Kyoto shook his head rolling his eyes. "Using your skills just for money is such a waste, I fight for only one thing and that's to bring honor to Hotaru Tsukiko Yori, the water dragon who blessed me with this sword, she dubbed me as her champion and I would bravely prove to her with honor and gratitude that I am worthy of her Devine grace. Money doesn't even come second or third, in fact gold has little importance compared to my Moon Child (Tsukiko = Moon Child)" he said. He then looked up at the sky and wondered if she could see him now. After this mission he would have gained more then enough honor and perhaps he could marry her. It wasn't all that crazy seeing as she did have a human form to change into. His clan, his village survived because of her watchful eye and her protect full prayers. He then tilted his head to look back at Deedlith. "Tsukiko is all that matters to me, I wouldn't be here if not for her..." He said as they walked.

Kyoko felt moved at Kyoto's words, not only did he follow this water dragon but he seemed rather... In love with it. That his fighting is just his way of gaining her heart. He moved over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I bet she is proud of you Kyoto." Ryoko was surprised at Kyoto's words. None of her weapons or herself were blessed by some great dragon. She kind of envied him in a way.

Heinrich lead the group farther and farther away from the city and as he did so he took notice of the sun fading behind him as the environment grew darker and darker. The chirping of birds began to lessen as well. He listened to the group's conversations and even though he was quiet he was learning more and more about them by the way the speak, how they speak, and their mannerism. The Aeria seemed to be here for the gold entirely where as the others had a more honorable approach to the mission. They where here because if the did not go on this mission the world as they know it could end. Heinrich feared one thing the most and that was what could be waiting for them there. The chalice was guarded by more then just a door and its seal. There were traps in that place as well as monsters this group has never seen before. He sighed and decided he should be looking for a place for them to stay, for the night. It would take them five days to get there, sooner if they didn't stop to rest but even his legs would need resting after so much walking. He tapped his staff and the end of it glowed a neon green causing a good ring of light so that those who's eyes do not adjust quickly to the change of light to darkness.

He lead them off the path and into the valley of trees. He knew of a place they could stay for the night that would not bother anyone. Infact the place was their next destination any ways sense it would give them a nice shortcut. Together they would come upon a solid stone building. The building had a large dark wooden double door with chains keeping it from opening or from being opened. The building was rather worn out with moss growing on it as well as hanging moss from its roof top. Heinrich smiled as he looked at the white flowers growing from the moss and then he gestured to it. The clay golem that followed him took the lead this time and used its strength to smash not only the chains and break them but also pushed open the doors. Heinrich turned to face them ,his smile not leaving his face. "We will stay here for the night and for the next couple nights if possible... this will take was through a shortcut that will cut underneath the mountains that would slow us down if we were to traverse them." He explained and then walked inside. Not more then a couple steps in and suddenly he started to descend upon some stone stairs. These stairs would eventually take them into a good sized chamber that could fit them all without the feeling of being cramped. There were four pillars in this chamber that held the ceiling and along the walls were old tapestries worn out and dusty... in between them were large pedestals with Gargoyle's resting on top of them.

Heinrich moved to the center of the room and touched his staff to the floor and instantly a make shift camp was formed with bed rolls matching each members size and of course a pit with fire to keep them warm. Over the pit would be their super, it was a beef stew with many potatoes and other vegetables and around the fire were stools with a bowl and spoon sitting upon each one. This spell was a simple one that he himself prepared for this journey. He then moved to find a spot to sit and sit he did. He then closed his eyes and began to rest. His clay golem standing watch over him.

