The Keepers Prompt 1

Reginald led his small group deeper into the Keepers territory, cautiously scanning their surroundings with every step. From what he had heard from the other clans they had visited the Keepers were his best option for finding out information about the haedians and what they have to offer but they also pose the greatest threat. While the dark runner was used to fending off boring political schemes on the surface the political structure of the Beneath was a complete mystery. One wrong move could spell disaster for not only his kingdom but the entire surface. Therefore he had to take the utmost care not only in interacting with the haedians but also with what information was exchanged between the species. Which is why… he glanced back at the incessantly chattering pink chaser droning on and on behind him. Reginald could not fathom what his majesty was thinking when he ordered Kernel of all reoseans to accompany him into these mysterious depths. 

He sighed as he silently admired Lianna’s seemingly endless patience as she nodded along to the chaser's non-stop diatribe. The runner had long since tuned him out and now the only thing he registered was a low-toned beeeeeee sound. Reginald led the group around yet another bend in the dark green tinted tunnels which thankfully opened up into a massive precipice. Directly across from the cliff the trio were standing on was another cliff face and when the group peered down beyond the edge jagged out crops jutted out of the cliff faces. The brilliant emerald green crystals that sprouted from seemingly every surface illuminated the depths below and the surface dwelling trio could see dark shadows gracefully leaping and gliding between the cliffs. If Reginalds information was correct this was the main hub of the Keepers, the clan known as the guardians of knowledge. He grit his teeth in determination before turning back to his companions. 

When he saw that Kernel was still somehow talking he snapped at the chaser, “Will you be quiet?!” the obnoxious pink chaser’s mouth snapped closed and he shrank back sheepishly. Reginald paused and closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his thoughts and also trying to calm down. “When we get down there, remember. Stay together, don’t-” he glared harshly at Kernel. “Give out unnecessary information. Try to get on their good side.” After reiterating their instructions he made sure the chaser acknowledged his words before glancing at Lianna who gave an enthusiastic nod and a shaky thumbs up. He wasn’t too worried about Lianna but the tyrians excessively shy disposition was not exactly reassuring. He turned from them back to the cliff, “Right follow me.” He flicked his tail as he led the group toward the edge of the cliff and along a narrow ridge that connected to another cliff a ways below. 

Carefully the group picked their way down until they made it to a cliff that didn’t have any pathways leading down. The tyrian glanced at her flightless companions before nervously asking, “Now what?” Unfortunately she was too small to carry them and the next cliff was a little too far to safely jump down to. As their leader pondered their next step a voice suddenly spoke up from the cliff face above them. “You’re finally here.” The trio’s heads snapped up at the unexpected voice not seeing the source immediately. Hanging upside down from the underside of the cliff above them a haedian gracefully emerged from the shadows. It crawled along the underside of the cliff as if it was walking normally on flat ground before. The haedian let go of the cliff, gracefully spun around mid air, and landed effortlessly before them. It smiled at them with a broad toothy grin. Its dark green pelt practically melted into the green tinted background, the only thing that made them standout from the scenery was the tarnished golden smoke patterns that swirled across its body. 

Reginald stepped forward protectively in front of Lianna and Kernel while also using his tail to silence the talkative chaser. “Greetings,” the runner called out with a respectful bow of his head. “We are-” the haedian waved a hand dismissively while cutting him off. “I know very well who you are.” the green haedian chuckled while sauntering forward and circling the trio. It spoke with enthusiasm and excitement as it closely examined the surface dwellers. “You three are surface dwellers sent by royalty from one of the surface countries. And-” he paused his obvious excitement bubbling forth as he paused in front of the dark runner. “You have brought information about the topside for us!” Reginald blinked in surprise, slightly taken off guard that the haedian already knew so much about them. He had known that the Keepers had a vast information network and were practically considered all-knowing when it came to the goings on of the Beneath but this was beyond his expectations. The runner gave a weary smile and affirmed the haedians assumptions. “You are exactly right, we have brought information to share with you in the hopes you will also share information about your species in return.” 

