this guise, this mask, this dream

[rhys alexander greyback]

we are will and wonder
bound to recall
remember

---

August 23, 2024
Crimea
@jasper
@bjorn

---

Rhys stopped and looked around, there was a slight breeze that whistled when it passed through the narrow walkways in between the various tombs. They were in the Crimea, and this normally open muggle tourist attraction had been closed due to various incidents of random magical activity and it had been closed off. The bank had been interested in possible artifacts they hadn’t been able to get their hands on and Rhys was sent, along with Jasper since the previous civilization here was of about 4th century Hellenistic origins. It wasn’t going to be an easy job, considering this part of the Crimean peninsula had been under Russian control for so long and Rhys wondered why he couldn’t have gotten something on the Ukrainian side, it exposed them to much more dangers in terms of protection from various ministries and they weren’t protected here. It reminded Rhys of the jobs he’d taken in the Middle East where they faced similar issues.

The tombs themselves were not that large and had a singular entrance but Rhys knew better than just to run in, a single entrance meant a single exit and a chance to get trapped somehow. The narrow corridor could also have traps in it though he knew he would have to look for runes where he could, and he and Jasper would have to calculate their approach. ”What do you think Jas?” Rhys called over his shoulder, they had looked through a couple of the tombs thus far and they’d gather some artifacts that had been cursed and some that were not but were worth their weight in gold. The goblins would be happy, but Rhys just wanted to move on to the next job, it would be in Egypt he supposed but sometimes they all tended to blend together. The past 3 months he’d been working continuously and only to stop for the full moon and barely even resting the next day when he was in the most pain. The memory was still fresh in his mind, that letter—his brother. This many months after it had been in the papers and everybody knew that Elias was dead, and even Rhys didn't know all the details.

Rhys ran his hand over his chin, his beard had started to grow in, and he hadn’t bothered with it too much and his hair had grown longer as well showing off more of the curls. His eyes were tired, he was physically exhausted bit his mind felt sharp at least and that was almost out of sheer willpower this many months without a break to keep his mind off the grief that was waiting to be dealt with. Rhys crossed his arms, this place made him feel incredibly uneasy. ”We have a lot already, do you think they’ll know if we don’t search the rest?” Rhys was not lazy by any means, so he was half-joking but at the same time he didn’t want him or Jasper to find anything particularly interesting that would put them in danger. He sighed and approached the entrance but not quite stepping in to see if he could see any runes off the bat.

[Deleted]

Normally, Jasper primarily worked in Greece and Italy, but there had been too many incidents in Crimea for the magical governing bodies to take any chances. All magical activity had come from within a famous muggle tourist attraction. As such, the place had been closed off to the general public, and the most experienced curse breakers had been called in. Jasper was there specifically because of his knowledge. Muggle architects had linked this place with some Greek colonies back around the fourth and fifth centuries. The area that they were in wasn't the most idea. Anything could happen. Because of this, they had to keep a low profile, trying not to let leak anything that they may find. Their job was to find it, break the curse, stop all magical incidents from happening, and return without further mishap.

The area was filled with tombs. They would have to search. But the two would have to be careful. Each area having only one door, and once in, there wasn't a lot of space to work with in. If something happened while inside, it could spell trouble, both Rhys and Jasper weren't small people. The wise thing would be to check for traps and spells before entering, as much as possible. They had started working through the area, still being close, were each working on their own. Jasper looked for runes, and other signs of witchcraft. he carefully admired and observed every statue and every entrance. He held one arm close to his body, shielding his side from further damage.

They had found a number of items, in one of the tombs, they had found an especially dangerously cursed item. Thinking that it as safe to enter, for they had checked everything they could, even used some counter curses just to be safe, Jasper had entered first, only to be met with an enchanted slab that neither had noticed previously. The rock crushed some ribs before action could be taken. They were either badly bruised, cracked or broken. He wasn't sure. But being the professional that he was, Jasper insisted that they kept working. He could breath find, and pain was an old friend to the curse breaker. If he took in a larger breath, he could feel the pain from the movement, but they were still on the job.