Elendil the elven ranger felt the eyes of the elf woman upon him and he had to smirk. He then began to feel the wind get colder and the light of the day fading as darkness descended upon them. Elendil's eyes adjusted pretty well, as well as his canine partner Ajax. The wolf's eyes seemed to glow bit by bit every time the moon's rays caught them. He enjoyed staring at that glow and for some that same glow filled them with terror. Well at least not anyone in this group sense they would know that Ajax would not harm anyone of them, unless they forced him too or he ordered it. Perhaps when they stopped he would indulge the elf woman and talk with her. He had a lot of memories he could share with her. The moments he shared with Ajax by the lake, that the elves called Moonlight. They called it that because it was especially beautiful on the days of the full moon when it danced on the water's surface. It was then that their course began to change and Heinrich began to explain. They were to go underground from here ,but it would seem they would rest inside their destination for awhile before moving on. This was understandable and logical for there were some who were still tired from the traveling they had undergone to get to the city. They would have to keep in mind of their mortal partners in this quest. Yes, we elves and the lizard could walk on for hours and hours without needing to rest but these... humans. They did not have the gift of longevity and immortality like the elves do. In a way he envied that,... the ability to die of old age would be seen as a curse to them but to him, it would be seen as a blessing. How many friends of the forest have he seen die over the years and left him there alone? He sighed and looked up as they reached a infrastructure that seemed rather out of place in the forest. It was most odd by design but that did not stop nature from trying to take it over. The moss gave a distinct sent and the flowers where quite beautiful. Without notice the giant golem belonging to the mage smashed the chains and used its strength to open the doors. He watched as Heinrich disappeared into the darkness of the building and he could tell that there were stairs leading downwards. He followed him down and into a large chamber that was rather well intact despite the shape of the building on the surface. It was a little unappealing with its worn out tapestries of old and the gargoyles did not improve the atmosphere at all. However, the truly amazing part was that conjured by the mage leading them. In a blink of an eye the sorcerer summoned a large camp for all of them with everything they needed. He did not take the luxury in enjoying his own creation though as he moved to the side and sat closing his eyes to rest. The solitude guardian standing beside him watching over it master. He was rather impressed with the man and his abilities and hoped that it would help them all in the future.

He decided to take his next few steps towards the make shift camp and stirred about the stew within the pot. He did not really need it actually for he had carried with him some elven bread that would sustain him for the entire trip. However, he would not deny Ajax the bounty of a good meal. He poured some of it in one of the bowls on the stool and then placed it down for the wolf to enjoy. Once Ajax began to help himself he moved to sit down and from there he pulled out one of the pieces of bread and even though it was a small portion, it was enough to fill his stomach.

---

Nova felt the cold chill run up her back as the wind carried with it the coolness of night. She looked behind her towards the city that she thought she would see but found that it was out of her sight. Had they traveled that far already?... She took notice that the elf woman was staring at not just her but her brother, and Elendil as well. A bit of her wondered why and the other half didn't really care or find it at all important. Perhaps, it was their differences in dress or choice in weapons, in any case it was not all that interesting. Her attention got moved to the mage as he spoke. He voiced the next set of steps for them and right now those steps lead them off the path and under the oak trees. When they came upon the old stone building she found her self wondering what would be waiting for them in its deep darkness. She then found her eyes shifting to the drow elf. Would they face her kin in there?... maybe, maybe not, unless this new path took them down and deep into the earth. Once the entrance was opened she followed the mage down into the chamber. By the time she got down she already saw him in the center as he created for them a make shift camp. She crossed her arms and smirked. "Well someone likes to show off their spell book." She said and her smirk left her face when he moved away from the camp. He had no desire to partake in any of it and simply just rested alone. He created it all for them and not himself,... how selfless of him.

She suddenly felt a little push on her back and noticed Erandur was pushing her farther in. "Well lets not let his hospitality go to waste,..." He said as pulled her along towards the fire. He noticed that it was beef stew, he heard that it was quite popular when it came to traveling merchants who would rest on the side of the road. He never tried such a thing sense them being raised in the life of a elven city, they were never exposed to such thing. Not that they never enjoyed meat before, but this was something different altogether. He took up two bowls and began to fill one and then rose it up to offer it to Nova who just stood there. He wanted to share this experience with his sister seeing as he never tried such a thing. Then it occurred to him, Elendil lived outside the city... did he by chance partake in this kind of meal? He would inquire it of him later, for now he would eat. Once Nova stepped over to join him he handed her the bowl that he filled and then filled the other bowl for himself. He sat in one of the stools and used the spoon provided to try it. The meal despite it's looks was actually pretty tasty, from the looks of it besides beef, it had carrots, onions, mushrooms, and other vegetables. He looked over to Heinrich to inquire about it but found the mage asleep. He then realized one thing that he didn't before. This whole thing was one large conjuration spell, he wondered if it drained the man by casting it. Human's did not have very large mana pools like elves do naturally and he shook his head at him. How reckless,.... well nothing he could do about it now but he would scold the man later about it. For now he would simply make sure there was enough stew left over for Heinrich. He then looked to Nova who seemed to rather enjoy the meal as much as him. He enjoyed the carefree attitude she always had and decided that they needed a adventure like this to open their eyes and to get out for awhile. Perhaps, he could loosen his shoulders some more and let them drop. These thoughts made him regret the attitude he showed to the man earlier.

De was doing fine until he noticed a certain presence beside him which caused him to stall a little in his gait, thinking that perhaps they had stopped. Once he realized that they were still on the move, he continued beside her as she intended. Quickly she introduced herself as De looked over her face. Her ethnicity was different and unique aside from other human races, and her skin too was a unique pigment. He had to wonder why the white hair. If all of her race were constructed like this then he found it rather odd. "Yes, i am DE. " he said plainly, his voice resonating as if it was echoing inside his armor.

