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[birdy51]

Jason was no longer chuckling.

:"I'm not putting my men on the line for this. They risked their lives just coming here. What can I tell their wives and children if I told them that I took their father's into the abyss with me? As for myself going, you can forget about it. Stopping a prophecy from ever being fulfilled is one thing. Trying to stop the prophecy while the wheels are in motion? Impossible. And since you can't be a great man while dead... I'm holding back on this one."

[Xanmyral]

Isteus was starting to get a bit testy.

"So they can stay if they wish it, as I've said. I do not wish to ask you to bandy others' lives around without thought, I'm asking you to instead consider if you should give up Orpheus'. Surely you trust a man here who can look after the group? What is the difference between trying to stop the start when its start was already prophecies to that of stopping it when it has begun? Things are only impossible if you do not try, friend, life is such that way. Life is also generous enough to often grant second attempts."

The hawk folded his arms, watching Jason expectantly.

"Are you sure you just wish to simply stand aside while he pursues a fatal end, knowing there was another chance? To fail once to prevent his death and to just call it quits, that you've done your part? This man saved your life, all he wishes is to save another." The man failed to keep an edge out of his voice. He never was good at this diplomatic stuff, such was left to the philosophers and their slow lives cooped up in stone walls.

[SeriousConcentrate]

"Each man has their own path, lad. We can no more force him to walk Orpheus's path than he can force us to walk his. I would welcome his sword - indeed, 'tis a mighty one - but I'll not press the matter. Not every man is willing to walk into hell, even on a friend's behalf."

[birdy51]

Jason placed his hand on the hilt of his blade. He was making no effort to hid the annoyance in his voice.

: "There comes a time when a man has to walk his own path. And right now, I need to walk this path with my men. We've lost some of our own today. I need to oversee last rights as the man who led them to their deaths. To pass that duty onto someone else would be irresponsible."

He turned quickly to his comrades.

: "You two. Grab the weapons they requested and the gold. It's about time Orpheus and his friend here moved on."

[Gamerboy4life]

Nynaeve watched the argument betwen Isteus and Jason with a wary eye. Still, she was not going to step between these two men, with their anger starting to rise as it was.

So, she dismounted next to Wilson, lowering her voice.

"Brother Wilson, If you have such an interest in the underworld - why not join us? Seeing it with your own eyes must be more informative than any book or tablet. Not to mention, your staff would aid us greatly."

[birdy51]

Wilson pushed his glasses back onto his nose. Oh what a good joke.

: "Ohoho! Oh my! Why, that's just absurd!"

He drew closer to Nynaeve whispering conspiratorially.

: "Why, just this last battle, I nearly had a heart attack when that awful cat thing attacked me! If I didn't know better, I would say he was trying to kill me. Ohohoho! No, I don't think I can do anything like that again anytime soon."

[Gamerboy4life]

"They're called Laguz." Nynaeve said, casting a wary glance to the 'awful cat thing' in question. "Besides, imagine if you went down there, and were able to write your own tome on the underworld. A modernized, complete tome, with all first-hand knowledge of the underworld. Your efforts would be praised all over Greece."

"Also, this time around, you'd be on our side. You see how we are in a fight - nothing down there would even scratch you, if there were any threats at all."

[birdy51]

Wilson frowned.

: "Laguz... Well sure. But it's just not my place to go adventuring. I am but a humble priest of Apollo. I read the books, not write them! But... Assuming you do find what you're looking for... You'll come and tell this old priest what you found, yes?"

[Xanmyral]

Isteus looked from Khan to Jason, silent for a moment. He was conflicted, wanting to call the man out but at the same time he raised a fair point about the dead. He doubted their group would say no to waiting until it was finished however, but it was not his call to suggest such.

"As it would be. I wish you well on the rites, and that they may find their peace and have lived honorably. Perhaps we'll speak under more amiable terms once we've returned victorious."

[birdy51]

Jason nodded.

: "I am certain of it. Orpheus is lucky to have a Hawk such as yourself on his side."