”What do you think Jas?” Jasper looked over to the younger man. He had worked often with Rhys and found that he enjoyed the kids company. He did know that Rhys had been working a lot lately, and knew that he had suffered a loss. But this wasn't the time to talk about things like that. This was a serious, and dangerous job. The bank also wanted it done quickly. "I think it's your turn to accidentally step in a trap." he joked a little, trying not to laugh. Jasper moved a small amount ahead, checking another area. ”We have a lot already, do you think they’ll know if we don’t search the rest?” He chuckled once, then grimaced from the pain. "I think they will if incidents keep happening. Better to be safe than sorry. I don't think we have much more to check." He knew that Rhys hadn't stopped working for quite some time, but that was no excuse to lave a job unfinished. As Rhys moved to another area to look, Jasper peered into a separate area, looking for any sign of magic, especially runes.

rhys alexander greyback
@bjorn

[rhys alexander greyback]

we are will and wonder
bound to recall
remember

---

August 23, 2024
Crimea
@jasper
@bjorn

---

Rhys focused his gaze on the tomb in front of him, even though they had taken their time on the last one Jasper had still been on the wrong end of an enchanted slab of rock and they both had reacted as fast as they could—were trained to do but injuries were not uncommon in this field. He chuckled, cracked ribs—pulled muscles were all rites of passage and with these more dangerous sites it was almost expected. Rhys wasn’t looking to get injured, but he wasn’t going to act surprised if it happened. ”You holding up okay?” Both of them had pushed through worse injuries, Rhys had crawled out of caves bleeding and broken before. He nodded in agreement, they were almost done and there was plenty of daylight still so they could take their time even more from now on. Rhys stood before the doorway visual inspecting what he could see without having to walk in yet, but nothing stood out to him.

He sighed stepping into the doorway, he tried to look around the door frame for any runes that were easy to miss as they apparently had in the previous tomb and he didn’t see anything off hand. He didn’t step through just yet, he felt around the frame for any carvings or indentations and again didn’t feel anything. ”Frame looks clear…” He mumbled to himself and feeling a bit more confident he pulled out his wand and said and said spells for revealing charms. They never really worked in tombs since they typically had more ancient and advanced magic, but it didn’t hurt to try. Rhys stepped inside and took a couple of steps and waited. It had been years since he’d felt particularly nervous, but he was patient and methodical when it came to these things and even then, it still resulted in injury at times. Looking around and taking a few more steps forward he felt better that nothing had stirred or flown at him yet and he stopped when he saw some runes carved into the wall to his right.

They were faint, but with his finger he lightly touched them and so far, they were not anything that triggered any common runes he could say off the top of his head. Rhys walked out of the tomb and went back to find Jasper, who was nearby. ”There were some runes I didn’t quite recognize in this one back here, but either it has different traps or isn’t as well protected as that last one.” Rhys didn’t want to force Jasper into a situation that would decimate what was left of his ribcage either, but he did need his help. ”If you have your book with you, I can translate them. You find anything over here?” Rhys offered and really he didn’t mind, the busier he was at this point the better. Far from keeping his mind off Elias he was keeping his mind of his own physical and mental exhaustion. Being this alert was like running on adrenaline for extended periods of time and he hadn’t been able to sleep well without something alcoholic nearby so to say he was worn out would have been an understatement.

[Deleted]

Getting injured was a part of the curse breaker career. And while it was inevitable, Jasper would never honestly wish harm on another. He was happy to take the damage, and keep Rhys in good health. Sometimes you missed an enchanted slab of rock, sometimes you don't. This wasn't a safe career by any means. ”You holding up okay?” He heard the men ask. Jasper gave one chuckle followed by a labored "Ouch, I think I'll survive." This hadn't been the worse injury that he had received at this job. Working through pain was often required.

Jasper was observing his own area, but did notice when Rhys started to step into the door way, Jasper held his breath as he did. Watching the others back. As Rhys verbalized his observation, Jasper slowly released his breath. He then returned his attention to his own area, being careful to check even the smallest areas. He didn't want to miss something again. After he was sure that he hadn't missed anything, Jasper, himself, slowly started to move into the door way. Every muscle in his body was preparing to leap out of the way. Perhaps he was being overly cautious. He too started to mutter spells, looking out for runes.

Before he could get too far, Rhys returned to his location. Stepping out of the door way, ”There were some runes I didn’t quite recognize in this one back here, but either it has different traps or isn’t as well protected as that last one.” Jasper looked intrigued, but the other man continued. ”If you have your book with you, I can translate them. You find anything over here?” He nodded "Yea, here," He pulled the book out of his bag "I'll come too, may see something else." Runes meant it was most likely a wizards tomb, there had to be more than just one clue there. Jasper could return to his area after. It was best to face magic with another set of eyes.

rhys alexander greyback
@bjorn

[rhys alexander greyback]

we are will and wonder
bound to recall
remember

---

August 23, 2024
Crimea
@jasper
@bjorn

---

With their experience, especially working together he knew that if Jasper was going to tap out from an injury he would. Newer curse breakers tended to make more of a fuss about these things but with time one learned their limits and that of their coworkers as well. Plus, he’d be a hypocrite to insist he take a break when he hadn’t taken a break in three months now from working. Renfri had been with him when he got that letter and he’d mainly worked with her and Nixie during that time and Jasper as well, but only Renfri had said much about it. Jasper waited until Rhys cleared the entrance of the tomb, that was where the majority of traps would usually be which made sense just as the first line of defense for entering a house, for example, was a locked door.