He was rather relaxed and benign unlike his first encounter with the elvish woman. "I'm sport for my naïveté, but what are you...? For a lack of better words..."

With his road side conversation they came upon a stone looking building that looked well aged. A man made structure made beautiful by nature.
With a command Heinrich ushered the golem to smash the entrance and it was there that they would rest.
Upon entering, Heinrich also seemed instantaneously create a camp from no-where which made him stop and hesitate.

Kyoto, Ryoko, and Kyoko found themselves staring down the stone structure that had aged with the help of the nature around it. This is what happens when a building is not taken care of as often by it's masters. Kyoto wondered something though and looked about before entering. He then gestured to his kinsmen. "Such architect and it had to have had purpose right?" He asked them. Ryoko looked to it and studied its design and that of the door. He did create some point and it only raised questions that she could not find the answers to.
"If it had been built for a reason then where are the makers of it?" She asked particularly no one." I mean they would have to live nearby right?,... and why chain up the entrance?"
"Unless the did so to keep something in or something out...." Kyoko finished. "I think it wise to keep full alert while we are down inside it." he then proceeded to follow the rest of the group inside. No use standing outside talking about it. However, the atmosphere inside made him think more on the subject. The gargoyles,... what purpose did they have?... in some cultures they stood as immortal guardians protecting the dead. However, there were no caskets down here. No skeletons, just rotted tapestries that have no more value and dust. He then noticed the conjured up camp that the mage had made. What sorcery is this?... how can one conjure something out of nothing?

Kyoko would feel Ryoko brush past him moving to the location of warm food and he rolled his eyes. How can you trust something created from magic?... Then again Heinrich had no reason to poison them or anything...right? Then he found Kyoto moving past him as well to join the young woman and his mouth dropped. Don't think with your stomach you foolish man.

---

Kyoto felt no reason to mistrust the mage, why would he kill them here of all places. Why summon sooo many warriors and then kill them if all he wanted was the chalice for himself. There was a mystery about the man but it wasn't this and he doubt the man was of any danger to them. Problem was, the man had to rest after conjuring such a thing. In his view, this would be a perfect time for a enemy to attack. Right when their mage is asleep. Then again, its not like they only have one mage. There were the elves that traveled with them, they likely have some sort of magic they could use. He wasn't all that hungry though despite the looks of the stew. However, that did not stop the young lady as she helped her self to it. "Well you eat like you haven't had anything for days..." He commented and she looked up to smile at him.

"Actually I haven't,..well I wouldn't say days." She responded. "I just have not eaten all day and as much energy as I have spent it wouldn't be smart to not eat something. You probably should too seeing as your pretty big."
Kyoto rose a brow and moved over to sit next to her. "So your saying this because I am a samurai aren't you?... that when the time comes to fight the energy I have stored wont be enough to fight with huh?" He said.
Ryoko gulped down what she had in her mouth and then waved her hands. "Well that's not exactly all of it,... I mean if your parents told you, for mine certainly told me, that it is not healthy to go without eating even when you don't feel like it." She said and this caused him to nod his head.
"Wise words for such a young lady,..." He said and that convinced him to at least eat something and he stood up took up the bowl and spoon and fixed him a meal and returned.

---

Hotaru traveled through the trees and brush of a nearby forest. She was not in her human form, which explains why she avoided the road. She did not want to start a panic among the people of this country. Her kin may worship and respect dragons but these people felt the very opposite. They feared them to the point they would attempt to kill a dragon first with the thought of avoiding it from killing them first. This form however, gave her the ability to track as her sensitive nose brought to her smells that a human nose would miss. This also made her have to use her spells to take control of the wind to invite new smells for her to study. Once she picked up the scent she desired he was on the move again.

Much to Cassandra's surprise De didn't even know what she was. She stood there blinking her eyes and turned her head to look more directly at him. He never seen a drow before?... well that could be expected in some places but he should have at least heard of my kin. Was his home that distant that they had no run ins with her kin nor even heard enough tales to know what she is. Hmm this could be a rather enjoyable journey after all. However, there conversation was cut short when they stopped at the stone worked building. There was nothing more uncontrollable then nature. She could tell how much had been taken over from its colored rock and the moss growing on it. The foreigners took well to notice it as well. How could something so massive just be left alone to the world. Then Heinrich's golem opened it's doors allowing them to go inside. When she finally got down there her and De were given a nice show of magic as Heinrich conjured up a make shift camp. De seemed to be a little nervous of it and she chuckled a little bit. "You don't know much about magic do you?... this is what some call conjuration.... The school of conjuration can teach those who are capable the ability to summon all kinds of things out of nothing. From non tangible things like a camp site, to living and breathing specimens

She then began moving towards it..."Lets continue our conversation a little closer to the fire okay,.. I maybe a drow but did take to liking warmth by fire light."

