[i]"Let us see if you live up to expectations."[/i] -Sarah Darkhammer, Page 1.

[b][center]Royal Blood[/center][/b]

Rayne Walker's comments elicited a great deal of distrust from Xavier. At a glance one could be forgiven for mistaking such a look as having a murderous intent. Instead, he takes a deep breath, and looks Rayne dead in the eyes. [b]"I'll be sure to keep my daughter safe... Just as soon as [i]you[/i] leave."[/b] Perhaps it wasn't best to implicate the victim's daughter of anything to a man who was likely distraught by the situation... And, notable, distrustful of foreigners... As well, Penelope noticed the distrust from Rayne, and immediately looked down at her feet. Her hands come together nervously over her thighs as she recoils back into her traumatized shell.

Mikan smiled upon hearing Ceann's suggestion to split up. There was a hint of nostalgia in that smile. [b]"Oh boy! I'll just wait to see how all of this turns out before deciding who needs my help more!"[/b] She giggles playfully, though the forewarning of the potential attack on Kouri was still concerning her. One could almost mistake a deep sense of care for the situation from the way her eyes kept moving to the door.

Penelope looked up at Auric when he told Rayne to slow down. A faint smile managed to reach her lips before she looked back down to her hands, which seemed a little more relaxed now. She murmured quietly enough that others would have to strain to hear the words. [b]"My hero..."[/b] Xavier also seemed to relax at the sight of his daughter feeling better, and looks to Auric, nodding appreciatively as any concerned father would before responding to his question. [b]"Light illuminating the rune will activate it, followed up with a vocalized or telepathic command."[/b] That answer held implications that Xavier didn't seem to mind sharing at this point in time.

Xavier's good mood seemed to help as Jason Drake responded to him. Instead of further annoyance, Xavier merely listened, not showing any further hint of emotion. There was nothing much for him to reply to that the others had not already stated, thus, Xavier said nothing.

It was Rayvon's comment of wandering the city she once called home that caught his attention. The outcast and a foreigner wandering the streets? Safe? He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the mere thought of such a ludicrous proposition. [b]"If you think it will help the investigation, I will order my men already looking for further evidence to continue their search intently."[/b] He seems to pause for a moment, rubbing his chin in thought he looks at Penelope who still seemed rather comatose. [b]"While out, go see a wizard named Venidrus. Her place is hard to miss, it is covered in bits and pieces of inanimate Gargoyles, south eastern part of the city... She might help enlighten you as to the nature of the magic used, and being somewhat of an outcast herself, surely, the two of you will get along [i]quite well[/i], angel-kin."[/b] Xavier did not appear to hold any love for Rayvon, but, on the other hand, where most would openly disdain her existence, he seemed to treat her the same way he treated most people: Coldly.

Thus it was that their plans were set.

Mikan quietly shuffles out of her seat and stretches for a moment before looking at the armed men, then at Rayvon and Ceann. To her, it was obvious which group needed help more. [b]"I guess I will make this a girl's only club."[/b] She smiles, a bounce in her step as she looks back at Xavier, who nods to her. The two had some kind of past. That was for sure. 

Xavier slowly stands up as well with a sigh, he didn't enjoy the presence of foreigners in an internal affair, but at least he tolerated them. [b]"Now I must attend to my personal adviser's wishes."[/b] With that said, Penelope snapped out of her dazed state to glare at her father. [b]"You keep [i]her[/i] around even now?..."[/b] Xavier glares back at his daughter. [b]"Silence is a virtue in front of [i]guests[/i], Penelope... Please do not start this here."[/b] Penelope rolls her eyes and shakes her head, crossing her arms over her chest. Even dealing with severe trauma, she was still young, after all. Xavier quietly retreats from the room after that, leaving just Mikan, Penelope, and the rest of the group, and whatever other hidden defenses were in the room.

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[b][center]The Hunt for Diana[/center][/b]

[b]"Hmph!"[/b] Stotgar puffed his chest out at the elf's rhetorical statement. [b]"Mindflayers. Bahh! They cannae' do anything if ye got a helmet."[/b] A little bit of his ancestral heritage slipped into his speech patterns at that point. Was that a sign that he was more comfortable or more careless? Who knew. The Dwarf, though, pulled out a large crossbow from off of his back. A cautious look would reveal that he also had a small axe. A wonderful assortment of killing weaponry. [b]"One ole' song from Matilda here and the poor ole' squids'll crawl right back in the dark to their fat mudders! HA!"[/b]

Nadira, on the other hand, seemed quite perturbed with the situation, and this led Stotgar to her side almost like a loyal puppy. [b]"Dun' let the dark in yer eyes, under the ground is where my people live! When we're all through with this mess I'll show you to a nice dwarven bar, and get ye some ale, n'--"[/b] The orange man steps in, finally, shoving a torch into the dwarf's beard. [b]"That's enough Stotgar."[/b] He mutters as he carelessly hands another one to Nadira. He then turns to Mathew, and gently hands him a torch. [i]"You and I are unique in a world full of normals... Stay safe."[/i] He was likely referring to the both of them being telepathic.

Stotgar arms 'Matilda' with a large bolt with a vial on the end of it instead of a regular sharp tip, and grins mischievously, revealing a set of yellowed, crooked teeth. [b]"I'll lead the way madam! I can see further in the dark than anyone here can."[/b] With that said, he moves into the darkness. The man in orange would likely stay between Nadira and Mathew, his torch lit.

Descending into the tunnel would quickly reveal a large cavern, hundreds of feet in size. How the desert didn't collapse in on it was an honestly good question and one that might be resolved by asking an archeologist or a member of the Mage's Guild, but, nonetheless, neither were on hand... Stotgar sniffs the air, then looks around. There were three passages they could travel down. One passage to the left radiated a little heat. A second passage, to the right, radiated a little cold. The one down the middle smelled wonderful, like roses, even, and Stotgar chuckled. [b]"The middle one is definitely a trap... Should we spring it?"[/b] He says almost with glee as the man in orange shakes his head. [b]"The path to the left would be quickest, but there are dragon spawn there, trapped and warped by madness from having never seen the sky... The middle is a path none dare to tread, we have seen magics like that before, there are tales that Queen Kouri even once faced such a threat and only narrowly escaped... The path to the right..."[/b] He narrows his eyes at the path. [b]"...I've never seen that path before. It must be recent."[/b]

The decision, thus, rested with the party... Which dangers would they face: The fastest path of fire, the dangerous path that none dare to tread, or the unknown trail...