His guess when he found the different runes was that it was less protected, but one always took the side of caution in this business. It was common sense for them, if it looks too good to be true then it was. If it was easy, then you missed something. Don’t get totally separated. And don’t go in alone. There was that look in Jasper’s eyes, one that he saw often with his friends. The excitement of finding something new never left them and their curiosity never wavered, it was his favorite part about these adventures. Jasper followed him and Rhys paused at the entrance again, one could never be too safe, but nothing jumped out at him, so he was fairly certain at least the doorway was less protected.

”They’re over here on the right, but there were some on the left. They’re more detailed than the one in the last tomb, I’m thinking there might be traps further in and the entrance was designed this way.” Traps were meant to scare away intruders and dissuade them, they typically held treasure and occasionally a curse but one like this typically had more dangers in terms of curses versus traps, so a second set of eyes would be helpful but also the safe thing to do. ”We should probably translate these before we go further, don’t want to end up cursed again…” Rhys commented, it had happened to him before. It was good they hadn’t skipped this tomb. From the looks of it there was going to be some incredibly valuable in this one.

[Deleted]

Just because he was hurt, didn't mean that Jasper was done working. It would heal up fine, but first, the job needed to be finished. He knew that he would be fine. If something like this happened to someone knew, they would have tapped out and maybe wanted to go home. Jasper knew he could continue, it he wasn't able to, he would have said so. Jasper moved from his spot to where Rhys said he saw something. He waited for the man to clear the door, pretty sure if another sliding slab hit him, he would be out for the rest of the job.

There was a look that all curse breakers shared. It was similar to a child just about to open a present, and it was what they really wanted. That excited anticipation. Curse breakers did their job for different reasons, but they all knew that look. It didn't matter how long you were in the business, the look remained.

The man entered the area together, and Rhys showed where he saw the runes. As the younger man spoke, Jasper crouched to look at one of the runes, half listening, half translating. "Yea, getting cursed is probably not the best thing to do in here." It wasn't exactly a thing that anyone wanted done to them, but this place especially. There wasn't any help near by, it was just the two of them. After speaking, Jasper moved to the second set of runes, the ones that had clearly been weathered more. They were harder to read. "Look." He rubbed with his fingers at something that could just look like natural old wear. "It's faint, but I'm pretty sure that this is a symbol for Hecate. The Greek goddess of witchcraft. There's definitely something here." He said, as he worked harder to translate the words near the symbol.

rhys alexander greyback
@bjorn

[rhys alexander greyback]

we are will and wonder
bound to recall
remember

---

August 23, 2024
Crimea
@jasper
@bjorn

---

Jasper crouched and immediately started deciphering the runes that Rhys himself was unfamiliar with. Even after this many years, there were always new things to be found and learned about. Perhaps if he had focused on a particular area as Jasper had, he would be more of an 'expert,' but he liked the freedom to see new places all the time. While he looked at them, Rhys kept looking around. He had the feeling that something was going to jump out at them, but he would rather be on his toes and ready to react than be caught completely off guard as they both had earlier. Still, it was a story and experience they could pass on to trainees as a warning to never slack and always look over your shoulder. One's training was never quite complete.

Rhys looked over his colleague's shoulder and referred to a symbol and how it was greek related. Naturally, it was Jasper's area of expertise, so he nodded as none of his coworkers had ever failed him in their knowledge of runes. "So this one might have something the other's don't..." Rhys took a step back and looked at the wall behind him, trying to find any traces of runes long since faded away by wind and dirt and whatever else passed through these walls. What made this tomb so different? "Have you ever seen that symbol before anywhere? What did you find?" If there was a pattern of a sort with Greek symbols as there were Egyptian tombs, it would help them figure out their next steps. "In Egypt, each dynasty tended to have their own set of hieroglyphics and curses. But with some overlap pending on era." Patterns were always helpful in their work.

