Post by Chaltah Songblade on Oct 20, 2014 1:54:22 GMT -5
Chaltah turns as she hears someone addressed Gram and notices the anubis. She nudges Stormchaser and points toward the being and they moved closer, spreading out a bit to stand behind either side of the Anubis watching it closely. She was surprised to see the being out in plain sight as it was, but perhaps it knew when the best time to show up when there would be no people around.
Chaltah, after a few moments, decided it was probably the best place for such a creature to be since egypt was the place of many of the types of gods with animal heads. She puts her hands in her pockets for the time being but was ready to move, glancing around the place from time to time to make sure there was no one but the informant around.
Stormchaser watches the Anubis quietly, flexing and clenching his fists, watching for any sign of hostile movement from the creature, leaving Chaltah to spot any other random dangers
Post by Nathaniel Graham on Oct 20, 2014 3:25:34 GMT -5
The anubis paid no attention to Chaltah and Stormbringer, watching only Gram, glancing once at the briefcase the young man was carrying. Studying the creature closely, Gram was careful to keep his face indifferent as he handed the contact the briefcase which contained the payment for the information Gram was there to receive.
A toothy grin spread across the creature's face and Gram lifted one eyebrow inquisitively. "Right. Your information," the anubis began. "Did you know that underneath the Serapaeum are a series of ancient subterranean tunnels and storerooms? And did you also know that these tunnels and storerooms were used to hold part of the collection of the Great Library of Alexandria?" The creature grinned at Gram's impassive face, glancing at Chaltah and Stormbringer for the first time.
"Apparently, several documents and relics that the powers that were decided were either too dangerous or too valuable were hidden in secret niches down there. Much of it was lost, but I know for a fact that what you seek is still down there, hidden." The anubis turned know to the depiction of Thoth. "Behind a symbol of mister know-it-all here," He gestured toward the depiction, "Lies a hidden chamber. One of a few that my people have uncovered."
Gram glanced at Chaltah and Stormbringer, wondering if they would figure out what he was after.
Post by Chaltah Songblade on Oct 20, 2014 18:45:07 GMT -5
Chaltah listened quietly as the Anubis spoke to Gram. When it glanced her way she stood there quietly, unphased by its presence. Though she knew that such beings were the symbols of death in Egyptian myth so she was ever so careful to keep her wits about her at the moment. She wondered what document Gram was after that had him a wanted man among some of the supernaturals. It had to be more than a simple document, though anything from the library of alexandria was anything but simple. As the Anubis motioned to the image of Thoth and that behind one of the symbol of one of him was a passage she started glancing around to see if she could find any symbols nearby.
Stormchaser stayed quiet and watchful, not saying a word, taking in everything that the Anubis was saying so that if it was needed later he might be able to recall something of note.
Chaltah spoke up at the end "How will he know he has found what he is looking for?"
Post by Nathaniel Graham on Oct 20, 2014 22:24:38 GMT -5
At Chaltah's question, the anubis leered at the woman, looking her up and down. "So he hasn't told you then?"
Not liking where the conversation was headed, Gram interrupted. "Get to the point. I've heard of these tunnels, surely you must have some way for us to make our way through that veritable maze to find what I've paid you so much for."
The anubis shot Gram an amused look, dragging his attention away from Chaltah. "Yes. I've drawn you a map." he tossed a small flash drive to Gram who pocketed it. "That drive contains what you'll need to find your way to the tunnel you seek." The creature's face became serious for a moment. "But don't go snooping anywhere for anything further than what you've paid for. My clan owns those tunnels and we're always watching, so behave yourselves."
With that and one last leer at Chaltah's chest before winking at Stormbringer, the anubis was gone, just as suddenly as he'd appeared.
"Well, that's a useful trick." Gram commented, staring where the creature had been only moments ago.
