Tales of Undeath: The Von Virtus Chronicles

LVIII. Unearthed

From within his shirt, Syl retrieved a worn set of lockpicking tools, smirking as he held them up.

Syl: "Keep an eye out for me, will ya..."

He knelt at the cellar doors, the tools slipping easily into the rusty keyhole as he began his work.

Jargen: "Still the same cunning rat you were before... Haven't changed a bit."

Syl: "'Course I have! I'm breaking into mansions now, not the dumpy, hole-ridden shacks in the slums..."

He flashed a toothy grin as the mechanism clicked, the tumblers inside turning like a familiar tune.

Tyssa: "But something's not adding up... Most of the slum houses don't even have locks. Did Cabdan's men rob the rich too?"

Jargen: "... Aye. Cabdan's reach went far beyond the slums. Though he cut his teeth swindling and putting the slums' residents under his thumb, it wasn't long until he started making friends in high places. Making people 'disappear', break-in jobs, debt collection... He and his network started doing a bit of everything and expanding to other areas of the city."

Syl: "And expand we did! Shame you left when you did, Jargen. If you knew what kind of cash he was throwing around, bet you'd still be around today."

Jargen scowled, but before he could retort, the lock clicked open. Syl pushed the cellar doors wide, revealing a dark stairwell that descended into shadow.

Syl: "And there we are...! Come on now, the fun part's just about to begin."

The group descended into the dimly lit cellar, their senses assaulted by the overpowering stench emanating from a locked room to their right. A trail of dried blood led from the door to the stairwell ahead.

Syl: "Geez... What the hell's he keepin' back there?"

Jargen: "Focus! This is Cabdan's house -- none of us should be surprised at what we find. We're here for the documents and the antidote. Nothing else."

Syl: "Ah, classic 'stay focused' Jargen... Just what any good, moral person would say when they're probably walking past a murder scene!"

He snickered, but Jargen ignored him, pressing on toward the stairwell leading to the main house.

Syl: "Hey, easy! You'll get us spotted in no time. Let me take the lead --"

Voices from beyond the stairwell door froze them in their tracks.

Muffled Voice: "... just one more, yet again. I swear this is his third "just one more". I'm telling you -- whatever going on inside that lab, I don't wanna be around to see it. You saw how many damn bodies we had to hide... Do you know how many are left at this point...?"

Other Muffled Voice: "... Save it. Got enough shit on my mind as it is, don't want to have to worry about what that madman's up to. Cabdan put him in charge, just do as he says... Shouldn't be long until he's back, he'll sort him out then."

Muffled Voice: "There ain't no 'sorting' that guy out, whatever was there to sort has long left the building... Guy's a lunatic. Anyway, gotta grab another for him. You wanna help?"

Other Muffled Voice: "Let me think... Help you or join the others for drinks..."

Muffled Voice: "Bah! No need to pour salt on the wound... Go on then, be with you fellas in a bit."

Footsteps approached the cellar door.

Syl: "Shit... Behind the barrels, quick!"

The group scrambled to hide behind a cluster of dusty wine barrels, barely managing to duck out of sight before the door creaked open. A guard stepped inside, grumbling as he descended the wooden stairs.