The Jester’s Gamble pt. 2

JP with Winteroak and Lucian
He made himself breath. He needed to keep himself in check for this and he had just went on a small rant. He sighed, still looking at the Duke.
“Nothin’ outright proves it’s a language, but I’m leanin’ with my gut here. Been through many ruins and most relics like this are some form of communication. The way the dots are made can’t be random, unless the Neph-kin just really like pokin’ holes in bones.”
He looked at the tusk, noting the broken edge Alexis had mentioned. He tried to see if any markings were on that line in case the break had taken some of the dots with it.
“The tusk itself isn’t important. I don’t like to sit idle and have been goin’ over your offer and would like to accept. At the risk of seemin’ paranoid however, I want every weapon available to use against the underworld. I heard them in the caves, but I need to know what they are sayin’.”
He leveled his gaze at the wall above the bone, still able to audibly hear the caves around him. He focused on the bone, forcing his thoughts around its continued memorization.
“If this bone is that key, then it will make the future journey into their lands all the easier. Whether we are able to plan around their ambushes or even begin some sort of negotiations. They want slaves, so why not take some of those you are killin’ and bring them as offerin’s. Who better to guide us then the masters of those tunnels?”

The Duke listened to the explanation. He couldn't recall the man saying so many words in so few breaths.
"This is an Ozainae artifact." He declared surprising Tarmen who had never heard of the Odonine. "You don't think we have sat idle here in the last 4 years do you?" He turned and moved to the great table that filled the Hall. "Come sit." He said pointing at a chair nearby. Once Tarmen sat the Lord Commander continued. "If you are accepting my offer why are we talk about the carvings of a bone before we even talk about what resources you are going to need." Something was not right and he would get it out of the man.

The declaration made Tarmen falter a moment. He knew the sound of a man cautious and confident about a ruse, but figured he didn’t have the proof. Otherwise he would have called him on it. Besides, the man was still talking about the expedition.
He glanced back to the bone as he thought of another idea. He could see the man couldn’t be convinced with confidence, so with a defeated groan he made a final move.
“I will have to come clean before we continue. I was already aware of the tusk’s origins and have seen its other half. My interest is still genuine and I had hoped the Friar’s story was off. I’ve never been one to trust those of the church at their word.”
He gathered himself in his seat, not fully relaxed, but still comfortable. Like in the presence of an ally.
“I would say we haven’t been on the closest terms, but you’ve always been blunt when it comes to business. I respect that and if what the Friar told me is true by your account, then that bone can be of use to both of us. Had he told you it may be a map?”

The Duke looked at Tarmen. His curiosity even more peaked now. "No, I don't think the Friar knew it was a map." He paused placing his fingers under his chin. "How do you know it's a map? And a map to what?"