The Keepers of Chaos: A Vault of Hell

Vestus Konstotte: CXIX

Children: CXIX

"What?" Adleth asked again. "No, seriously. What?" Vestus pinched the bridge of his nose in a great big sigh. So he was going to have to re-explain it. It wasn't like it would make any more sense this time.

"Elnaril attacked Ant'tran in the sewers. Apparently your Short dull dagger- ohh.. I just got the dick joke, good job son." He felt a tinge of pride over his son's joke. "Anyway, using your information, he attacked him. And successfully managed to drive the creature away.. Though it apparently was not dead."

"How does this-?" Herod raised a hand. Vestus quickly waved it aside, so impatient he should call in Issamon to give proper lessons in meditation and waiting.

"I'm getting to that! Anyway, upon investigating their sewers headquarters, the vampire.. Found.. These three huddled out, apparently, they were.. Living there." His voice quivered, rocking back and forth on the seemingly fresh hardwood he tried to gauge their reactions. "They are.. Orphans as it seems.." His eyes finally glanced down behind him. The children were huddled together, shaking and terrified. Every second he stared at them made his heart melt a little bit more. "This one.." Vestus started again, the silence was uncomfortable and he desperately wanted to help these kids. "His name is Jenks." Kneeling to the ground Vestus set his hands on the young boy's shoulders. The boy was a portly looking nine-yearold Turami boy. With dark skin and a large round face. Strung over his shoulder was a stuffed owl bear, and he fiddled with a slender wooden stick nervously in his hand.

"Believe me, this makes about as much sense as it did originally." Markos interjected, what? Ah, he didn't care to question what the half-elf meant anymore.

"Awww." Riu cooed. She had visible tear tracks on her face, he wasn't sure what it was from, maybe the cat? In any case he struggled to introduce the kids in a fashion that did not seem absurd.

"This." Vestus pointed to the next child. What was he scared of? Over the past twenty years he'd introduced kids to each other after terrible travestis. This was no different. "Is Nat." He went to touch the short Illuskan girl but she instantly pulled away, holding up her toy wooden sword in defense. "Nat is deaf." The girl was dressed in an oversized blue jacket which seemed to resemble a cloak. Her eyes were sunken and her lip was bitten raw. It wasn't a comforting sight. "Finally, this is Squidly... no, no. It's ok Squidly, come here." The tiefling boy jumped out dramatically, so far out of the three he seemed the least intimidated and terrified.

"H-Hi.. who are you?" The child's voice was rapid and fast, despite what looked to be calm in his abrasive movement, his tone told a different story. Squidly was dressed in dirty grey clothes resembling a sailor's uniform, Vestus guessed that at one point it was white in color but time had worn that down.

"I'm Adleth, kid. Stop being so nervous." The elf dropped to one knee and cocked her head. "This yours?" Vestus never lost eyesight of the girl yet suddenly she was standing up holding Squidly's rusted rapier.

"W-Hey!" Squidly jumped up furiously grabbing at the sword. "H-how did you?" The elf smirked back at him and returned the blade. Vestus grinned, he swore the tiefling was blushing.

"Renaer dropped them off.. Said they were witnesses to the fighting and needed a place to stay.." He continued.

"I'll just let them handle this.." Alekzandr whispered over to Herod. Vestus chuckled. That makes sense. He figured the soldier didn't have any experience with kids. Nat and Jenks flinched when Andraste stepped closer, she held out her arms in a fashion that must have indicated peace because the two seemed to calm down.

"Are any of you injured?" Andraste quizzed softly. Vestus quickly shook his head, such a good question but they were fine. He was so very glad to have someone else in the party that understood how to talk to children.