I glance approvingly at Pedro as he gives a quick recap. I am very happy to see that the Condessa is excited and eager. That is sure to mean that she will be willing to fund the next trip we will need to take to continue unraveling this mystery.   "Yes, Contessa. We made it to the island in safety as the ship and crew you provided were excellent and very helpful. We did not encounter very much resistance from the Inquisition foes, but we were more than a match for what they attempted on the island! Pedro mentioned torture and that is true from what we both witnessed and observed. That is never the way to find the treasures. After we put them in their place - the ground mostly, though we did keep some to turn in to the authorities - we were led by the Shaman to a cave and inside that cave there was a hidden chamber that housed the amulet." I pause to give her a chance to touch and look at the beautiful piece of jewelry.   "If you will look on the edge of the medallion, my Lady, you will see some runes. I feel confident that our next step is to research and discover where those runes lead. That is where we will find the next part of the quest. That might be ruins, it might be another link in the chain, or it might lead to nowhere. The only way to find out is to forge ahead. I think the three of us have proven our skills and that we work well together." At this, I glance over at Don Ramon and shudder slightly at my falsehood. I cannot imagine more of a wastrel, but he was handy in the fight and can serve as a distraction at the least - plus he does have good nibbles handy.   "Contessa, I would love to continue working on this tantalizing puzzle. However, I do think we need to know WHY you are interested before we continue."

Don Ramon enters the Contessa's greeting room with a flourish as he removes his Fine plumbed hat, tossed it to one of his gentleman retainers and bows in a great sweeping motion to the Contessa. He walks forward, takes the Contessa's outstretched hand and as he places his lips to her knuckles in a soft kiss, as is appropriate for her station, slips a folded piece of paper into her hand describing everything he witnessed on this adventure and the actions of the Inquisition ruffians that assailed our group. Though, there is a smile on his lips Don Ramon holds the Contessa's gaze for a moment to gauge the understanding in her eyes before He say's to her, "It is good to see her ladyship is well and may I say this dress you are wearing brings out the light in your eyes." Looking over at his companions to see if they noticed the exchange between himself and the Contessa with a playful smile on his lips."Were it so that others would take as much trouble with their appearance. "With a nod again to the Contessa Don Ramon walks to the back of the room and proceeds to watch and listen as he pretends to be looking at the wall art and the books that are shelved nearby. On a small table Don Ramon helps himself to a glass of wine from the carafe before mumbling about the lack of good help these day's

I watch Don Ramon do his usual act and try to be charming. You have to wonder if he even believes the nonsense he spouts. I hear him say something about her dress and then glance at me. I am fairly sure that is a not-so-subtle comment about my clothes, but I am an archeologist first and a clothes horse never. I will leave that frippery to Don Ramon as I swear he changes clothes three times a day.   "Contessa," I say to bring her attention back to the discussion. "I think that after we have risked our lives for you, you should tell us why. I might be speaking out of turn, and I will understand if you say that you cannot answer, but those were inquisition soldiers on that island. I am not afraid to risk my life for knowledge, but I am not sure that I am going to get the knowledge I crave from this encounter - unless you are finally willing to come clean with us."   I stand silently with my dignity intact and await some response.

The Condessa takes the paper from Don Ramon and glances at it, before being pulled back to the conversation.   "Yes, I would agree, that you all deserve more information, so here is the little that I have at the moment. Recently, one of my research scribes was found dead and part their work stolen. We know they were working on rumors of an ancient Syrenth artifact called the Orrey Immortal. We do not know exactly what it does, but the Syrenth felt it was so powerful they broke it in pieces and hid the parts around the world."   "We have been trying to recreate it while at the same time worried that whoever did this was ahead of us in looking for artifact. So far all we have been able to recreate is two locations that the Syrenth created in case future generations are in need of whatever this item is. One of those was the island, and if you are interested, we would be very grateful if you would explore this other location."

   

I feel a quiet moment of triumph as my hopes for the continued patronage are answered in the affirmative - at least to finish this adventure. I have high hopes that I can impress her enough during this task that she might be willing to fund some more explorations after this one is successfully completed. I note her casual mention of the dead scribe and how little it seems to have impacted the Contessa, but one thing I have observed in this country is that the different classes do not really care about anyone outside of their own class - whether above or below!   I see Pedro glance over at me when she says this and I am sure that his doctor sensibilities are irked at her casual disregard of the death, but what can you really do to change the opinion of nobility? I also glance at Don Ramon to see what his reactions are. I want to agree with Pedro quickly, but I am afraid of what Don Ramon will say so I hold my tongue so that I can have the last word and correct any nonsense he might utter.

Don Ramon pulls his gaze from the shelf of books. Though he smiles his eyes betray him. He is a bit offended that his pleasant greeting and compliment weren't returned in kind as manners dictate. With a slight edge to his voice Don Ramon replies," I have nothing better to do and there is so much I have not seen. I assume we will be discussing terms of employment? Payment, letters of writ should we be stopped, transportation and as was mentioned supplies...etc. No?"

I gasp in shock as the insulting words come pouring from the mouth of Don Ramon. I want to stop the flood, but I could tell he was hurt somehow by the Contessa and is not even trying to control his temper. Granted that these are questions that we need answers to, but there is a better way to go about it. I immediately jump into the fray as I want her to continue to fund my travels and explorations even after we get rid of the other two.   "Condessa Isabel Asiah de Mallén del Zepeda, I implore you to be patient with my compatriot. He has only had one meal so far today and I am sure that his manners will return as soon as he has sustenance. However, I do feel that he makes a fair point about needing the details in order for us to make decisions that will impact our lives. All of us are intrigued by what we have discovered thus far and we do want to complete this adventure, but you would think less of us if we jumped into a situation without knowing as much as we can. Please, do tell us of this secondary location."

"Of course. "Ignazio, have the waitstaff get us some food in the dining hall, and ask Sicario to bring the notes up. We will discuss while we eat."