The green haedian practically bounced on his feet with excitement before turning toward the edge of the cliff. “Perfect! Please follow me, I'll guide you down to our library. Oh pleased to meet you by the way my name is Khaldor, but I'm primarily known as The Curator.” The trio returned their own introductions in kind before following the excited haedian down into the depths of the crevasse. Reginald frowned as he thought about what he had heard about the one known as the Curator from the other clans. From what he was told he was expecting a prideful and stoic leader of the Keepers but this haedian was behaving like overly enthusiastic scholars he had briefly met at the great library on the surface of Vitalus. Perhaps it was a trait for scholars to get overly energetic when presented with the opportunity to gain new knowledge. Slowly and carefully the trio lept and crawled their way down the jutting cliffs until they finally reached a section of cave that was interconnected by natural stone bridges and arches. Carved into the very rock face was a network of temples, homes, shops, and various other structures. Bustling around them were haedians of every size and shape, many of whom were carrying various crystals and stone slabs but all of them paused to stare at the surface dwellers as they were led through the heart of the Keepers city.

Excited murmurs and exclamations could be heard all around as Khaldor led the trio into the grandest stone-cut temple they had ever seen. The interior was sparsely decorated with fine clothes and drapery but was heavily decorated by ornate metal sculptures and thick spires of green and gold crystals illuminating the interior in a pleasing way. Once the group had entered the temple they were led through the massive rows of crystals and stone slabs that were neatly arranged using a system foreign to the top siders. As they passed the off looking crystals arranged on the shelves they couldn’t help but stare at them which Khaldor noticed and puffed up his chest feeling proud of his magnificent collection. Finally the group arrived in a large chamber with tables, benches, and chairs to sit and gather around which Khaldor quickly motioned for the group to get comfortable upon. Once everyone had found a place to sit Khaldor sat down on a large bean bag chair and interlaced the stubby-finger like toes of his fore paws. “So!” the Curator grinned excitedly, his eyes gleaming like a child on Gift Day. “What all have you brought me?” 

Reginald brought the large packs that he and Lianna had been carrying forward and opened their tops, revealing a multitude of scrolls and scientific equipment the king and instructed them to present as an offering. The haedian let out an excited trilling sound as he practically dove into the bags to explore their contents. One by one he pulled out the scrolls and read through their content. The haedians eyes practically flew across the parchment he read so quickly that before the runner and empyrian got comfortable on their chairs again the Curator was already on his fourth scroll. “Magnificent! Magnificent!!” the haedian exclaimed as he voraciously devoured the knowledge the surface dwellers had presented. The scrolls contained a wide variety of scientific topics pertaining to the surface, from information on weather systems to topographical information, to more cultural knowledge such as the differences between the lifestyles of the average citizen for any of the given continents. 

Reginald smiled as he watched the Keepers leader excitedly take in the knowledge they had been instructed to impart. He had been a little worried that the vagueness of the information would not be satisfactory but he was so glad he had been proven wrong. Lianna watched the haedian examine and play with the scientific tools she had delivered and couldn’t help but smile at the child-like enthusiasm with which the large haedian marveled at them. He reminded her of some of the scholars she had befriended when she had gotten lost wandering the outskirts of the Warrenfall capital. Kernel on the other hand watched the haedian leader with evident boredom. How could anyone find such bland and boring topics so interesting? He knew way better information than the drivel on those scrolls, he glanced at Reginald wearily. If it weren’t for the scary runners constant rebukes he would already be sharing his vast wealth of knowledge to the haedian leader. Oh now there was an idea. The chaser smiled to himself as he thought about his plan to get a chance to be alone with the Curator and share as much information as the idiotic scholar could possibly stand. Yes this was it! This was why his majesty had entrusted him to come along on this mission! This was his chance to get into the good graces of the Keepers leader and therefore secure himself a better position! Now… how could he get alone with the big green haedian…