Post by Chaltah Songblade on Oct 20, 2014 23:53:42 GMT -5
Chaltah frowns a bit and looks over at Gram as the Anubis leaves "Just what is this thing you're looking for Gram? It seems to be a highly prized treasure to the supernaturals to be asking for payment for such little information and a map of the area where we're going" ignoring for the moment the gaze that the creature had sent her way
Stormchaser was also a little irritated but for now he kept his calm as he gazed at Gram "I suggest you tell us what this is you are looking for. Otherwise I fear our services will be cut off and we will be on our way" he didn't like being kept in the dark and now things were getting stranger yet. Why would an Anubis be so willing to transfer information about whatever it was so easily.
Chaltah nods in agreement to what her companion said "We're tired of being kept in the dark with only your torch leading the way"
Post by Nathaniel Graham on Oct 21, 2014 0:41:21 GMT -5
Gram looked at both of them, pale green eyes unblinking, actually considering telling them what he was after. At this point there did not seem to be any harm in telling them, so he decided.
"I'm after a scroll from the famed ancient library of Alexandria. This particular scroll was believed to have been lost when the library was destroyed, long ago. But if what I have learned is true, then it may have survived in the underground storeroom my contact has just given us the directions to." He watched the two of them closely, not volunteering any more information. Gram had told them what they'd asked, but it just wasn't in his nature to tell them anything more, unless they specifically asked him to.
"Your services have, so far, been very useful to me. There is nothing unusual that I have neglected to tell you. I would like for the two of you to stick around, in case we run into any hostile supernaturals. I assure you, there is no vital piece of information that I'm keeping from you."
Post by Chaltah Songblade on Oct 21, 2014 0:52:58 GMT -5
Chaltah watches him quietly as he explained he was after a scroll. She also realized Gram didn't specify what was on the scroll he was after. But she figured she could have a look for herself when or if they did managed to find the scroll. But first they had to find the tunnels that would lead them to it. "Very well, we'll stick this out... for now"
Stormchaser nods his agreement "Best whatever it is not get into hands that could use it against the mortals" and moves over to Gram "Let us see that map. Do you think the entrance is here in the library"
Chaltah moves closer as well, wanting to see just where it was they were going to be going to searching "Just how big is this place we're going to be searching for this scroll of yours anyway?" she didn't think this would be just as simple as going in and grabbing it
Post by Nathaniel Graham on Oct 21, 2014 1:38:17 GMT -5
"Well, I suppose entry from the ruins of the old library would be easiest."
When Stormchaser asked to see the map, Gram tossed the drive to one of his men who, a second later, handed him a tablet with all of the drive's information downloaded onto it. After a few swipes, Gram brought up a basic blueprint of the tunnel system, a red line tracing it's way through to their goal, and he handed it to Stormchaser, having memorized the path already in his head from the brief glance he'd given it.
"I am unsure of the exact size of the place, but with the map it should take us less than two hours to enter and make our way to where the scroll is hidden. I'm a little rusty on my ancient egyptian, so, if all goes well, I intend to take the scroll to a translator and from there our work should be more or less finished."
Post by Chaltah Songblade on Oct 21, 2014 1:52:35 GMT -5
Stormchaser looked over the map, studying it closely, before handing it over to Chaltah "Well, where do we start looking then? a lot of this place is ancient. Egypt is ancient. One of the oldest human civilizations and culture"
Chaltah nods as she takes the tablet from Storm and looks it over as well "Well at least he was nice enough to mark the path to take once we fine the entrance. Though he did leave that a little vague" she then passes it back to Gram when she was done looking at it. "Don't lose that. Last thing we need is someone picking it up and I'd say destroy that usb so that can't be used either " she looks around the room once more then back to Gram when she was done "You got any idea on where to start? I sure as heck do not have a clue"
Post by Nathaniel Graham on Oct 21, 2014 15:44:15 GMT -5
While Chaltah and Stormbringer were examining the map displayed on the tablet he'd handed them, Gram flicked through his phone, looking for an entrance into the underground library. When they were finished with the tablet, one of Gram's men placed it back into the bag he carried.
Looking up, Gram brushed a few strands of blonde hair from in front of his pale green eyes. "From what I can gather, it is believed the underground library remained in use until the destruction of the Serapeum, a temple dedicated to the god Serapis. So, it would most likely be best if we were to enter from underneath the Serapeum's ruins, as many who tour the underground library do."
