[log] the world isn't going to end just because we've done everything wrong

[apostatised]

In the work Severus is doing for Martel, some of the requirements also include 'Martel coming along'. Most notably: the cave system hidden by the castle itself. It'll likely be Styric spells that ensure the caves' stability - he'd already been quietly working on that himself before he ever heard the name 'Severus Snape' or thought of having him work on the castle and grounds.

Some people just get coffee, guys. Alas, no; Martel and Severus are spending their day underground, since not even the most recent castle layouts had a wholly reliable account of the caves.

It's entirely likely that this is asking - begging - for trouble.

Comments

[errantknights.livejournal.com]

Church Knights - of which Martel hasn't been one for years and years and years, but it's the kind of training that stays in your bones and your blood - are knights first, sorcerers second. Some of them better at one thing or the other (or, like Martel, too good at everything for anyone's comfort), but you won't often find someone from any of the Orders who won't reach for their sword before they start muttering darkly in Styric.

"I'm always most comfortable when something wants to kill me," Martel says, dryly, "The familiar, you know."

[aterastrum.livejournal.com]

"Well it'd be nostalgic, anyway."

Creeping around dark caves, giant fuck all monsters after them. It's practically home-like.

[errantknights.livejournal.com]

Monster related nostalgia would probably involve summoning it personally - Martel, possibly wisely, keeps that thought to himself. He is capable of restraint (along with a worrying capacity for patience).

"Dark creatures are always so much more difficult to blackmail."

He's never actually tried. For the record.

[aterastrum.livejournal.com]

"Well, you can, but there's the passive aggressive harassment and stalking after you have to deal with."

Severus has.

For the record.

[errantknights.livejournal.com]

There's a thoughtful silence while Martel mentally connects this to a conversation he once had about amorous trolls.

[aterastrum.livejournal.com]

"Yes. That is exactly how pleasant it is."

[errantknights.livejournal.com]

"Charming," Martel murmurs, and then their path opens up into the lower cavern.

After another thoughtful silence, he murmurs, so mild, "Does the floor look like it's breathing to you?"

[aterastrum.livejournal.com]

"A little, yes. Which is moderately disconcerting." He sounds casual, as if they were discussing the weather.

[errantknights.livejournal.com]

The subterranean weather, yes. Martel briefly reflects that if there's a dragon in his mountain, afterwards he'll have to laugh 'til he cries, but lucky for him the likelihood is fairly slim.

(Would be funny, though.)

"Large," he says, considering.