Areia's mind was elsewhere, darkness enveloping the group as they walked through the trees. She had seen places similar through her travels, in fact she was unsure whether she had ventured through this particular area before. She followed the mage as he led them, making a beeline for a old abandoned stone building, overrun by nature. The golem continued to amuse her as it broke the heavy chains and opened the wooden doors to its master's command. The building was seemingly empty, ruined tapestries hanging from the walls and cobwebs in almost every crevice available. Her steps echoed as she walked down the cobble stairs, running her hand along the wall imbedded with stone. A large chamber awaited at the bottom, lit only by the soft glow emanating from Heinrich's staff.. Again, she was in awe at Heinrich's ability as he conjured up a decently-sized campsite with appropriate bedding and all. It was cosy, to say the least. Areia pulled up a stool and sat, rather happily scooping herself a bowl of the stew. It made her a little homesick, to be honest. The delicious smell reminded her of her days before she left on her travels as a bard, the smell that would engulf her house as her mother cooked the meal. Beef stew was somewhat rare in her household as the main had become increasingly rare for people of her class, but that was what made it so special.

She picked up a spoon and began to eat the stew, ignorant of the others around her. Of course, it wasn't quite as good as her mother's but that didn't stop the sudden nostalgia from flooding her mind, the memories of her and her siblings crowding around the table for the largest serving. Areia couldn't stop herself from letting out a small sigh as she continued to eat, reminiscing of her younger days. She held her hands out towards the fire, soaking up it's pleasing warmth amidst the cold of the night and taking care not to burn herself. Last time she got to desperate for the heat of a flame she ended up with second and third-degree burns on her arms and torso.

---

Deedlith breathed in the scent of pine trees, trees that were present within her House's land. Like Areia, the Elf was already beginning to experience slight homesickness, although it passed quickly when they approached the stone building. It was simple, yet the abundance of plants and flowers entangling themselves around it made it even more of a sight to behold. The clay golem abruptly destroyed the chains and broke open the large double doors, much to her human companion's delight. Peon, who was perched calmly on her shoulder, dug her talons into Deedlith's skin, causing her to wince. While the bird was not easily frightened, loud noises alarmed her to some extent. The Elf stroked Peon's soft coat to soothe her and the owl's sharp claws loosened their grip.

She stepped inside and followed the mage into an underground chamber where he summoned a campfire, food and bedding in the centre, an interesting spell to have in one's arsenal. Magic required a somewhat complex understanding, although performing the spells themselves lacked such complexity. The use of magic was forbidden to all members of House Araviel, restricted only to the clan's healers and shamans who were the only members not to learn any form of offensive skills. Deedlith had read few books on the art of conjuration in her time, but her knowledge was limited as she could never quite grasp a clear understanding of the subject. She took a seat next to Areia, who had almost devoured her whole serving, and spooned herself a bowl. The Elf was aware that the mage's energy would have taken a blow from such a spell, but she suspected that it wouldn't affect him as much as it would affect someone of lower standards.

Beef stew wasn't a typical meal for Deedlith, in fact she had never encountered the combination of meat and vegetables at all. Of course she had read of it, but the taste was largely unfamiliar. Her meals usually compromised of nuts, fruits and berries, despite her clan's great appreciation for a good boar or deer. She wasn't necessarily a picky eater, nor was she against killing animals for food, so she simply pushed aside the small pieces of beef and ate the vegetables without saying a word.

Nova finished her meal rather quickly and as she rose up from her seat she noticed that De was standing with the drow elf a little distant from the rest of them. She moved and grabbed one of the clean empty bowls and filled it with a helping of stew and picked up the spoon and headed over to him. "You didn't get a chance to eat anything did you?" She asked."...When we were in the city that is. Here have some, it is best you restore what energy you lost for we will need your strength later on." She said. She was pretty much trying to warm up to him in penance for her early transgressions towards him. She wanted to try and wash away any first impressions he had gotten from her. She offered him the bowl with the stew raising it up to him.

Erandur did not like what he was seeing but he decided to remain quiet for now. He did not want to get yelled at more and he decided he would have to get used to the company he had to keep. Unlike the other elven female, he was raised to look at outsiders in a different way then most. Perhaps this was a time to learn if the rumors were true. Are all humans bad? or are just some of them. Ishmael seems rather... friendly. He shook his head and leaned back to stare up at the ceiling. This whole thing had him confused.

