Back on the surface, the Company visit the Cathedral of Hallowed Tolnan, where Jeremi asks to speak with the Priest Heth Nerefuli, who is in attendance at the Cathedral instead of at the Chapel of Hallowed Aladriel. Cirend and Si'lara decline to enter the Cathedral.
Inside, the Priest Heth notes that Jeremi and his companions look to be in relatively poor shape and asks about their progress in the Banevault. Jeremi relates the details of their excusion to date, including the key being stolen and at least one other group of outsider moving through the Banevault. At this point, the Priest Heth resumes his normal superior attitude, reminding Jeremi a little of Cristobal Arino back in Esor�a. Heth chastises Jeremi for losing the key and for neglecting his duties during the Autumn Festivals. Jeremi defends himself a little, but Heth indicates that a formal reprimand will be placed in Jeremi's file while he is in Bima Hara, and he will need to deliver a note of his neglect to his superior back in Esor�a. Lastly, Heth mentions that he and the other members of the priesthood will be keeping an eye on Jeremi, as he clearly appears to be some sort of rebel against the strictures of the faith. Heth also seems surprised that �ton would grant powers to a priest who seems to be violating the very basic tenets of his faith. But, such is the will of �ton.
As Jeremi leaves, Heth indicates that he will keep Rafe's body with the intent to raise him from the dead, but it will require a substantial donation from Jeremi and his companions.
Clearly annoyed, Jeremi leaves Heth and rejoins his companions. Cirend is unsympathetic to Jeremi's obvious distress. The Company to go the Ghostly Minstrel tavern where they meet up with Orongorg. Sebastian has, once again, long since abandoned the other members of the Company to pursue his own personal agenda. With their scout absent, and clearly knowing that they need someone skilled at disarming traps, Jeremi elects to stay at the Minstrel until Sura Naraj appears. He catches her up on the latest happenings in the Banevault, and she introduces herself to both Cirend and Si'lara. She notes that Si'lara is a pureblood jade elf but does not seem at taken aback by meeting one of the fair folk in person. She also seems to know of the jade elves' dislike for arcane magick and wonder if that will be a problem for Si'lara, considering that Sura herself, as well as Uso and perhaps others in the party practice the art of the arcane. Si'lara is characteristically vague with answering such questions.
Sura promises to use the resources of the Blue Eclipse to find a suitable scout for the Company, and with that they all retire for the evening to rest and recuperate.
The 1st of Darkel
On the morning of the first month of Autumn, the Company resupply themselves. Cirend pick up a cold iron halberd from a local weaponsmith, while the rest of the Company attend to their own personal business. That evening, they meet again at the Ghostly Minstrel where Sura Naraj introduces them to a human man named Abdullah who goes by the nickname of "The Kris", which is the name of a wavy-bladed short sword commonly found in the jungle areas of the Supreme Empire in the Far East. Kris appears as a local Verundhian, but his given name, Abdullah, betrays a heritage from worshippers of the Hol. At least one of his parents may have come from Zhivod.
With their hired companion in tow, the Company of Jeremi, Uso, Orongorg, Si'lara, and Cirend head back down into the Banevault. They encounter several traps along the way, which Kris proves useful at finding but has much difficult disarming. Toward the end of the day, the Company negotiate their way through several layers of traps. Orongorg warns the Company that perhaps this many traps should serve as a warning to leave the contents of this section of the Banevault alone, but Uso disagrees. Kris is nearly permanently paralyzed but succeeds in moving a lever which opens a door into a dark room full of eight pods hanging from a rusted iron platform. One of the pods stirs as the Company enter the room, and its inhabitant breaks free to attack the Company. In appearance, it is similar to the fiendish humanoid that the Company fought in the descrated temple in Marlona. However, it is not quite as strong, having just been "given birth". Orongorg shoots three well-placed arrows to fell the creature, but upon dying, two more of the beasts appear out of thin air, as if summoned from the nether world!
Jeremi and Si'lara act fast, attempting to burn the remaining pods. Their flames have no effect, and the rest of the creatures break out of their pods to attack. Jeremi and Si'lara are caught in the middle of the pack and are severely wounded. Orongorg and Cirend do their best to kill the creatures, but each time they kill one, two more appear in their place. After a minute or so of intense combat, the Company realizes that they are clearly outmatched. This is not a fight they can win. Orongorg and Cirend hold the creatures back long enough for Uso to rescue the fallen Jeremi, and Si'lara wildshapes into an eagle to fly out of the room. Kris helpfully holds the door open for them. Once outside, they close the door and brace for the inevitable attack, but the creatures do not pursue the heroes.
Retreating back to the circular room, the heroes rest and heal for the evening.
