Slattery looks out away from the city, then at his companions.

"Shall we try to stop by that building that seems to appear and disappear on the way?" he asks.  To Fletcher, he adds, "on the way back last time we ran across a building we were pretty sure wasn't there on our way out."

"If it is still there Slattery," replied Odhran.  "In the Blasted Lands, there is no telling what that actually was.  But we should check it out."

"Aye..."

Fetch is unsure how to respond to Slattery's comment and can't help but think back to the party's extensive bar tab at the Grey Minstrel. He remains convinced they're carrying waterskins not wineskins and certainly isn't going to begin a long first journey with a line of inquiries.

Melissa gives a last, lingering look at the town with its warm, wine filled tavern and sighs quietly. But, at least out here in the wasteland she can fly high without having to fend off territorial magpies or dodge startled pigeons.

"I'm with Slatters this time," she says "We're all healed up and not loaded down with loot. Besides, I was thinking - between drinks-" she adds defensively "And I'm not sure its actually a building."

Slattery looks questioningly at Melissa.

"Sure looked like a building," he says, "but those don't generally move around.  You think it's some critter with a building shaped mouth?  Or some portal to another realm?"

"Perhaps we can take a closer look when you're not bleeding to death," Thea says to Slattery.

"Well," she says slowly, fearing she's about to make a fool of herself in front of her smarter fellow mages "I told you I thought the roof was wrong - and I'd wager I've seen a lot more roofs from above than anyone else here - then I got to thinking maybe it wasnt a building with a flat roof, maybe its a room and the roof is actually the ceiling or the floor of the room above it." She quickly glances at Fletch and back again. "I think it might be someone from the dungeon keeping an eye on his investments, if you know what I mean."

"A plan of action I totally agree with," Slattery says.  "Not bleeding to death is high on my todo list for today."



Slattery looks blank for a moment, and then comprehension dawns.

"Oh," he says, then nods.  "Could be."  He also glances at Fetcher.  "I suppose we owe our new companion the full story, even though he's technically not part of the original bargain."

Subtly but keenly following the conversation, Fetch's eyes widen a bit when glances start being thrown his way. He clears his throat though not in preparation of speaking and then scratches the side of his jaw just to seem somewhat occupied, no matter how awkwardly.

You set out from Dunnold across the wastes, once again following the Ochre River. Your first day of travel passes without serious incident. You do spot a small pack of some kind of dog-like animal in the distance, but they turn and flee down a gully once they spot your group.

On the second day you manage to find the mysterious building you spotted on the way back to Dunnold. The small square building is set against a hill. The building is made of well-cut stone blocks. It is 40' x 40' and stands 10' high with a flat roof made of one large piece of shiny flat stone. There is an opening in the front of the building leading into the dark interior. The wizards still sense magic emanating from within.

"Shall we investigate now?", said Odhran.

Years of mercenary travel have ingrained in Fetch a continual sense of uneasiness, always a bit on edge when traveling. As time passes Fetch's comfort with the group grows.

He takes a knee in a resting posture as he studies the structure with both interest and apprehension, he couldn't put a finger on a single aspect that made the entire thing seem out of place. Speaking up;

"If it's a tavern, will we all make it out alive?" Fetch sends a short but obvious glare at Melissa, deciding now is as good a time as any to try a friendly jab.

"Could be the entrance to something under the hill," Slattery observes.  "I guess we need to take a look, eh?" He doesn't look any too enthused about it, but moves silently closer so he can get a better look in the entrance.  He motions for the others to remain a safer distance back, just in case.

"Alive certainly. Sober, maybe." She grins and winks at Fetcher. "If it's what I think it is," she hovers above Slattery's right shoulder "Then we're in no danger. If it isn't, then whatevers inside could be worth running away from. At least last time it didnt come out and attack us when we were wounded and laden with loot, so it probably wont leave the building. Room. Whatever."
She takes a deep breath.
"Shall I go take a look? I'm harder to spot and harder to hit than you bigjobs."

Fetcher isn't sure what everyone's abundance of caution means, and he doesn't like it. He runs through a mental checklist and takes shield and hammer in hand though he remains in a casual stance and at a distance as Slattery signaled.

"What are we thinking here, crazed hermit? Goblin squatters?" he asks in a hushed tone, hoping nothing worse tops the lists of the others' expectations.

"Or a house that eats people that enter it?", Odhran offered.  "We are in a land blasted with ancient magics, with traps and tricks left behind.  It could be harmless or a major threat.  We will not know until we investigate it."

"...Chained demon." Melissa says eventually. "We met a demon imprisoned in the dungeon called GrinLarge and we sort of arranged with him to set him free in return for him helping us out. Or showing us the treasure room."

Slattery creeps ahead of the group toward the entrance to the building. The entryway is about 7' high and 5' wide. There are no other visible openings in the walls. Beyond the doorway is only darkness and a musty smell.

Slattery looks at Melissa.

"Too dark to see anything," he says. "Can you see in the dark?"

"No, I havent learned that spell." Melissa says nervously "Oddy used a magic light on this last time and it vanished when it got inside. Do you have a torch?"
Her eyes flick back to the rest of the group, gauging how far she's have to fly.
"Honestly I was expecting to See GrimLarp sitting inside looking smug, not dingy darkness containing luna knows what."

Slattery pulls out a torch and lights it.

"If this holds through the door," he says, "we can light a lantern."

He approaches the doorway and sticks the torch through it to see if that illuminates anything inside.

Melissa readies her wand; if anything attacks it's going to get a double strength TTFY for openers.

Slattery lights one of his torches and walks up to the doorway. Holding the torch inside the doorway he can see a mostly empty chamber roughly the same size as the exterior of the structure. In the center of the chamber is a stone table. On the other side of the table from the doorway is a seated cloaked figure. It has a hood over its head, so you cannot see any features.

With piqued interest, Fetch anxiously awaits some kind of sign. He wants to shout and ask what in gods' names is in there but Slattery's precautions convey the seriousness of the matter. Fetch is quickly realizing there's a lot more to adventuring than forgoing meals and fending off roving creatures. He inhales and exhales deeply trying to relax, hoping he doesn't have to sprint into dark and unknown if things take an ugly turn here.

Odhran readies his cane, a few spells on the tip of his tongue.