The Keepers of Chaos: A Vault of Hell

Ammalia Cassalanter: XXVI

"Piqut Thaumo sijy." Ammalia waved a hand opening an unseen closet; she pulled free her faith's gown and mask, throwing it on as she tossed pieces of her former outfit behind her. She entered the secret entrance for the church and rapidly descended the stairs finally arriving at the temple. The church was a marvelous view from the front, like an enormous cross a small brazier held in the hands of Asmodeus the church had banisters and braziers of all sorts of fire railing its edges. Yet still it sent a cold shiver up her spine to step inside once again.

"Lady Arch Priestess.. This way." Ryvvik walked past her a little timid in his step, something that was not like him, he resembled Nelius more than he did himself. He led her to a separate room above the right bannister where she found her husband and several others waiting. Victoro like her was dressed in a gold, red and black set of robes the mark of an Arch Priest his face normally handsome was shielded by a thick gold theater mask twisted in a permanent grin.

"My lady." Seffia, a new follower, bowed instinctively as she entered the room. The twenty foot wide room housed six individuals now seven counting herself. Ryvviks new band of renegades tasked by her love, and of course she and her husband. Victoro was leaned over the mahogany table inspecting its surface.

"My love." Victoro regarded her warmly. "Nihiloor has been.. Defeated.." He admitted amazed. Her eyes grew wide, what? What did that- her heart beat rapidly and panic began to set in. What did that mean? Why was Victoro so tranquil about it?

"Did he.. Gather what we need or?" Ammalia circled around the table a large map of waterdeep spotted with separate little mystical tacs to indicate stores and shop fronts, careful to keep the rising worry from her throat.

"No." Victoro admitted bitterly. "No matter, If I am to be honest.. That plan was a poor one. Say Nihiloor had pulled the location of the vault from Renaer.. Then Xanathar would have it just as much as us." Ammalia wanted to plead with her husband to explain quicker but he spoke slowly and took his time.

"My Lord." Nelius piped in, he stood next to Cersei a girl Ammalia was quite fond of, she was a bit off kilter and definitely obsessed with her creations but kind. "If not Nihiloor, how would we find the vault?" Nelius was an odd lad she thought, the blonde haired blue eyed elf who seemingly hated nobility stuck to her family like a starfish. Ammalia pursed her lip the answer slowly dawning to her, years of taking in Victoros intelligence.

"Lord Neverember is bound to be frightened." Victoro murmured. "He will probably be alerted to the fact his son was abducted and almost interrogated by a mind flayer for the location of the stone.. The Stone of Gondorr will no longer be safe. In my opinion.. He will attempt to move it, give it to someone he trusts.." Victoro circled the map his head cocked like he was listening to music in one ear.

"The question is who.." Ammalia licked her teeth; they had too little information.

"The stone of Gondorr?" Seffia raised a hand. The new woman was shorter, well built and had a pretty face though her velvet eyes were a tad unsettling.

"A mystical relic enchanted by Dagult Neverember to hide the location of the vault." Gysheer explained. "It is how, when the city Lords questioned him, they found no record of the embezzlement he'd wiped it from his own mind." Ammalia began to grow agitated, frustrated with the failure of this first plan.

"Do not fret my love." Victoro swept a finger against the map. "I assure you I prefer this new plan much more.. We have a greater opportunity to swipe the riches before an enemy can." He assured her. She took a deep breath knowing to trust her husband he.. Would be right.

"Then why did you.." she wanted to ask why she was summoned, though it seemed rather silly, Ammalia prided herself on staying up to date.. She was in charge of half their plans.. She sighed placing a hand against Ryvvik's shoulder. "Ryvvik. I have a task for you, your brothers and sisters." she spoke like Victoro wishing to emulate his commanding charm. Ryvvik stood up straight.

"Yes my lady?" Cersei asked. The small blonde human patted her robes in place.

"I need.. The five of you to get me Orangden leaves.." A sullen look spread across Ryvvik's face, the large helmeted paladin most likely realizing what needed to be done. "You cannot be seen.. You cannot be heard. If any of you were to be captured, I implore you to end it." She placed a hand against Ryvviks chest meeting the paladin's eyes. He nodded.

"Yes, Lady Arch Priestess." Ryvvik bowed, as did Seffia, and the others before he rounded them up and left the room. Leaving only herself and Victoro. She stood in silence for a few moments staring at the map with her husband. 'It will all be alright.. We will be alright.' she swallowed her fear pretending to be thinking on the tasks ahead and not the choices behind.

"Ammalia." Victoro's voice came in a near whisper. He had removed his mask and the door lock clicked behind her. She swelled with emotion and pulled free her golden cover shoving her body against his. Tears began to flow and she shook violently with fear.

"Oh Victoro.. What.. what are we.." It was like being in a time warp, suddenly she felt like it was three years ago, when they'd just struck a deal with the dark lord. "What if we can't.." She mused her mind full of terror. Victoro's hard face softened, "What if.. What if we can't get the gold.. Or.. finish the.." Her lips trembled, she grasped her hands against Victoro's robes cursing herself for her weakness, had she not let this deal commence.. If she hadn't been blinded.. No. Victoro was right, they could do this! They had restored their house.

"We will." He sounded so confident, Ammalia stepped away taking sharp shallow breaths.

"And if we.. don't?" Her voice trembled as she looked out across the vast city of Waterdeep realizing how silly a question it was, her hand glittered over the landscape she was ready to burn it all, break every inch of the town apart in an effort to succeed. "Victoro.. We wagered our children's lives." She couldn't help herself but her trembled voice came so angry and spiteful yet full of determination.

"And we will get them back." Victoro gripped her shoulders, and her lungs felt lighter as he embraced her. "Ammalia I promise you.. We will succeed.. The gold will be paid.. And we shall get Elzerina and Terenzio free." He placed his large black rubdy studded cane on the map drawing a creased line variant of the symbol. "We will give our lord the gold.. And.. all the rest.. Just as we promised." His words did not sound like a man trying to convince himself but that of a man truly convinced of his fate. Ammalia felt real hope in his doctrine; she smiled, pulling herself to the side she slowly felt a calm settle in her once again. He was right.. They could do this.

"And what of our sister's faith?" She sneered happily, always ready to throw that wretched pawn of a family under more shade. "What of our enemies?" Her husband looked bemused.

"My love.. We have the strength of the ninth lord. The king of all hell. What could our enemies possibly have to combat us?" Victoro smiled.