Into the castle!

[Kafen]

"Then, we can hope it is not a trap." Dale jokes as he looks to the group. "Which way shall we go?"

[pixie chic]

Thema attempts to see if the area at the steps is trapped. She looks both above and below the symbols as well as around the area.

[Breila]

You have already discovered what the symbols are for. On eiither side of the inner entrance doors, two symbols are in fact handles to operate secret doors:

Indeed, upon close examination, on each side of the inner doors, there is one symbol where the circular groove seems to be deeper than the other's. Pressing it yields no results, but it is possible, with some effort, to turn it 90 degrees. The panel moves forward a bit, and it is possible to open the secret door.

It leads into the space between the stone and wood walls, which is about a foot and a half wide. when their eyes have adjusted to the darkness, the group see that a large beam with two iron handles is close to the inner stone wall. It is connected to another, horizonal, beam that lies in a groove of the stone floor.

[Jenara]

Eloise heads into the gap, taking a look around as the others head back inside. "What now? You people are used to this, i'm just a waitress."

[pixie chic]

Thelma laughs softly, "They're fine." She suggests to the group, "Form up, who wants to check it out, first?"

[Kafen]

Not being the leader, Dale says. "Indeed, we need to decide where we are going."

[Ismaels-Legacy]

Saul looks to his traveling companion and raises one bushy eyebrow. "Christopher?"

[Stik]

"Stairs go up. We go up." Christopher says, matter-of-factly.

[Jenara]

"Then let Thelma and I go first, we can go quietly, and usher you up if it's clear." Eloise says with a shrug as she places her foot on the stairs.

[Stik]

"Short of confining you, can I keep you here? No? Then by all means, proceed."

[Jenara]

"You know it makes sense." she shoots Christopher a wink and drags Thelma by the arm, heading up the stairs.

[Breila]

(OOC: sorry folks, you'll have to wait another day. I profited of the sunny weather today to wash all the clothes that mustn't go into the dryer)

[Breila]

Thelma and Eloise go up the middle part of the stairs that lead to a large landing, then turn left because they had noticed that there seems to be less dust on the left side (To the left and right, stairs hals a s wide as the middle stairs lead up to the next floor). they look up to see that the upper floor offers more light than the ground floor, because of the large window overlooking the garden. They do not see anybody, so they continue up. What they can see first is that the stairway continues in the same manner to the next higher floor.

Arriving on the first floor, they see that this is, like the ground floor, one large hall. Right across the stairs, above the vestibule, is an ornate fireplace made of stone. the Valckenburg coat of arms (a keep with a falcon perched on top) is set in as a finely executed bas-relief. To their right is the large window, a few of the panes cracked but none yet missing. To their right, the chimneys from the stoves of the kitchen below are set with benches. Otherwise, the hall is empty.

[pixie chic]

Thelma says, "We should keep moving to the rooms if this floor is clear."

[Ismaels-Legacy]

Saul glances around at his companions before finally setting his gaze upon Christopher. "How is it we are at the mercy of a child?" He tries to hide the mirth in his voice, but his eyes belie his humor.