Finally, with a low [i]thunk[/i], the safe opened - Firoz eagerly pulling the metal door open.

“Well, I’ll be damned…” Willory said as he climbed back up on top of the desk.

“What?” Iliskra asked as she crammed assorted roots, blossoms, and herbs from a nearby table into her bag of holding.

“Empty!” Willory spat, stamping one foot on the top of the desk. 

“What?” Iliskra asked again in a sharper more distressed tone, this time turning around to face the safe. Firoz pulled the safe door all the way open against the wall revealing the safe to be bare. Iliskra’s shoulders slumped at seeing the empty safe interior. While this invasion of Jadarl’s estate had not been a waste of time considering what Iliskra had copied from the letters - not to mention the mixtures and alchemical ingredients they had taken - not coming away from here with pocketfuls of coin or jewelry was nothing short of disappointing.

“Hey… what’s this?” Willory asked suddenly, reaching a meaty little hand inside the safe. The halfling made a pinching motion with his index finger and thumb and held up what looked to be a polished pebble of sorts that was resting inside the safe. By now Iliskra had overcome her momentary disappointment and realized that the safe was just bait. A trap for thieves. But before she could shout at Willory to warn him not to touch the small stone it was too late. [url=https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Stone_of_alarm]A high pitched squeal suddenly tore through the air[/url] that made everyone cry out and cover the sides of their head, Willory dropping the stone which bounced down onto the floor. The stone continued to emit the shrill keen which carried out the door and down the hallway. 

“A stone of alarm!” Firoz shouted the obvious, though no one heard him as they all desperately covered their ears against the piercing noise. Iliskra felt feint vibrations against her soles from the floorboards. The low, rapid pattering of running feet. The guards were on their way and Iliskra and Leon needed to get out of this place now.