The Beinz Blood Lake was a sacred ground for the Disciples of Glory, all along the lake there will be outposts set up by the church knights. Any adventurers or mercenary companies who had gotten the church's approval to venture into the area would need to report themselves there before being permitted to operated within the approved parameters. Even though there were many incidents near the lake of late and resulted in the management of the place being a little messy, this basic rule is pretty much ironclad.
While the Blood Lake was indeed sacred grounds, it was not forbidden grounds. The checks made for approved mercenaries were pretty lax and Hilda managed to get through by identifying herself as part of Hao Ren's party. The group then went towards the rest area on the elevated platform by the lake.
The facilities in the outpost was pretty bare bones. It was comprise of two towers and a few long tent-houses. The entire area was about 200 square meters wide. The whole outpost was build upon a rock platform that seemed to be raised by magic. Surrounding it was a number ward guardians, by the looks of things security seems to be the least of their worries. The wards could easily hold off most of the monsters that pop out of the forest. If things were pressing enough, there was another powerful garrison and ward guardians from the island at the centre of the lake for aid.
A portion of the outpost was designated for outsiders. As most of the mercenary companies had already retreated to Leyton, there were plenty of space there. Becky then led Hao Ren to look for the officer in charge of the outpost and after a simple registration process, they were given permission to stay for a short while. Aside from the rooms however, the food and medication had to be supplied by the tenants themselves. The church knights quartermaster would avail some of their stocks for sale, a primary source of income for the church in the Beinz region as adventurers and mercenaries were aplenty.
By the time the group had settled down in their camps, it was night.
After completing the registration process, Becky went about looking for the monks that would have came in touch with the mercenaries. When she came back to the tent, she had a rather disappointed look on her face.
Hao Ren and his group were sitting together discussing their next course of action when Becky showed up. Her dour look caught all of them by surprise. Vivian asked with a concerned look on her face. "What's wrong? Ill tidings?"
"Seems like striking it big isn't all that easy." Becky said as she sat on the chair. "I spoke to some of the folks here, and it seems like some renowned mercenary company had already searched the last area a week ago. Seems like aside from the western tribal mountains, most of the place had already been investigated, including the depths of the Great Ravine. Six teams had already went through the place for a good 12 days. You remember General Ophra? She being here is to personally monitor the process of the search. Most of the search areas were handled by her own personal elites. There's no place that they had not scoured yet."
The reason Becky had decided to tag along to with Hao Ren to the Beinz region was partly due to the sense of gratitude of receiving such a gift like the "music box". The honest mercenary simply just did not want to owe anybody favours. Another reason was that she wanted to try her luck at finding the Orb of the holy Synod. Perhaps by chance if she does find it, her reputation would have grown beyond measure.
She had never thought that the search had already progress to such a level and scale that it left her feeling powerless. General Ophra and her elites with the help of a large group of well known mercenaries had already combed every nook and cranny within the area and had nothing to show for their efforts. Her party was a tank that couldn't hold aggro, three 'mages' that loves to go into melee, and a scaredy-cat of healer/nanny that do not heal in combat...
Hao Ren and his group had little interest in the orb, only Becky who was the one with it in her sights, as such none present shared her disappointment. Vivian then shared her observation, "If you were to ask me, based on the reports of the day the Orb went missing, it really seemed like it was teleported away. If that's the case, wouldn't the chances of it being in the Beinz region small? It seems like a fool's errand to search from her."
"You don't know much do you?" Becky looked up towards Vivian. "The churches itself is protected by the scared bones of the previous popes. If someone were to use teleportation magics, they won't be able to get out of the Blood Lake region. After that, holy energy would lock the orb within a certain radius and the spell lock had not been broken before."
Hao Ren never though that the Disciples of Glory had such ability under their sleeves. No wonder they still believed that the Orb was still within the Beinz region. Seems like a plausible explanation, especially since some bones of a dead holy man is protecting it...
Something then dawn upon him, could a catacomb actually exist underneath the small church in the middle of the lake?
"So what's your plan next?" Lily asked without much reservation. "I'll let you know... we are not interested in the Orb... I think we had made it clear that we are only interested in the Blood Lake itself."
"You're still on about that?" Becky looked at Hao Ren and the others perplexed. After ruffling her hair for a bit, she went, "Well, that's that then. I too agreed just to be your guide to the area, and after reaching the Blood Lake we'd be doing our own stuff. We are an ad-hoc group anyway. I'll be heading towards the island tomorrow, to check for any clues. If you guys are interested do feel free to tag along, if not... then just do that you need to do. Just do let each other know before one leave, at least we part on good terms."
It was true that Hao Ren and his group were in a temporary group with Becky, this was made clear before they departed. Becky had come along as a guide and she had since completed their agreement.
Lily's ears then drooped. "Oh... I don't like farewells.... Makes me sad..."
Becky was much more open about it, being a seasoned mercenary she was. "Heh, well we'll be doing our own stuff for tomorrow, it's not like any of us is leaving for good. Besides, you lot will be in Holetta for a while right? We'll definitely have other chances to work together."
As she said that, she was aware that there and then was the end to their partnership. The group had no interest in the Orb and she cheerfully waved her hand. "I'll be going back to my room. I'm staying at the house at the far east side. We'll talk again tomorrow if there's anything. I'll be around before noon."
After Becky left, the room was quiet for a moment. Hao Ren and his party actually liked the lass. She was honest, cheerful and straightforward. Even though she was a little bit greedy her heart is at the right place, a reliable partner to have when you are out and about. But alas, their partnership was only temporary, and she was an 'outsider', so they would need to say their farewells sooner or later.
Now that Becky had left, they could discuss their plans in earnest.
"I plan to look around the centre of the lake tonight." Hao Ren said as he eyed the party. "Silent ops, bypassing the guards."
"Why do we still need to do things so secretly?" Lily couldn't figure things out. "You said you were not interested in the Orb. If you want to look for it we can just go along with Becky."
"I have no interest with the Orb, but I am curious about what actually happened in the church in the middle of the lake. Since some of the stuff I'll be doing is beyond the comprehension of this world, better if we keep to the shadows."
As Hao Ren explained, he put his treasured pot on the table and called the MDT as he opened the lid. "Get out, time to work."
"SSSHHHHH, your precious daughter is still asleep." the MDT ranged out in his head. "If you want to pull me out right now..."
Hao Ren took a look into the pot and found Lil Pea was sleeping soundly at the bottom of the pot. She had curled up by the MDT and hugging it tightly. Almost looking like the carps in those Chinese New Year decorations....
"Oh... if that's the case just soak in there for while longer. We'll only move out later at night."
Hao Ren then just left the MDT were it was and looked up towards Hilda who was seated at a corner.
"Right... there's some time left before night. Lets tell us your story. You had been looking at us for a good while now, I'm sure you have plenty of questions no?"
"Seems what you said earlier in the day were half-truths." Hilda had known this group of strangers about half a day ago, and from their actions now, she could tell that they weren't being totally honest with her. "So... the lady who had left, she is not part of your group?"