The trio and their guide were briefly stopped by spear wielding guards outside an opulent and meticulously hewn manor carved directly out of the massive cave's wall. The left guard approached Jaden, leaning in to whisper something before returning to his post.

With a look of mild surprise and delight Jaden informed his guests, “The matron will receive you in the sun cave. This means that the matron has the intention of treating you as visiting family of equal standing to her own children and allows for the dispensing of formality,” as Jaden lead them through the mansion he continued, “ In such a situation she likes to be called moma Ku.”

“And how would one address your matron if there was a desire to establish some polite boundaries?” Troy asked tersely.

“Oh, I-I might see where such sudden closeness might be uncomfortable. Calling her auntie Ku would suggest acceptance of social informality but insist on keeping family affairs separate. It would really only be polite for you to do so as the eldest and would mean that you are the speaker for your family,” Jaden said with visible reluctance.

What are you picking up on that I'm missing, Troy? If the message ability ran both ways this would be so much easier.

Wren thought at Troy, “Alright, you seem to know what's going on here so the ball's in your hands,” before directing at Lilly and Troy both, “Troy's likely in the know on something we aren't. I'm not oblivious to the the interest that seems to be directed at you, Lilly but we can't really afford to piss off the only friendlies for who knows how far even if there happens to be some particularly unpleasant quirks to this society. Swallow down and tolerate for now. If things get too ugly we'll take the nearest chance to book out of here.

Just keep in mind, both of you, that this world is dangerous as hell and we need as much information about it as possible. I don't want to cut losses and flee until we absolutely have to. If push comes to shove I've got a costly trump card but I won't use it unless our lives are in danger, not our pride or dignity, our lives. Let Lilly and I butter up moma Ku for a bit before you lay the auntie down, Troy. My gut tells me that things might get a little more frosty afterwards.

Lilly gave Wren a small, reluctant nod as her tension raised to noticeable levels in the connection. Conversely, Troy seemed to relax a bit, his presence shifting to charismatic socialite with practiced ease as they were taking in the large and elaborately decorated stone double doors in front of them.

“ Through these doors is the sun cave, our family's pride and livelihood. You might want to close your eyes.” Jaden said as he pushed through with surprising effortlessness. The sudden brightness suffusing the area elicited a sharp pain through even closed eyes that had grown accustomed to the perpetual twilight conditions in the city.

Discovered: Arcane Wellspring- lesser spiritual waterway

Current Title(s): Shale River Sanctuary (Sun Cave)

Current Guardian: Glaucous Riverson

Oh, what's this?

Optional Mission: A Brother's Fate

Mission Details: Deliver the 'Last Will and Testament of Malkanthor Umberdown' and 'Premonition of Usuway Umberdown' to Glaucous Riverson[3% EE and 20% AE required]

Reward: +20 Achievement points

+1 reputation w/ Keepers of the End faction (Balance Keeper Alliance affiliation)

Variable

Secure channel reading provided by Order of the Observers (stricken from logs when System UI is closed after reception

What is up with the SYSTEM trying to use me as a certified mail delivery man?Whatever. At least this is all positive and should be easy to complete.

Wren thought at Troy, “Get any good notifications on this place?”

As they walked through the garden path, Troy looked at Jaden and said, “Having such a beautiful and arcane sanctuary, it must be no small task guarding against other's coveting of it.”

“I appreciate the compliment as I'm sure that the Matron would as well. Mother, Troy was speaking praises of our family's sun cave,” Jaden deflected as the group approached a shaded gazebo nestled snugly among dense but orderly vegetation.

Stepping into the shadowy structure, it took a little time to readjust. What greeted them was the sight of a patrician faced, slender woman well past the blush of youth but still easy on the eyes.

I'd be willing to lay money down that that charcoal gray skin would have a velvety purple sheen in the light. Even her ears are more reminiscent of elvish fantasy than the sonar dishes that most of her peers are sporting. That's one hot mama!

“We have much to be proud of during our centuries of stewardship but we count the continued heartiness of all families within the entirety of the ancestral hold as our crowning achievement,” stated the lovely matron demurely. “Please sit. My precocious granddaughter insisted on overseeing the selection of fruits and other delicacies to welcome you with. I dare say the whole family is more than a little excited to greet our honored guests. However, for the sake of courtesy I've shored the tide of curiosity to give you a likely much needed respite. Likewise, I myself, will curtail curiosity to casual conversation. We'll have plenty of time to become better acquainted in coming days.”

“Then it seems that we have yet one more thing to be grateful to your family for, mama Ku,” Wren crooned.