[Deleted]

Jasper found it easy to start seeing the worn symbols and runes. They were shapes that he was used to seeing. Specializing in Greece and Italy gave him a focus and skill set that not everyone had. Moving from country to country one had to use their common knowledge to figure things out. He crouched and moved to let the light and shadow dance around the worn edges. He moved gingerly, given his present condition. Hopefully this would be their last one.

"So this one might have something the other's don't..." With a smile, Jasper nodded and looked over his shoulder to Rhys "I haven't seen this symbol in any other tomb that we've looked at here. So yes, there's something really special here." If he was right, this was going to be one of their greatest finds. He saw the other man move and start to inspect the wall parallel to the one Jasper was looking at. As he did, Jasper turned back and started to look for more symbols. As he did, he thought back to the last time he had seen that symbol. "Last time, I was in Athens. In the room was an enchanted statue of Nike, the goddess of victory. It had been intended to be charmed for luck and victory for the possessor, but somewhere down the line, the magic was corrupted." He shuttered a bit "High reward, after battling a strong curse."

He listened to the words about Egypt and nodded. "Based on the erosion, and a few details that I have picked out, This is old. And next to it, here...." He rubbed his fingers over another worn symbol "There's definitely something hidden here. I think we found the source of the rouge magic.

rhys alexander greyback
@bjorn

[rhys alexander greyback]

we are will and wonder

bound to recall
remember

August 23, 2024
@jasper ,
@bjorn

Jasper confirmed what Rhys had suspected, this tomb was different than the others, and despite the feeling in his gut that told him they shouldn’t stick around for much longer, it warranted a search at least. Bringing Jasper along had been a smart move, although he’d almost felt bad leaving his sister in the care and training of someone else. She seemed capable, but this was a job that was certainly not one for trainees considering the unknown variables and the area they weren’t really supposed to be in. Then again, it was likely just a response to losing a brother and then suddenly gaining a sister, it was difficult to wade through everything in his mind. But, he couldn’t be distracted now—that was how their lot got killed.

Rhys listened to Jasper talk about Nike. He was familiar with Greek mythology, but not to the extent that Jasper was. Knowing all the intricate facts and details that made him an expert in that field, only enough to get by. Rhys thought about the implications of what Jasper said, corrupted magic. It was unpredictable and dangerous and mostly the reason why spell modification was such a controlled field. People dabbled in it illegally but typically were on the wrong end of an accident and exploding wand. ”Do you think there’s a chance its corrupted?” It wasn’t unheard of in their field. Though items and tombs were specifically charmed and cursed, severely corrupted magic ended up with severe injuries or worse. Rhys knew that as a fact, though it wasn’t fully the source of his anxiety.

Rhys took a step back and looked around the tomb again. He felt as if he was missing something. Further in the back was another doorway, but not as well lit as where they had entered. ”I’ll look ahead…” Slowly he approached it, glancing at the floor for where he took a step and wand at the ready. There wasn’t much to be done until they could find other symbols or clues about what was contained here, and only then could they determine how safe it was. It was rare but some jobs required larger teams. As Rhys approached, he almost felt a light breeze and he stopped wondering where it had come from. ”The symbols back here are worn as well, but they look the same.” he called back to Jasper.

[you post and then bjorn?]

template by vee

[Deleted]

There was very little in the curse breakers line of work that was considered safe. Best case, they were wondering into a dark, enclosed space in search for an ancient object that had been enchanted. But the magic was old, there was always a chance that something had happened. Often mutating through time, or as other enchantments were put on it into something uncontrolable. Rhys asked if there was a chance that this item was corrupted. Jasper bit his lip, thinking about what he did know. Fact, they had been called here because magic was running amuck. He looked at the man. "I don't think we should take any chances" It was always safer to error on the side of caution. And with Jasper already injured, they best be careful.

Rhys continued down the area as Jasper lit his wand, trying to use shadows to better decipher the words. As he worked, he slowly got a rough idea of what was written. Though, with a number of the symbols eroded to nothing, it was only a vague guess. ”The symbols back here are worn as well, but they look the same.” Putting out the light on his wand, Jasper looked towards the man, blinking some. With a wince, he stood and moved towards the man.

It took some time, and some quite interesting curses broken. But in time, they had their treasure. A dagger, etched on the metal was Hecate's wheel, and the sheath fashioned to appear as though a serpents open mouth kept the blade in check. It was quite a find. Even with most of the magic now dispersed, it was quite a prize.

@bjorn
rhys alexander greyback

OOC: Feel free to have Bjorn jump in now, you can knock Jasper unconscious, or not, but he's fairly useless in this situation