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~~((The 12 Pages of Christmas + Double Monday = Page 6 of 14))~~
The Hun’Sho man looked at the ground. “Or... what would it be called in your language? The... ‘Grave of the Underworld?’ Yes, I think that is it.”

Diego was glad that the man seemed not to notice his surprise, because he was very much reluctant to just come right out and admit that he definitely wanted to discuss that subject. Thus far, he had not mentioned that name a single time to any of the Hun’Sho, nor had he heard it mentioned by anyone else. In the likely event that the Hun’Sho wanted to keep the treasure to themselves, Diego had felt it would be beyond imprudent to simply ask about it directly like some simpleton.

Yet here this man now was, this Jasirok, ready to offer him information out of nowhere.

Diego didn’t trust the coincidence.

But it wasn’t like he could just flatly refuse the guy, either. This was the first lead he’d found. Of course he had to learn more.

He needed to measure his next words carefully.

“I would be happy to talk about any subject you please,” said Diego. “But why is it that this Sosho’Diyu seems to interest you so?”

‘Good,’ said Yangéra privately.

“Ah, it is just--you see, the last group of outsiders to visit us were very keen on the subject, so I thought you might be as well.”

A rational explanation for the coincidence, Diego supposed. He allowed himself to relax, somewhat. But it did bring up another string of questions. “When did this last group of outsiders visit you, exactly?”

“Oh, it must have been a couple years ago now.”

“Hmm. You’re sure about that? You don’t have trouble keeping track of the days down here? On the surface, we’ve got the sun to go by.”

“The sun?” said Jasirok, almost laughing. “Ah, yes, I seem to recall reading about that method of timekeeping. Very quaint, but not at all necessary when one can feel the rotation of Eleg in one’s chest.”

Diego blinked. “Your brethren kept telling me about how ‘close’ they were to the planet, but I didn’t think it extended that far.”

“Indeed. It is about midday now, if you were wondering.”

“Heh, I guess I’ll have to take your word for it.”

Yangéra decided to interject. ‘This previous group of outsiders--are these the same people whom Carver arrived here with?’

“Yes, they are. Why do you ask?”

‘It’s just, didn’t Carver come here five years ago? Not two?’

“He did, yes. But his companions returned for him two years ago. I was surprised when he did not leave with them. I suppose he simply found the Vault of Paradise to be exactly that, hmm?”

“Why is it called the Paradise Vault, by the way?” said Diego. “Not that this place isn’t wonderful, of course. I just find the name curious.”

Jasirok opened his mouth to answer but stopped himself before glancing around and trying again. “Ah... I sense that this conversation may become quite long. Would you like to come with me to my home? I feel we would be able to speak more comfortably there.”