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Sylass looked over at him with his mouth full of steak. He quickly swallowed it."Couldn't find him. Sylass needed break." He said as he grabbed a coin purse."Gaunt go find tailor and get own dress. Sylass need armor." With that he left to find his own shop. For a Lizardfolk, he was quite generous. Normally they keep their money to their own.

The streets were slowly growing more empty for some reason, though it was still a rather busy day. Once the people got out of their stores they headed into the same direction, towards the Magmatic Square.

Gaunt decided to follow the crowds. He'd get his robes later.
The square was allready filled when Gaunt arrived. "What is going on here?" he muttered.

At the far end of the Magmatic Square was an angry dwarf shouting in an old fashioned microphone hanging by a cord connected to the stone ceiling."Whatever these creatures are! We have the situation under control! Our experts are currently looking into the matter, but we know one thing! People with the ability of magic are responsible! Mages and Wizards have caused us this grief! And I promise in the name of Fato Axis, our guide in these times, that I shall find the collaborators in this city and hang them personally!"

To this speech the crowd cheered wildly, although not the ones in the back. These people knew about a mage who had driven these Skinless back by summoning a dragon. They felt nothing for the Dwarf's rant, and neither for Fato Axis, a former hero preaching against magic and currently living in Kurin's Pride.

This Dwarf, named Braggas Stoneheart, was the head of the Ironguard dwarves, the police of this city. They rule with an iron fist and have alot of pull on the King, Travis Coalbeard.

As Gaunt heard the dwarf finish his speech, he just shook his head. "People are going crazy these days..." He then looked around him. around him were the people who'd come in later, who know about his dragon summoning. They didn't seem to care much for the dwarfs crazy ranting. At least there are some people I can turn to when needed.

Sylass had just walked out of the smith with a new set of scale armor, adorned with bones of various animals and inscribed with words of wisdom from the Blackscale clan. The Smith was a smart one, having learned much from different cultures and implementing them in his craft.

The Lizard was about to buy some new weapons until a skinny little Human ran over to him, wearing pitch black clothing adorned with gold; the King's colors."Honorable ser Lizard." He cried out. He managed to get Sylass' attention at 'ser'."What does little man want?" "The king has invited you and your Wizard friend to the castle. It's about these monsters attacking us." He explained."Skinless?" "Not so loud!" The man looked around. Luckily most people were at the speech at the moment."The King will explain everything. If you'll grace him with a visit, that is."

It didn't take long for the Lizard to agree. He went over to the Tailor's shop. If Gaunt was headed that way, Sylass would be waiting for him.

Sylass had maken the right choice, Gaunt was allready there by then. He looked up as the lizard approached. "There you are Sylass. Finished your shopping?"

"Not yet. King needs us. About Skinless, probably." He spoke."After Dwarf King done yammering, Sylass buy himself new axe. Old one is worn out. Might get mace too."

If Gaunt were to follow him, Sylass would take him to the Dwarven King's hold, a giant fortress across a deep chasm, connected to the rest of Reinstaten via a wide drawbridge. Inside the hall it was very big. Obviously this was a Human Keep once, since Dwarves don't really like tall ceilings. Soon the pair would walk into the Throne room, which looked more like a trophy room, with all the skins and heads hanging from the wall. In a large steel and bronze throne sat the Dwarven King, listening to a very familiar Drow.

Travis Coalbeard was worthy of his name. His beard was braided neatly, fit for a king, and pitch black. He was a stout Dwarf with large arms. Next to his throne was a warhammer, adorned with various gems."Alright, we heard the Elf's story." He said with a deep voice."Ah, the other two have arrived!" He stood up."Come walk right in, make yerselves at home, 'n most importantly, tell me about those bloody things attacking us!"

Gaunt took the lead. "We know just as much as you, King Coalbeard." He had picked up the king's name on the way to the keep. "We first encountered them in a village not far from here, and once more as we entered your city's airspace. We got shot down, but we managed to fight our way through to the gates." Gaunt didn't really know if the king had heard of his summoning, but he didn't mention it specifically.

Stasi nodded."I told him the same thing." She was less cheery than usual. And for a good reason. The crash killed her father.

The king sighed deeply."I'm aware o' the legend. There's two things I care 'bout. How many there are and how we kill 'em! Yer little stunt with the Dragon helped, Human. So far the soldiers managed to keep 'em at bay. But how long before they attack again? Reinstaten will be defenseless once they manage to dig underground!" He sounded worried."You three are survivors. 'N I like survivors. I need you for a certain task."

Sylass' tongue slithered through his lips again. He always seemed to do this when something interests him."Sylass wish to know about payment." The king frowned."Ya think I'd let you do this uncompensated, Lizard? I'd be offended if ya didn't want my money. Rest assured, you'll be payed well. Now this is what I require o' you lot."