---

Elendil found himself approaching Deedlith and once he got close enough to interact with her, he did just that. Starting with a simple question. "Your a Elven Ranger aren't you?" He said. He could tell by her weapon of choice and of course the animal companion. The only time someone has a animal following them around could either be a pet, or their a Druid or a Ranger. The animal being a exotic one such as a Owl who looked pretty wild despite its feelings to it's partner. Much the same with him and Ajax.

Kyoto then began surveying the area and his eyes kept lingering to the gargoyles. "Hey Ryoko what is your take on those things?.. don't they look like they could come alive at any moment." He said as he proceeded to eat his meal. He could see the Ryoko was already done with hers. He asked this question mostly because the objects began to really make him nervous. The things looked so well crafted that he had this feeling that they were watching them and waited for the oppritune time to jump them and kill them. "Right now I have this strong urge to taking Icingdeath and dismantle them..." He voiced to her. He then looked back to her and smirked. " I would rather be thinking of the lovely lass I am sharing my company with then those things."

Ryoko laughed a little at his comment but then stopped. She knew that he could see her blushing a bit and she shook her head. "Well perhaps you should erase all images of the gargoyles then and think of someone like me. I know your just trying to flatter me though, I find some of the women with us to be much more prettier then myself. Especially the elf woman over there with the pink hair." She said.

Kyoto nodded a bit and then sighed. "Yeah but their not from my homeland, where you on the other hand are. But you are right, I am trying to flatter you. I have my mind set on a lass back at home." He said and Ryoko recalled his words earlier and she sighed.

Kyoko just shook his head at the both of them. 'How can they think of that of all things at a time like this.' He turned his head to look to the mage and he wondered how long they would stay here. Most likely until he woke up from his exhaustion anyways. Sleep was a necessary thing for all of them but he didn't like this room. It gave him the creeps.

Ishmael was probably one of the last people to reach the pot and when he did he decided to fill two bowls instead of one. What he did afterwards was move to the location of the mage Heinrich and gave him a little nudge to wake the mage. He then sat down next to the man handing him one of the bowls. "Eating is also another good way to restore your strength and energy too." He said to him and Heinrich nodded.
"Thanks...." Heinrich said in response and slowly began to eat the meal.
"No problem,...what shall we expect to find down here Heinrich?" He asked and the mage looked to him and then towards the gargoyles. Ishmael followed the mans gaze and waited for the great mage to explain or answer him.

"To be honest Ishmael, I do not know. We could face anything on this journey and I hope that we don't come face to face with the evils of the underdark. There are creatures of that world that you would only see in your nightmares." He said which made Ishmael a little uneasy. "It will be best to be full alert and to keep your aura sensory at a high." He continued drawing a nod from the paladin.

The paladin proceeded to eat and then suddenly he felt a pain, not in his chest but as if something very important was now forever lost to him. He sensed as if a great aura of the light had just suddenly been put out and replaced by something very evil. The light aura was familiar too but before he could determine who it belonged to it vanished completely. This pain could be seen as a headache to anyone watching as he grasped his head. What was going on?......

Heinrich looked over to him seeing the man go through some kind of trial of the mind. Heinrich moved a hand to Ishmael placing it on the back of the holy knights neck. "Are you alright?..."

As DE stood trying to decide what he felt about just things coming out of no-where, the dark woman cassandra came back up beside him. De huffed at her mention of a lack of magical knowledge. " ...no I suppose I do not.. Im a simple farmers boy at heart.." he lamented and listened to her explanation of conjuration, a new word to add to his repertoire. "...conjurr-ation. " he repeated, blinking hopelessly and looking back at the now, conjured things. What came to mind for him was the integrity of the things. Not to question Heinrich's abilities, he certainly seems capable its just.. hard to understand. If something could just become something out of nothing, is it really...a something?

DE followed cassandra towards the fire as she seemed to be his only guidance as of late, the warm orange light reflected off his breast plate as he came nearer. His head perked up at the mention of the word 'drow'. "Drow..so your a Drow." He couldnt' help but feel as if he was a little child back in a schoolhouse, learning how to read and write. It was a harmless sense of helplessness, but helplessness none the less. At least his guidance isn't exactly berating him for his lack of knowledge.
Before he could ask her a possibly embarrassing question about her hair, the elvish woman from before had come up with a bowl of the conjured food. The smell distracted him first and his vision went to a steaming hot bowl held by delicate hands, and then up to the face.
"Oh..mm- no I have not." The gesture was enough to evoke a smile even if it wasn't aware of it.
He opened a gauntleted hand to receive the bowl, " Thank you ma'm, I do appreciate it." He said softly, a little nervous by all the attention but seemed willing to forget. "I Don't think I was able to acquire your names.. -er both of you I meant." He took a step back to try and bring the conversation more to a trinity.
Even with his bowl of food in hand and even with it's steam it tingled his nose expertly, he still had doubts of whether it would taste good or even serve it's intended purpose. So he hesitated.

