The journey was slow going, and the aqueduct was much further than either would have thought. In fact the two slept twice during their foray into the darkness. It reminded Cyrdic far too much of the Middle Mountains, and oftentimes he had trouble sleeping because he suspected Ratmen or Goblins to charge from some unknown corridor in the darkness. But speaking to one another and joking, eating the provisions they brought, and helping one another walk, they made it to the edge of the cavern. A makeshift door was at the top, and with both of them pushing, the door burst open and they fell into soft earth. 

Once they collected themselves, they saw the two of them were overlooking a sizeable town below the sloping hill they stood on, and a massive river in the distance. Past that, huge walls and looming spires covered what Cyrdic knew must be Altdorf, if his guess was correct. Which meant this town below them must be Carroburg. 

He didn't care if it was Praag in the middle of a Chaos incursion. He just needed a bed, and some food, and the wind on his face was far more pleasant than he had ever remembered it being. He also needed a bath, he decided. 

[i]6 hours later...[/i] 

Carroburg was a veritable maze of twisting streets and stairs. Since water and waste travel downhill, the more well-off the residents of a neighbourhood are, the higher up the hill they would be Cyrdic learned. The bottom tier of the city practically felt the lapping of the river Reik flowing across their boots. He could have done without the stairs, truth be told. He had healed much quicker than he had anticipated, but he still felt far too stiff for his liking. 

Once they had reached a tavern, they had set about contacting the Carroburg authorities so they could send word to Altdorf about their package. Unbeknownst to them, the cousin of Boris Todbringer, Leopold von Bildhofen, Duke of Carroburg (and rumored relative of Magnus the Pious), heard of their arrival. In true blunt Middenland fashion, he immediately invited them to his house as guests. If Cyrdic had doubts of this being Carroburg at first, passing the famed Greatswords of Carroburg that stood on guard at his estate was an eye opener. 

Leopold von Bildhofen had them regale their tale to him, guffawing with horror and barking with laughter at every turn of the story. He claimed he wouldn't have believed it if it were not the fabled heroes of Middenhiem. Once he was satisfied, he offered them a place to stay in his cousin's estate, next door. Boris never truly visited, but as the Count of Middenland, he had a vast palace to live in this important trade city. 

It was an ancient mansion, tall with narrow windows and no entrances to the residence on the ground floor, oddly enough. Cyrdic heard rumor it was so that the mansion would be harder to storm from rioting peasants. He didn't want to think about a wrathful and powerful man like Boris Todbringer fighting peasants who dared insult him. 

Baths and food had been provided for them. Cyrdic had gotten out of his bath first, and had made it to their room to check and clean his equipment. He still found it funny they couldn't use the Graf's room. Not that he felt he deserved it, but if they were here and he wouldn't be for months, he did not see the problem. He guessed he was used to sharing room with soldiers. 

His feet killed him and his legs were sore, but he didn't relent wiping his sword, shield, and treasures of grime and wet until they were clean. The food that had been provided for them was set on the table next to the huge bed. Cyrdic wore new, loose fitting trousers that were quite comfortable to wear, and a soft linen shirt lay across his shoulder, not yet on his body. Once Camilla walked in, she'd see his scarred back to her as he finished wiping his Norscan shield. The food smelled extravagant. It must have taken some will for Cyrdic not to dig in before her. 
[@Penny]