As soon as he had finished, the weapons arrived.

: "Here you are... I trust they will serve you well in the trials to come. I've also taken the liberty of seeing to it that your Vulnerarys are refilled. You seem to have used quite a bit of it during our battle and would fain leave you without medicine. In addition... I have about 5000 gold for your funds. If Wilson said was true, you'll have to strike a deal of some sort with this ferryman, Charon. With that... I guess all that's left is opening the gate. Wilson, you figure out how to work this thing yet?"

: "Well... No. I haven't the slightest clue how to open that door! Hmm. I have some theories though. Perhaps I could try to-"

: "Bar my way no longer. Open."

Wilson turned to Orpheus with a face of abject confusion.

: "Dear master Heron, might I ask what you are doing?"

: "Talking."

: "To the door?"

: "Yes. It will be opening momentarily. Just watch."

The door tall and mighty looked down upon the Heron with derision, neither moving nor appearing to move anytime soon. They waited a few more seconds and silence reigned. Nothing. Wilson shot Jason a worried expression.

: "Oh dear me oh my. I fear master that the poor boy has gone mad in his grief... Perhaps we should-"

The twin iron guardians burst open with a gust of air. The doors slammed open, smashing into the walls of the citadel with a thunderous crash. Wilson stumbled backwards in fear and Nynaeve's horse began to panic. The soldiers manning the door shouted in fright and tumbled to the ground. Even Jason, a veteran of many combats in his own right, was clutching his fast beating heart. Only Orpheus seemed unsuprised by the outburst.

: "See? I told you it would open."

[Gamerboy4life]

Nynaeve was fiddling with her new crossbow. It was a bit of a foreign weapon to her. Well, all weapons were pretty foreign to her, for one thing.

She had just loaded the bow when the door flew open, startling both her and her horse. The poor beast reared, kicking it's legs and throwing it's unassuming rider from the saddle. As soon as Nynaeve hit the ground, a muffled twang could be heard, and the previously-loaded bolt was launched just a few inches past Matthew's ear.

"Gods, Orpheus! Can you magically open it a little more gently, next time?" The troubadour swore as she sat up, clutching her shoulder.

[Furtuka]

Coronis was watching the conversation and flung her wings in front of herself as a shield when the doors were thrown open.. When it was over she carefully peeked over her feathers before pulling her wings back behind her.

"I don't... How the hell did you know that would work!?"

[Swordstar]

"Gods, Nynaeve, you need to keep a better handle on that thing. You could have killed me!

Shaking his head, he turned back to Orpheus.

"Shall we head out then? No sense in waiting here doing nothing."

[SeriousConcentrate]

Kahn merely stroked his mustaches as he watched the doors open.

"Yes, let's, Matthew. I shall vanguard, as is my wont in life. Do follow quickly. I would quite like some ready assistance should things quickly prove more than even I can handle."

With that, he walked off toward the doors, halberd ready. As he passed Jason, he added,

"And my thanks, Sir Jason. For all you've done for us. A shame we had to meet as enemies, is it not? Perhaps if I come back from this trip, I might request joining your troop. I fear I will likely not, but all the same. Good day."

[Tiruin]

I will make sure you return. Cara mumbled as she followed Sir Kahn in suite. All of you humans.

The doors opened earlier--it was more than a shock to the huntress, yet she kept her expression unfazed. The instance prompted only raised eyebrows, yet deep inside a hastened heartbeat. Having kept silent and listened the whole time towards Wilson, Jason and the others, the notes of lacking equipment for Laguz--the fact that she would've been barred from even carrying human equipment if only to aid the rest in this journey--was distressing, especially when there was little equipment even for them present.

These thoughts in mind, she stepped up to Sir Kahn and patted him on the shoulder; as far as how the humans called a 'pseudo-vestigial mix of paw and hand' goes, a pat would be the sufficing term.

"Let me lead. Scent and hearing, not sight." she said, gesturing to forward the idea by addressing the senses and the landscape in turn.