Nova smiled as he took the bowl away from her and she followed him as he stepped ever closer to the crimson fire. Right now De looked so cool as the fire's light reflected off his armor giving it a crimson hue, what made him cooler was looking at his face to see his hair creating shadows about his face with the fire bringing out his eyes. Then he inquired their names and she felt it best to introduce herself first hand. "My name is Nova,... I think it is good that we all get to know each other. It would make effective work if we able to sync our abilities to the betterment of this mission." She said as she bowed slightly. "I was actually joyed to see more then enough fighters to join on this mission. Your presence and the others will give magic users such as I and Heinrich breathing room,..."She added. Yes she had her brother to protect her ,but he wont always be there for her. He will not always be able to rescue me from disaster but with great numbers she knew everything would be okay. She then noticed something going on with the paladin and the mage. The paladin seemed to be experiencing some sort of pain about his head. "Sorry to keep our conversation short De, but it looks like our paladin is going through some problems. You will have to satisfy yourself with Cassandra for now..." She said.

With that she moved from from the two and moved towards Heinrich and Ishmael and as soon as she reached them she crouched..."Is he alright? Perhaps I could help..." She said as she focused some magic into her right hand causing its temperature to drop significantly. She then placed her cold hand about his forehead giving a ice pack kind of effect but with hands.

---

Erandur watched the whole scene and he felt a little bit awkward at his little sisters actions and her ability to care for those in need. She volunteered with out any second guesses to help the paladin. Which in a good sense is pretty smart sense if any of them ever got hurt severely or even cursed by a black spell, he would be the one to help them overcome that with healing spells and curse removal spells. Of course the paladin himself could in turn curse others as well in return. He would be a great ally to their cause. He wondered why his people never made an alliance with the paladins or this Church. Was it because of them being human?... he never thought of it before but his people may actually be in the wrong.

Time was passing and it seemed like most were getting along well. Deedlith was part-way chewing through a mouthful of carrots when Elendil approached her and asked a question. "That is correct, I am. And my guess is that you are the same?" She rested the spoon on the bowl and put it aside Peon who was rather contently asleep, nestled in his own feathers. "And what of your companions, particularly the male?" She asked, referring to Erandur who was staying in his own solitude across from the fire. He reminded her of a young Elf who always enjoyed his own company rather than that of others back home.

---

Areia set down her bowl and stared into the flames, deep in thought. This was the time when she would pull out her lyre and play a tune to add to the atmosphere. Her fingers could just remember the patterns to all the songs she used to perform during her travels, but she realised that giving up playing was one of the things she had to sacrifice when becoming a knight. Sure, Areia could play simple things but nothing like her younger days.

Looking up, Areia noticed the mage comforting the paladin, who she never did learn the name of (or couldn't remember), as well as the pretty Elf girl with the pink hair casting some sort of cooling spell. The paladin was clearly in some sort of anguish, grasping his head in his hands. The redhead shot up and fumbled around in a small space between her plate armour and undergarments, pulling out a small vial with amber-coloured liquid sloshing around inside. She rushed over to him and crouched before him, presenting the bottle.

"A simple concoction, nothing special. Made from wheat, lavender and juniper berries. And sugar. It'll make you feel better, I promise," she smiled, unscrewing the top. She had learnt the recipe while recovering from severe wounds, having had a unfortunate run in with unhappy tax-collectors as she passed through a small remote town. It was a strange remedy, one that temporarily numbed pain as well as headaches and illness and gave the drinker a strange comforting feeling. At least that's what Areia felt when she drank it. It had a rather pleasant taste to it and didn't have any officially special properties. Peculiar stuff, Areia always thought. But it worked in the worst of times so she had little to complain about.