Placing his chin in his hand, he thought for a moment. "It's a rather obvious entry way. If the group that's after us figures out where we are headed next, they may set up an ambush."
Post by Chaltah Songblade on Oct 21, 2014 17:11:51 GMT -5
Chaltah nods slightly as Gram explains where to start looking. "Well if that's the case they will have to already know where you are and what it is you're looking for. And even so we should have a couple days head start on them in any case. Unless any of them can teleport, which wouldn't surprise me, they don't know where we are or where we might be going or what it is that you're searching for" she heads for the exit "Let's move while we still have the advantage of time"
Stormchaser was more than a little upset that they couldn't stay to study the books in more depth in the library, but they were on a mission. With a sigh he turns and follows Chaltah as she makes her way toward the exit. "How about we stop and get a couple good translating books so we can learn while we're going?"
Chaltah looks at Storm then back at Gram "Would that be too much trouble? He does have a point. Far as I know none of us know how to speak the native language and it might be beneficial to learn as much as we can while we're here."
Post by Nathaniel Graham on Oct 21, 2014 17:36:10 GMT -5
"If they had the resources and know-how to discover what I was looking for in the first place and track me to Ireland, I doubt they'd have much trouble following us to Alexandria, especially since they were probably heading here to follow up on some leads themselves, knowing that the scroll originates from here."
At their suggestion that they stop and grab a couple translating books, Gram shook his head. "This scroll was written thousands of years ago, if the legends are true. I'm not going to even try to handle it, besides to carry it, once we find it. A manuscript so old is most likely incredibly fragile and I wouldn't want to risk damaging it."
"As for communicating with the natives," Gram nodded towards one of his men, "Part of why I hired Rick there was because he can speak their language."
Gram looked at Chaltah and Stormbringer. "I rarely expend time and energy on a venture and fail to properly prepare for the most basic obstacles."
Post by Chaltah Songblade on Oct 21, 2014 17:55:43 GMT -5
"Well I prefer to have some knowledge on the basic principles of the language as I think Stormchaser and I will be staying here for the winter." she looks over at Rick for a moment then back to Gram "You got anyone else who speaks it in case he ends up like your other men back in Ireland?" Stormchaser doesn't say anything for the moment as his nose was buried in the book that they had purchased, boning up on his language skills. "All the same it's best to have your own personal knowledge in case we have to split up" she goes back to reading the book as she asks another question "how long will it take for us to reach this temple that we're going to anyway?"
Stormchaser glances up from the book to look out the window, watching the scenery as it went by. "This place does have some nice scenery for being in a dessert"
Post by Nathaniel Graham on Oct 21, 2014 18:47:29 GMT -5
Gram shrugged. How they chose to spend their time after retrieving the scroll was of no consequence to him. "You two can grab a few books if you want. It does not really matter to me, but my men and I will be waiting outside in the cars while you do so." With that, Gram and his men left the building and climbed into the cars prepared to take them to the ruins of the Serapeum.
As he waited, Gram could not shake a certain feeling he was having. Something was bothering him, but he just could not put his finger on what exactly. Some minute detail, no doubt. Although he possessed a near photographic memory, Gram occasionally forgot things and nothing irritated him more than when he did. It was proof to him that he was fallible and, for all of his brain power, even he made mistakes on occasion to his eternal frustration.
Post by Chaltah Songblade on Oct 21, 2014 18:56:23 GMT -5
Chaltah and Stormchaser both bought a few books on culture, language and history while they were taking a time out from their mission for the moment. Once they had acquired all they wanted they hop into their car that was waiting for them and they set to work on studying all they could about Egypt as they drove on to their next destination "Still don't know how long it's going to take us to get there" Chaltah comments
"Maybe we should have bought a map?" Stormchaser offers as an after thought "hopefully we'll be stopping along the way if it is a long drive and we can get one then. At least we'll have a general idea of where we are and where we're going"
"That is a good idea Storm. We'll do that at our next stop. Never hurts to have one in case of emergencies anyway" she goes back to reading the translation book as does Stormchaser
