They entered the castle and looked about. It all look as if it was untouched by time. For an abandoned castle, it sure looked like it was dusted every morning. At the bottom of a large staircase sat a purple skinned Tiefling. His horns were medium sized that curled above ears. He wore a robe of purple with gold twine, design, and sash. Next to him sat the cloaked naked shapeshifter and standing just off the steps was the same dragon-born from before but it wasn't him. For this one wore a traditional samurai kimono. At his side was two blades one short and the other was long and curved.
Thia lead them to the stairs and started introducing the three. "Kalyssa and Gar, this is Ash." Pointed to the the tiefling whom nodded. Then to the samurai. "Thordak and Phantom" she pointed to the shapeshifter whom eyes were wide at the sight of Gar. Nervously Gar waved. Within an instant Phantom morphed into a small crab. It began sniping its claws at Gar. This one was the weirdest out of all of them.
"Knock it off seal-kin." Ash said and looked to be examining Gar from afar. "A green goblin..."
"Yes its weird. Anyways the one who shot at your friend is Emrad." With that said the dragon-born stepped up beside Kalyssa and Gar. This scared him and he tumble and rolled to the other side of Kalyssa.
"Looks like the little gremlin is a coward." The samurai name Thordak said with an insulting chuckle.
"Looks like honorable men are really just dress wearing assholes in disguise." Kalyssa snapped at Thordak. Emrad let out a loud laugh. Thordak growled and started up the stairs. "She burned you brother!" Emrad said with continued laughter.
Kalyssa looked down at Gar and winked. Gar put a hand on her leg and smiled. Never in his little life has he had someone care so much for him.
As they climb the stairs. Gar looked around for the possibility that the jewel he was sent to retrieve would be just laying on a table or something. But he seen no sign of it. They could have put it in a secret place or no jewel could be present. Gar sighed. This could be a dead-end for his mission.
The second floor was untouched by time just like the first. This one consisted of a long hallway from left to right with another stairs near on the right end.
The group split here to check some of the rooms. Gar had no idea what they were looking for so he stuck with Kalyssa, whom decided to check the paintings along the wall. They look from painting to painting. Some were just beautiful landscapes of forest, mountains, and villages. The skill of these paintings were perfect that it felt like you were right there witnessing their wonders.
As Gar was admiring a painting of a stream with aquatic life bursting from its waters. There was a gasp from Kalyssa. "Gar! Come here!" Then she pointed at a painting. Gar ran over and looked at the painting. It was a painting of a swamp and on a small log sat a happy little green goblin enjoying a piece of rabbit meat. "Gar its you. But how?"
Gar could remember that day. It was a bright summer morning. No orders. Nothing but him and his breakfast on his favorite log. This made Gar think of his cave. He so badly wanted to go back and not leave. That then made him think of having to leave Kalyssa. This made Gar's mind turn in circles.
Gar put his hand on the painting to trace the goblin in the painting. He then looked to the corner and seen some writing. Gar pointed to it and Kalyssa read out loud. "Alannah."
Thia's voice then came from behind them. "You mean this young lady in the painting over here." They walked over to Thia, who was looking at a painting of a young woman's bust. She had dark brown hair that touched the bottom of the painting that was draped over here left breast. She wore an expression of forced nobility on her pale face that looked to have been designed personally by the gods. She had ruby red lips and had beautiful brown eyes.
"She knows Gar?" Gar says with confusion. "Kah first Gar knows." He puts his hand on Kalyssa's leg. And stares at the portrait.
A voice broke his gaze. "And what seems to have taken you all so long?" A long black haired man stood at the stairs. "Times a wasting everyone. Legends say she is still in her tower." And before he ran up the steps with a wave to follow. Gar noticed something odd about this ones face.
"Gar be careful!" Seraphina's voice entered his mind. What brought the warning scared Gar. The mans face flashed to show the whole one side of the face was torn, rotted, and crawling with various insects. Gar looked to Kalyssa and her eyes were wide. Gar touched her hand and knew she was shaking in fear.
She held Gar's hand then mouthed a name.
"Joyrot"