safe, it won't open."

Despite having gone to bed early, the group did not awaken until noon the following day, when Chesnet came down to wake them. He opened the trapdoor above them, allowing light to stream in, called down to give them a warning, and then came down.

"Lunch is ready for you," he told them as they began to stir. "You've been asleep for about fourteen hours."

"Don't feel rested," Andarien muttered, pulling his pillow over his head.

Lancaeriel had been sleeping off to the side, and she yawned and sat up slowly. "Give it another day," she murmured.

"We should set up tents down here," Wren muttered, running her fingers through her hair and then smoothing the wrinkles out of her shirt. "Then at least we'll have privacy to change our clothes and such."

It took some poking, but Andarien was up soon as well, and then everyone managed to get up to the cabin for their lunch.

It seemed Kyrie and Mathias were not around, as only Chesnet and Mari sat with the others to eat - in the sitting room, since the kitchen table wasn't big enough for the seven of them.

"So what is the plan?" Lancaeriel asked as they ate. "Kyrie has told us essentially nothing, and Earendil has been taken captive. We came here to help end the conflict, but ... what are we going to do?"

Mari looked grim. "Foreigners are to be arrested on sight and brought to the General for questioning," she replied. "I've heard different reports on what happens to them afterwards, and I believe it depends on their race and rank."

"The higher their rank, the less likely they are to be released," Chesnet added. "The General is paranoid. He feels threatened by people with power, even if their power means nothing in Garnelia."

Mari smiled at Lin. "Hopefully your husband did not introduce himself with his rank, and will shortly be set free," she said, trying to be optimistic. "If that is the case, then my eyes and ears in the city will pick him up and keep him safe, and let us know as soon as possible where he is."

Mari sighed and rubbed her temple with her fingertips. "Then there is nothing else for it but for us to rescue him. Though how, I do not know."

She smiled grimy. "Thankfully, we have been making progress in leaps and bounds in the past few years. We have stockpiled arms and armour for a small army, hopefully enough to formulate a plan to infiltrate the palace. It has been slow progress, but slow is better than none."

Andarien blinked at her. "Then you're not just hiding out here?" he asked curiously.

"No indeed," Mari laughed softly. "No ... I know it appears so, but we are hard at work, planning on saving the people from the General."

Mari folded her hands in her lap and looked thoughtfully at each of her visitors. "I spoke with Kyrie at great length this morning," she said softly. "She has told me your story, and what she hopes to accomplish here. She will be joining us later on to do some brainstorming, but in the meantime, do you mind if I ask you questions about your abilities and experiences?"

She smiled apologetically. "I know, it can be rather tedious, but every detail, no matter how minute, is important. Each one opens up another option for us and increases our odds of success."

Mari nodded. "Then why don't we do this person by person?" she suggested. "Perhaps you could start us off, Lin. What skills do you have, what weapons can you use? Do you have experience? Fighting? Stealth? Infiltration?"

She glanced at Chesnet, and the lean man nodded and went to the other room to get something to write with.