Kyoto came to the conclusion that he was not going to sleep here. Not with the paladin having some kind of headache and the room looking like it is. "I think it will be wise that someone stands watch while the others sleep, I will happily be that person for I think it will be impossible for me to do so giving our current situation. I never liked dolls or statues, I always get this feeling that the moment I close my eyes they are going to lung at me..." He said. With that he put down his bowl and moved to sit somewhere so that a good amount of the room was in his view. He even went as far to draw his sword and lay it on his lap so that it was ready. It's cold blade made it all the more relaxing to be honest. He loved the feel of its blade for it was very smooth and the edges sharp. His katana though was only a single edge rather then double edged. There was many different shapes and sizes when it comes to this kind of blade. He could tell that the Ninja girl was a good fan of the katana only she used smaller blades. Which is understandable cause she was built for speed and agility. In all truth he wanted a fight to start right now, just so he could see the skills these people had. However, against gargoyles that may not work out too well. The azure knight, De had them covered against the gargoyles though with his huge axe strapped to his back. A blunt weapon works good against stone. The paladin and sorcerer may give something against them as well depending on their spell books. The paladin could turn that claymore into a deadly weapon with major blunt trauma if he applied his holy might to them.

---

Ryoko heard that the two elves were exchanging names and now that she was without a partner to converse with she decided to introduce herself to the elf woman and anyone else who cared to listen. "Konichiwa,... that means hello, pleasure to me you and your friend, my name is Ryoko Tomai." She said giving a slight bow and pressing her hands together.

---

Kyoko listened to the conversations and he took note of Kyoto's leave and where he went. It was a bit interesting to learn that a samurai such as him would be afraid of something such as a doll. I suppose everyone has their fears and he just hoped that any opposition wouldn't try to exploit their fears. Then again they didn't even know what kind of opposition they would face. Which made him wonder,... what kind of creatures would desire something like the Chalice of Silence. He also wondered what kind of power that had within it.

Ishmael felt the cold warmth of the elf woman's hand as it pressed against his forehead. It was real cold and a bit relaxing. He looked up and towards her face seeing her red eyes and her skin turned to a pinkish color from the darkness of the room. She was rather beautiful up close and then the other woman brought up a vial and he moved his hand to wave her off."No thank you, the elf maiden's spell is doing the trick for me. Besides I don't think it would work on this kind of headache anyways. This headache wasn't a natural one but of a more mystical proportion." He then refocused on the pink haired elf. "Thank you, but you can go about your business, I doubt you can sit their forever with your hand against my forehead." He said. The feeling of dread and the pinch of fear also left his mind as if it was all forgotten. Just because of the elf woman's clever distraction. He never knew a ice spell could be used as such.

"Your quite the odd one, miss Nova was it?" asked Ishmael. Heinrich nodded and he noticed the samurai walking of to sit somewhere, where he could see everyone as well as survey the statues. The man seemed really on edge about them and the mage could not help but smirk. He then noticed the drow elf conversing with De and he noticed a few others were a bit distant and less talkative.

---

Cassandra nodded to the pink haired elf as she moved to go help the paladin. The red head seemed to have the same thing on her mind but her help was rejected for Nova had beaten her right to it. She then looked back to De. "Well from what the surface elf said my name is Cassandra, you can call me Cass if you want and yeah Drow is the term that our goddess chooses, Some call us by dark elves. The silver hair we all have comes natural, every once in awhile you might get a red head of some sort of other bright color. Nothing special about it except it makes us more see-able at night." She said. "We are not liked much on what we call the surface world because of the bad deeds our kin have committed which resulted in a stray drow like myself to resort to the cunning ways of a rogue, you know the use of poison and other handy trinkets. I don't like it but when most of the population on this earth is twice your size you kind of got to find ways of taking the biggest foes down. Someone like me would be no match for someone so strong as you...." She commented. She knew a warrior like him would probably think less of her knowing that she used such tactics of cheating... there was no honor in it. Then again it wasn't about honor, it was about surviving and she took a mighty risk even entering Krystallem.

Nova smiled and she was thankful for the darkness for right now he would likely see her face flushed a bit with red. He of course was very handsome and his words of kindness just made the experience all the more enjoyable. Especially when he rejected the other woman's help saying that her little magic trick was all that was needed. However, he tried to shake her off with words and even though she couldn't sit there all night holding her hand against his forehead, It didn't mean that she wouldn't try. She moved her hand away though for her cold hand could make things worse now that the headache was gone. "It is just a simple frost touch spell but lowered to a weakened state, perfect for headaches or burns. " She said smiling moving her other leg down and sat down her legs underneath her. "Can I at least still keep you company?" She asked. She did not know why she asked that or why her heart suddenly raced.

