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After meeting with Essek at Eiselcross, the made the first leg of their journey with ease. They encountered no resistance on the surface, and through the use of a couple of flying spells, they floated down to the entrance and then carefully made their way down to the chamber they had previously laid their trap for the Tombtakers.
With his superior dark vision, Essek had taken point, scanning the chambers for any dangers before coming to rest in the middle. His head was angled backward as he watched Caleb circle the chamber as well. Caleb kept a single covered globule of light behind him, illuminating just enough space that he wouldn't fly into a stalactite or errant ruin.
Caleb sighed but had a slight smile as he came to land next to him. "So far so good," he said quietly.
"Indeed." Essek glanced toward the opening that led deeper into Aeor. "It must be close to sundown at this point."
"Thirty-four minutes past," he automatically offered.
Essek nodded. "Then perhaps we should retire early. You have already used at least a couple of high energy spells to make it up north, and between the two of us, we should be at full strength before delving further."
Caleb chewed on his lip as he also looked toward the opening. With the full strength of the Might Nein, it had taken them the better part of three days to reach the T-Dock. It would no doubt take longer with just the two of them. They were powerful, but Essek was just as squishy as he was. They needed to be careful, which meant they had to be slow.
Finally, he nodded, willing himself to be okay to take more time. If all went well, it wouldn't matter how long it took. So long as it worked. "Unfortunately, I am not able to cast the tower today, but, uh, I still have my dome..."
"Don't worry yourself," Essek assured. "Your dome is more than sufficient."
Avoiding eye contact, Caleb plopped down onto the ground and pulled out his spell book. He was feeling strangely guilty for having come up so abruptly. The dome could keep them safe, but it was nothing compared to his tower.
Why were his hands shaking?
There was a small waft as Essek also lowered himself to the ground, his white cloak billowing out as he gracefully sat down, no longer hovering. He was just inches from where Caleb had put down his spell book. He didn't say anything, just watching as Caleb fiddled with the small crystal bead and muttered under his breath, tracing out the patterns drawn in his book.
Why did he feel like he was doing something wrong?
Essek was an observant person, and he was sitting right there. Caleb forced himself to detach a little bit so that he did not lose concentration and be forced to start from the beginning. It would not have been such a big deal, but it would be embarrassing and he wasn't sure he could handle that right in this moment. In front of Essek.
Thankfully, the dome was summoned without issue, the temperature controlled interior immediately warming the space. Caleb was still separated enough from himself that he did not outwardly show his immense relief as he put away his spell book and began to set up his sleep roll.
"Caleb."
He hummed in response, not looking up from the task at hand.
"What's wrong?"
That had him freezing in place, his heart skipping a beat as he fully returned to himself. Old instincts wanted him to obfuscate, but there wouldn't be any point to it. Essek had already seen through him (his hands had literally been shaking, of course he noticed something was wrong). Slowly, Caleb patted his bedroll down before sitting on it with his legs crossed. He didn't look up at Essek's face, but he could see that the drow had not moved from the seat he had taken earlier.
He sighed, wringing his hands together as he gathered his thoughts. He owed Essek the truth, especially with what they were about to do. "I'm not entirely sure," he said quietly. "I am nervous and excited for what's ahead, for what we might discover."
"Nervous... because of the potential dangers?"
This was when Caleb's eyes flickered up to meet Essek's. His expression was open and curious. Nothing like the controlled visage he used to constantly maintain with the Nein. It was an expression Caleb had became accustomed to in these very ruins. It was one that he had grown to... be fond of.
"Partially," he said quietly.
The word and its possible implications hung in the air between them. Caleb struggled to maintain eye contact, but he pushed through his own discomfort. He left himself open, allowing Essek to read him. He wasn't even sure what Essek would find. Of course he was nervous about the dangers underneath the ice, it would be foolish not to be. But there were larger things on his mind, though he was not certain he could put them into words if asked.
Perhaps Essek could divine it for him.
"This is not an easy task we have set for ourselves," Essek finally said. "We will have have to proceed cautiously. Slowly. I have no doubt we will have ample opportunities to ease your nerves."
Caleb looked away with a sigh. "Perhaps. But for now, sleep?"
He began to slip into his bedroll without waiting for a response. Essek had not moved, and Caleb could feel the drow's gaze on his back.
"Yes," Essek finally responded once Caleb had settled on his side. "For now... sleep."