Hours later, the excavation was more or less going as planned. With the death of the shaman, most of the goblins and orcs saw fit to scramble away, though there were always stubborn ones. Afterwards, Kayden ordered the men in the mines to retreat, allowing Morek and Sketti and the other dwarfs to form their own temporary units and thoroughly route what greenskins were left, letting the soft menfolk eat and rest. Neil (and Sketti) had been a bit saddened by the fact that no explosives had yet been needed, but Kayden allowed that sergeant Edwards could go beneath with them and if they needed it to be done in a place outside of the safe zone, he would grant them allowance to. 

Meanwhile, Francesca had been given thanks by Kayden and suitably collapsed, given an entire's days rest. Kayden felt like he needed the same. He was not entirely claustrophobic, but during his adventuring years with Morek before this outfit, he had experienced a little too many terrors of the deep to feel comfortable in there, and this latest excursion had nearly incinerated him. He loathed the aristocracy for their unearned sense of self worth and vanity, but he had always been an exceptionally dashing individual, and once he had come to terms with his life still in tact, he fretted a bit over his singed hair. Once that was done, he had gone to Lady Blackwood's tent with only the barest moment to be announced. Mesmer was there, his vitality somehow returned. He barred Kayden's way as surely as a stone wall, much like how Morek would do so at his tent. Silent and foreboding.

"Come in, Captain." She called, and only then did Mesmer step to the side like a yawning gateway. Kayden eyed him for a moment, and he flipped the pavilion's flap open to enter, stepping onto a lush carpet. The inner section of the spacious, too spacious, living quarters was illuminated by candles. From the outside, he knew there could be no room for any other chambers, but whilst to his left was a large desk of arcane scripts while strange fetishes from he guessed was distant Cathay, to his right was a soft sitting chair and beyond it was another exit that led further in to somewhere. The Lady Blackwood stepped out, having just fixed the fringe of her own tied up hair. She wore black as was her custom, but her usual ostentatious robe and corset combination that commanded respect was replaced by a a simpler but elegant shift that one might sleep in, albeit still accompanied by her amethyst jewelry. It hugged her lovely form, but despite her nonchalance, now that he knew who or what she was, he could see she was cloaked in power in some anticipation. Whether it was because she expected him to assail her tent with the entire army or to distract her from an assassin, he was not certain. "Can I help you?"

"You've helped quite enough," he said, pulling his hand away from his amethyst earring. He was wondering if it would be good to get it replaced. "I was nearly burned to death and my second almost drowned. The entire mine nearly collapsed atop us. Is it amusing to toy with us?" 

"Slightly, but I was not toying with you there." She corrected him, reclining on her cushioned chair. "There was a mage of some skill below, more than you likely suspect. I solved it for our goals. I did not deign to endanger you." 

"No, it just almost happened anyway because of your secrets." He said, and the silence hung for a moment as they stared at one another. Eventually he capitulated, more out of his own conscience than any power of hers. "But, better my life than those of my men. However, you could have told me earlier you were a sorceress. I would have thought you would concede it is of particular note." 

She chuckled. "Taken from [i]La'Teirsen's Contemplations[/i]. Are we going to argue philosophy, Captain? I do miss my time at the Scholars Sanctum." 

"We could, and we likely will, but I would rather a straight answer at present, my lady." 

"It is no one's business but my own, however I do not wish for it to be advertised regardless. I would ask for your confidence as well, for the time being. I know you can convince your dwarf friend to do the same." 

"And Francesca?" 

"I gave her a poultice to help her sleep. Oh don't worry, Captain. It's harmless and she'll forget my part by the morning." She said, and then looked at him appraisingly. "You're better at the sword than I anticipated."

Mesmer stepped into the tent before Kayden could reply. The brooding, quiet man gave a bow to Calliope, who sat up inquisitively. She rolled her hand to bid him speak. "My lady, Otto has returned. He brings news..."