Adaly looks at the skeleton, takes a deep breath “If we take the debtors mark could we come back within the year and still pay the 10.000 crowns?” “Of course, but once the year is up, or you die in between your soul will be taken to us” Adaly sighs, looks at Amara. They really need this information, and this would possibly be a backup scenario for her dead. She rather end up here than with her father.
“Okay I will take it” Adaly says, and she sees the surprise on Livia and Sam while Amara starts objecting, but Adaly looks at her friend “This is better than the alternative” she just smiles, and Amara nods in agreement.
The head curator nods in agreement and leads her down the back wing of the library. Once they walk into the hallway immediately four skeletons in red robes follow them, Adaly feeling nervous. She is led to a chair and sits down, puts her left hand down with the palm open and the head curator starts a ritual.
Thin, pale, green and white lines start forming on the palm, it stings, but she is used to the pain. The lines form a complicated geometric pattern, with runes she doesn’t recognize. She can feel the terms of the contract now in her soul, that is a contract she is happier with than the ones that she knows she already has in her name.
The head curator and Adaly make their way back to the entry way, and once they arrive the head curator starts saying “Now that the fee is paid, you have entry for 5 days to our library, let me lead you to your accommodations.” The head curator opens the big double doors and leads them through the library into the tower.
They are led into a massive room with another door and hallway behind it “So we have here 5 bedrooms and some 20 beds in the small bedroom for the servants. A living area, dining area and bathing area. Let the skeletons know what you want for dinner and at which time, and we shall make sure it is prepared. Now I shall leave you to your activities.” The head curator says and takes their leave.
Adaly breaths out and Amara immediately confronts Adaly. “You sold your soul?” Adaly chuckles “Third time is the charm, right? Anyway, this place seems like a nice place to go” Adaly jokes. She can see surprise in the paladins, but they don’t react. Heskeni already leaving to go towards the books, and the party lets her go.
Adaly looks at Sam “So Matthew, anything you would like to share?” Sam looks annoyed at her “No… and you are in the habit of selling yourself?” Adaly chuckles “This is the first contract I signed myself, but yes, the third in my name. My death shall be an interesting battle, I’m curious where I will go. Now shall we go explore the library, we are here on a mission” she winks, and Sam looks even more annoyed. But the party agrees and starts their investigation for more information on Ilhoketh, the citadel and the leviathan.
They agree to split up, Adaly and Livia looking specifically on information on the citadel, while Amara and Sam look into the Leviathan. During the day Adaly asks for food to be prepared at 7 to give them a nice long day of investigations. She wonders where Heskeni is and if she will be there on time for dinner, but expects the halfling to just be too excited and barely in their presence the coming days.
There is much new information for them in this library, not yet anything that has been worth her soul, but good first steps, maybe later they find the way to kill Ilhoketh. In the eve they return to the rooms, but Livia goes away to talk to the head curator for asking to name Sam with his chosen name rather than the name Matthew.
Adaly goes to sit down at the dinner table, Sam and Amara there, and Livia enters a few moments later. “Still not in the mood for sharing anything personal… Matthew” Adaly teases Sam. Sam rolls his eyes, and Livia looks concerned at him. “No but please refrain from using that name. There are still people who don’t take kindly to the name Matthew Valesquez. For all intends and purposes I am Sam Escoval.”
Adaly looks slightly annoyed towards him. “It is not fair, you know so much about us, and we know nothing about the two of you. A bit of sharing never killed anyone.” Adaly winks, and she can see Livia wanting to talk and share things, but Sam stops her. “No, we are just working together, I have no illusions who we are working with. You would also not share everything with us.”
Adaly starts smiling, her most wicked smile “Oh darling I am an open book, no secrets from me. What would you like to know?” Sam rolls his eyes and stands up “Livia lets retreat, but can I trust you will still call me Sam?” He asks while giving Adaly a death stare. Adaly smiles widen but she just nods in agreement.
Livia and Sam leave, and Adaly and Amara are left alone. Amara starts “So, that went well. What is the plan with the contract?” Adaly looks at her friends and rubs her head “We shall see… Come back and pay for it, I guess” Amara smiles “We could use the people who are chasing us and the ones with a contract on Heskeni, that should be close to 40 souls right?”
Adaly laughs “that would be a good plan, but then after the mission. Right now, the mark is actually nice, sort of a protection. If I die, I will at least not go to my father’s domain. Plus, possibly this will prevent his minions from killing me, giving us a tactical advantage.”
Amara nods in understanding and gives her a slight hit on the shoulder. “I am going to bed” Adaly smiles at her friend and enjoys the moment of quiet being alone in the room, before also retreating into one of the bedchambers, and sleep finds her easily.
Stories of my brain 