“At the very least, we owe your sons a heartfelt thanks, mam-er moma Ku,” blurted Lilly, seemingly more interested in her boots after the slip of social etiquette than engaging in any further conversation.

The Matron graced Wren with a momentary smile of mild pleasure before gazing at Lilly with benevolent understanding. “Yes my, eldest is a constant source of joy to me and my youngest here is no less so for his gentle care and intelligence. Surely my blessed sister is smiling upon him from the Shadowlands,” the Matron briefly paused to place a hand on Jaden's arm in tender concern. For Jaden's part, he looked far more uncomfortable than mollified.

Stories within stories here but frankly I couldn't give two shits less as long as it's not gonna affect us. Jaden, why do you have to have such a juicy mission attached to your blue, whirl marked ass?

Taking the opportunity to introduce everyone during the lull in conversation, Jaden continued by prompting the Matron to extend invitation to the small banquet laid out on the table.

Okay, so eating time is quiet time. I'm cool with that. Never did much like conversation over a meal.

After indulging in a few bites the Matron allowed for a comfortable amount of time to pass before resuming conversation. “ Eldest Troy what are the continued plans of your roaming family? You wouldn't be looking for a place to lay down roots per chance?”

“Not so much, auntie Ku. As welcomed as we find your hospitality, we will likely continue our journey after having caught our bearings,” Troy delivered cool but not unkindly. If not for the Matron's brief freezing of movement and Jaden's visible flinch, no change would have been noticeable as the conversation trudged on.

“Then I have a small but hopefully not entirely unpleasant piece of news to deliver to you, eldest Troy. Outside of my own eldest's running band it would be difficult to find a band willing to run a group back to the surface during the spring and early summer. Families have many duties to attend to at this time of year and even he may not have an opportunity to do so within the next two lunar cycles. We will keep you well informed, of course.

In the interim, if you find yourself with more idle time than you can bear or the weight of hospitality too heavy there are many opportunities to be had, not only here at the Suncave estate but also with young Riverson's teacher,” the matron paused a moment before continuing, “ A word of caution, eldest of your family. I would not malign my people but being the ones who found you we have a duty of hospitality to attend to your needs. Other families may be willing to open their doors to you as well, however, it would come with expectations. Ones you may find yourself loath to accommodate.”

“And your expectations, auntie Ku?” Troy said with placid face but apprehension in his voice.”

“To uphold Suncave's long standing tradition of being generous hosts to respectful and properly grateful guests are my only expectations, eldest,” the Matron smoothly delivered. “ In the meantime, enjoy the use of our riverside pavilion while we prepare a suite in the manor for your use. Jaden will make himself available to see to your needs for now. Once my eldest has returned tomorrow, he will want to greet you properly, I'm sure. Take this time to reflect on what you desire out of your stay with us. If you'll excuse me.”

As the Matron took her leave with purpose filled grace, Jaden stepped back up to the plate with brittle joviality, “These are trying times but rest assured that our good will is real. If you'll follow me I'll show you to the pavilion. Take my word that your stay in the pavilion will be peaceful and comfortable.”

Oh, I have no doubts of your good will, Jaden but I'm not buying any of mama Ku's snake oil.

I hope this question isn't a breach of courtesy but your family name isn't Suncave?” Wren prompted.

“I am certainly a Suncave. It's just that my special circumstances require I carry my father's family name,” Jaden gathered himself and finished a little unsteadily, “If we are fortunate, perhaps my father will show himself. He is, well, a bit reclusive.”

“On the chance that we may meet your father may we know his name?” Wren fished.

“Well, um, he only ever shared his name with his first favored and she never shared it,” Jaden mumbled at nearly inaudible volume.

A few minutes, and an antechamber sub-cave later showed the group standing before a mostly open-sided structure that had more in common with a shrine than resting place. A wide but shallow looking underground river meandered through the background, revealed in glory by a single beam of concentrated light refracted through a countless multitude of crystalline pebbles adorning its bed, broken only by an ominous circle of darkness close to it's exit point from the cave.

As Jaden began showing the various amenities of their temporary dwelling place, Wren stepped to the water's edge.

At first I was content to play this whole situation by ear but I get the distinct impression that the more we dance to the tune of these people the more complicated and potentially dangerous our situation will become. If that's the case lets take a bit of calculated risk.

In a calm but carrying voice Wren exclaimed, “Glaucous Riverson, I come bearing grim tidings and messages of great importance.”

Wren could feel the intense stare of three individuals, stunned into silence, boring into his back while a building sense of dread rose within from the palpable aura, laden with age and power, rolling towards him from the stygian pit in the water.

“Then speak we shall, calamitous herald.”