"What I need ya to do is go to the library of Atras. Ya might think Atras is just a simple town by the lake, but there's a hidden library there underneath house number 89. The Human kings who used to rule these lands have hidden books there only meant for the Royalty and their Court Wizards to read. Most of us Dwarves don't really read books, unless it's our job. So how about ya lot go check out this library, see if there's something old down there that can be of use? Some of them books date back in the years before the Skinless were present. Whada'ya say? You in?"

Gaunt nodded, but still appeared concerned. "We can do that," he said. But what if the skinless resume their attack before we return? How long can your city resist them?"

The King laughed loudly like any Dwarf would."Lad, this a city ran by Dwarves! It takes more than a couple of freakish corpses to tear down our gates! And even when they do, they have to face ME!" He grinned."You'll have plenty of time to complete this task. That's not to say you shouldn't hurry. There's lives at stake here. There's a good chance Atras has also been overrun, so I'm sure Sylass here can provide enough protection. Take the Underground Cartroad. It'll take you to Waterfort, which is closest to Atras. Show the driver this seal." He explained as he threw a seal picturing a crown, two pickaxes and a coal nugget. Sylass catched it non-chalantly."He'll know who to call."

Gaunt nodded. "Allright then ser. We'll do as you ask." Gaunt was more excited than he let them see, Reinstaten's secret library hasn't been found by mages outside the city.

Stasi was very excited. Much like Gaunt she had heard of this secret library. Knowledge shouldn't be kept away, unless for a reason. She was about to find out that reason."My lord, it will be done!"

Sylass, of course, wasn't looking forward to being in a library with two bookworms. Books were not meant for him."Sylass accept quest." Though the reward was promised to be a great one.

Sylass turned to the two mages."Sylass suggest we meet in hour at Underground. Sylass still must buy weapons." Stasi agreed."I'll be there within the hour."

"Very well." Gaunt agreed and nodded.

A new chapter in this adventure was about to unfold. In the free hour they had left Sylass bought himself some new weaponry; a spiked mace portraying a round ball, covered in ancient scripts of the Lizardfolk. The same went for the double edged axe he bought. Both the weapons had a dark shine to them. The smith who made these weapons was actually a Lizard from the Coaltongue clan, a clan that had been slaughtered by the Mountain Orcs years ago. The smith was one of the few survivors who sought refuge in cities far away from any green skinned races.

Stasi simply freshened herself up. She leaned onto her father's staff as she awaited the coming of her two companions, trying to hide her sadness. There was nothing she could do for him now, and though he died, she could still save many lives by discovering a weakness in the Skinless' ranks. Sylass arrived right on time, fitting his new armor and weaponry of which he looked proud. If Gaunt knew something about ores, he'd knew these weapons' edges were made of Onyx. It cuts harder, but needs much sharpening since Onyx gets dull quite easily. Still, it could cut through most armors.

Gaunt had found a renowned robe tailor, and himself fitted in the best robes money could buy. Enchantment runes were carved on it, offering protection during battle. He also managed to enhance is staff by harmonizing it. He then went to mee the others. He raised a hand as he approached them. "Is everyone ready?"

Sylass nodded. Stasi as well, though she cared to actually reply."Of course. Though I don't believe we've been fully introduced to each other yet. My name is Stasi Danderring, librarian at the Ghan Academy of alchemy and magic. I've seen what you two are capable of in combat. I'll show my worth once we reach that library." Sylass nodded."Name is Sylass of Blackscale clan."

After everyone got introduced the odd group of travelers set forth to the Underground Cartroad. The great hall had a high roof. In the distance the group could see tons of people lining up, hoping to get a ride away from Reinstaten. Sylass went over to an Elf wearing the conductor's outfit and showed him the seal."Ah, so you're chosen by the king on an errand, I take it? Very well. I'll take you Bastos Baldhead, he manages the King's cart."

The group was lead to a chamber apart from the crowded hall and saw a row of three carts attached to one another, with on the front an engine cabinet. The Dwarf emerging from the cabinet was a drunk one with a wild grown beard and a bald head."Bastos!" The Elf cried out."We've got a couple of chosen travelers for you." The Dwarf seemed dazed."wha...wha? Whodunnit?"

Ahh... Just our luck, Gaunt thought.

Ser Bastos, would you be so kind as to take us to Waterfort?

"Wha... ride? OH RIDE! Yeah, I can be that kind, princess." He laughed loudly, spit and beer flying everywhere as he did."Show me yer kingly sigil 'n I'll take ya wherever yer heart desires."

Sylass showed the drunk dwarf the sigil."Drunk man can't ride cart. Will crash us!" Bastos just laughed at that."All I needs me to do is pull a lever. I can handle it, greenskin."

Soon, the group would each be in a seperate cart, which would speed over underground rails. There wasn't much to see, as the caves were pitch black. But after an hour, Bastos managed to get them safely into Waterfort, where they'd see where the Dwarves got the name from.

It was quite litteraly a fort filled with water streams leading to every stone building the Fort had to offer, kind of like a less romantic version of Venice.

Gaunt looked around. "Well, I could summon a huge watermonster here," he said.
"Gaunt's summonings themselves didn't need resources, but he could always strengthen them by certain elements in his environment.