Knights of Tezoth

- How is it that father and Eugene are so awesome, yet ended up in such an absurd situation? Now they'd have to die underground while the fate of all Tezoth is decided on the surface, yeah. And did your strategies and fencing really help you that much? Ehh... Well, never mind, those two will somehow survive. - Despite the contemptuous tone in his voice, deep down Aldelion worried about his relatives. - And Hatarait has disappeared somewhere. At least Iron stayed here; Rainris gives me goosebumps. He could have been a perfectly nice guy, but those cold eyes of his... Brrr. Hmm. Oh.
Taking advantage of the fact that no one was bothering him now, the young heir hung on the wall of his room a portrait of the Deity of the Dark Age he had previously stashed away - this depiction of Satanid the Malevolent had been painted by the capital's artist Aforzius Roselizhener on his own commission, and only now could he make use of its buffs.

+1 to learning, +1 to all characteristics.
- Hehehe... His Malevolence would hardly approve of this look, but he's no longer in this world, so there's no one to protest. Should I go lift some iron myself? A healthy mind in a healthy body, as they say. Oh, right - I need to find Heraldica, maybe I can offload some of my duties onto her. Where on earth has she gotten to? Of course!

Having gathered himself, Aldelion headed into the forest, found a hole in the ground hidden by leaves and branches, climbed down into it, and set off wandering through the long tunnels whose existence only he and his cousin knew about. After several hours of such wandering, his ears finally caught the sound of a pickaxe striking stone.

- You're still digging tunnels, aren't you tired of it?
- No.
- Aren't you hungry?
- No.
- Let's go up.
- No.
- Let's go.
- Fine, let's go.
And they went.
- Still sulking at uncle for not taking you along?
- Yep.
- Come on, maybe it's for the best.
- It's not for the best. I really wanted to go on the expedition.
- Well, maybe such an opportunity will come up in the future.
- It won't. And anyway, I'll either be killed in the war or raped by Carnea's spies.
- ... What are you talking about?
- The truth.
- What truth, what are you even talking about, what spies?
- Spy ones.
- Talking to you is sometimes even harder than talking to Eugene.
- Talking to Eugene is easy. He's straightforward.
- Too much so, if you ask me.
- You could take a page from his book.
- I've been told that my whole life. Should I also hit on every dumpling I meet?
- I think your father would like that more than what you have now.
- ...
- And anyway, Eugene doesn't hit on everyone, only those he takes a liking to.
- Yeah, but that trait loses its meaning given the numbers, don't you think?
- I don't know. I'm a virgin, after all, what can I tell you about that?
- ... Did you find anything interesting underground?
- A diamond vein, some gold, giant centipedes.
- The last one could have been skipped.
- Don't worry, they're too big - they won't fit in your ear or mouth.
- Gera! - Aldelion facepalmed. - Are you sure you're my relative?
- What, is there anyone normal among us?
- True enough... Hmm, looks like we've reached the surface.