[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/7ed60a5b-c81e-4b36-b999-6fbd57fe519a.png[/img][h2][color=olive][u]~Ernald Joyce~[/u][/color][/h2][/center]
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[sub][i]Early Spring of the Year 315 P.F.[/i][/sub]
[sub][i]~Oldcross~[/i][/sub]
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Ernald woke early the next day, brushing the grime from his eyes with a low groan. His slumber hadn't been as restful as he'd expected, even after he'd taken into account just how uncomfortable the bedding would be, but it was something at least. Better than some of the places he'd slept in over the years anyway. Sitting upright, he swung his feet over the side of the frame, rising only after they had come to rest against the damp planks that made up the hut's floor. Stretching, he quickly got dressed, slipping on his mud caked shoes and heading out the door, but not before grabbing his notebook and quill. Wouldn't do for him to go about a full day of questioning only to forget the most important details at the end of it all. Tucking both items into the pockets of his coat Ernald strode out the door and into the streets beyond, the soil of which was a tad harder and thus easier to traverse than it had been yesterday, but not by much.

Thus the long walk began. He started off small, keeping his inquiries limited solely to those who seemed open to them before gradually broadening his search to eclipse a good chunk of the surrounding town and its more crotchety inhabitants. With that broadening came a whole host of different stories and tales, all of which would provide excellent anecdotes for his work. There was one tale, for instance, of a woman four years back who was rumored to be a witch on account of her tendency to collect soil from around the Maw, the act of which was considered quite strange due to its tarry and mostly unappealing appearance. He had been unable to learn of her ultimate fate however, as everyone he'd questioned had brushed the matter off with claims of bad luck and misfortune, but he could put the pieces together well enough. An accusation like that didn't go unnoticed for very long after all, not by the devout anyway. The stories he'd heard after that had gotten progressively less interesting as the day wore on, to the point where he simply fell back to observing the goings-on within Oldcross instead, getting a great deal of sketches in the process.

After a while though the sun slowly began to set, signaling an end to the day. Not wanting to be caught outside in the cold and dark, Ernald made his way down the winding streets until at last he was home. Stowing away his journal and pen, he was just about to turn in when a knock at the door gave him pause.

[color=olive]"Just a minute!"[/color]

He buttoned up his shirt as he moved towards the door. Opening it, Ernald was surprised to see Theodgar standing on the other side.

"Apologies for bothering you so late milord," Theodgar said, executing a short bow. "I hope I didn't interrupt your writings, but I've come to speak with you about the matter we discussed yesterday."

[color=olive]"I see. Well there's no need for apologies, I was just getting ready for bed."[/color]

Ernald propped himself up against the door's waterlogged frame.

[color=olive]"Now, I presume this is about my request to visit the Maw?"[/color]

Theodgar nodded.

"Indeed it is. You will be pleased to know that your tour of the mines has been arranged, albeit under a few conditions."

[color=olive]"Alright, let's hear them."[/color]

"First, you don't wander off no matter how interesting something may seem. Withric's passing should give you more than enough reason as to why. Second, don't interfere with the men working within. Last thing we need is you getting a pick through the eye by accident."

[color=olive]"Sounds reasonable. Anything else?"[/color]

"Yes, you will be personally escorted by me," Theodgar beamed, trunk-like arms crossed over his chest. "Merely as a precaution of course."

[color=olive]"Of course. So when do we leave?"[/color]

"Noon tomorrow," Theodgar said. "I figure that should give you more than enough time to prepare."

[color=olive]"Indeed it should,"[/color] Ernald replied, flicking a bit of dirt from the back of his hand. [color=olive]"I'll see you then. In the meantime rest well."[/color]

Theodgar nodded, "You as well milord, you as well."

And with that, he was gone. Swinging the door shut Ernald returned to his bed, plopping down with a dull and dusty thud, his mind falling once more into a deep and dreamless sleep...