The lord steward leans forward slightly, placing his elbows on the armrests of the smaller throne and folding his hands together, issuing a soft hum to indicate his thoughtfulness. [color=#A9A9A9][b]"I understand everyone's concerns— it would be terrible to send such powerful figures as yourselves only to find it is some pretender trying to impress a loved one..."[/b][/color] The stoic leader sits in thought for a moment. [color=#A9A9A9][b]"But, I trust Idris' Sentinels, especially since the reports come from our ancestors' ruins."[/b][/color] Geraint gives Astlo a pointed look as he says this. [b][color=#A9A9A9]"As many of you may know, many of the ruins are considered too dangerous—because of their protectors or because the doors have been sealed for nearly seven millennia or more. I think Idris only exercises caution out of habit, but these are mysterious indeed, enough to warrant my attention."[/color][/b] He looks around the room at those in attendance before nodding slightly. [color=#A9A9A9][b]"Assume these reports are not of some master arcanist who has gone undiscovered by our Grand Wizard, but indeed someone who bears the royal authority and knowledge to enter. At a time such as this, where the people feel uncertain, our own knights think and wonder, and our neighbors see weakness—I [u]have[/u] to believe that Solarin watches over us, even if I am not normally a man of faith."[/b][/color] The steward stews for a few more moments, perhaps allowing the seriousness of this request to settle in. [color=#A9A9A9][b]"Please, if you still doubt the task, then speak. Otherwise, I would have you depart as soon as possible to Greypeak."[/b][/color]

Idris only nods before looking purposely towards those who were tasked with leaving. [color=#6A5ACD][b]"To clarify simply: these places that have been opened and entered by [i]someone[/i] are places that not even I nor the Elder Sage have seen for ourselves."[/b] [/color] Idris' words settle heavily upon some of the others. Althea's eyes widen in disbelief as she looks from the Watcher to the Archmage, while Seraphine’s composure breaks in obvious awe of such news. There is no further word from most of the other knight commanders. Instead, eyes fall upon those tasked with the journey, expectantly.