Erandur stared from afar and then when he heard the other elf talk about him he turned his head to see that Elendil was talking to her. He narrowed his eyes wondering what they were talking about. He recalled her words and when doing so took note of her inquiring his name. He decided to speak up and loud enough for her. "I am Erandur of the Silvermoon family housed by lady Emeraude of Elfswing, south of the city of Lithium." He said. He then rose up to join them. He had to get a few things on his mind. So why not converse with two of his kinsmen. He then pointed over to his sister. "That is my youngest sister Nova, we are both rather skilled within our family and our futures were very promising according to the Queen and her Court of seers. You must of heard of Emeraude. Most elves know of her and her Seers." He added.

"Unlike my sister who was a expert in magic I took the path of steel, elven steel. There is no finer metal then that of the elves. For we put more into it then just rock and stone like most smiths. It is rumored that elven smiths imbue a bit of the great Corellon's will into each weapon, and each plate of armor." He said and he drew his blade and presented it to her. A finger brushing over a etched symbol of a crescent moon. It was the sign of Corellon Larethian. The god of the elves. "Corellon, the god of magic, music, arts, crafts, poetry ,and of course warfare... some human churches even follow him cause of his great blessings." of course the crescent moon wasn't the only symbol of Corellon. There was also the winged horse known as a Pegasus sometimes with a horn on its head. This symbol was upon the cloak that hung on his back like a cape underneath the sheath of his long blade.

---

Elendil smirked and watched as Erandur decided to be not so distant. He expressed himself a little too much to the point of showing her his blade. He nodded in answer to his question. "Yes I too am a Ranger but I belond to Elfswing just like Erandur and his sister. However, I live mostly in the woods outside of it." He said. He was a bit happy to see that Erandur was very devoted to their great god. Corellan was the one who set up the meeting between him and Ajax and he would always be thankful for that. There was no friend he could rely on more then Ajax and his keene senses.

Kyoto kept a good eye on the group listening to their conversations. Right now they were exchanging names with the newcomers, he would do so as well once they were on their way again. It would seem they would exit this room through the other door way but something about this room really unnerved him. It was probably just him being paranoid and his known fear for such objects as Gargoyles. They never looked right to him and it was a fear that always got the best of him. They were meant as gaurdians in some cultures which was some what understanding but why make them so evil looking. Perhaps it was used to strike fear and keep people away. Whatever the reason was he still didn't like them. Of course the mage's Golem didn't bother him cause its eyes were not detailed enough to spook him.

---

Kyoko decided to take a closer look at one of the Gargoyles and started to study it's design. The time would take to carve something such as this with little light must have been hard for the maker. He wondered if such detail could be put into a golem?... such as the one Heinrich constructed. his was not put in much detail. He simply designed it to be huge with big arms and legs and a small head. These things were designed with great patience. Everything looked so real as if it was going to lung at him at any moment.

"Suit yourself," Areia shrugged, rising from the floor. She downed the drink in a single gulp and surveyed the room behind her. Such a mundane concoction was probably too mundane for the paladin anyway. Kyoto had declared that he was going to keep watch while the rest of the group slept, so Areia stepped around the sleeping mats and went to join him, sitting cross-legged by his side. Going to sleep was out of the question at this point. She was flooded with energy and couldn't keep herself from tapping the cold ground impatiently with her fingers.

"Gargoyles eh? Ugly things, aren't they," the redhead asked the samurai, looking at the strangely shaped stone figures. They were immaculately detailed, but the seemingly inescapable glare they held sent chills down Areia's spine. Why they were placed in an underground chamber, she was unsure. They looked out of place even, because as far as she knew a gargoyle's purpose was to ward off of frighten unwanted visitors, not the people inside. But she didn't care. It clearly bothered Kyoto more than it did her.

She cocked her head towards the samurai's weapon which shone from the light of the fire when she looked at it from the right angle. "It's a beautiful blade, by the way," she added, shifting positions on the floor.

---

Deedlith watched as another elf proclaiming himself as Erandur approached her and Elendil, informing her of his clan. "Of course I have heard of your family and Lady Emeraude but my knowledge of her is limited. If the both of your futures were promising according to her word then I am interested in seeing your prowess in battle. I expect nothing less than great, of course," she replied, standing from her seat and extending her hand towards him. Elven steel was more commonly used for armour rather than weapons where she came from. Deedlith was curious as to how he fought, presumably with far more grace and tactics than her human companion.

"Deedlith, of House Araviel. My father, Voranil is the head of our clan. Our family is not as well heard-of as you Silvermoons, although we've had our glories from era to era," the elf told them, smiling. "And this is Peon." She pointed to the owl perched on her shoulder, who she had awoken as she stood.

"It is good to see another ranger here, I'm sure there's much we can learn from eachother, if you are interested." Deedlith looked at Elendil, who had smirked at his brother's eagerness to show her the fine sword.

The elf turned to see a woman clad in somewhat ninja-like clothing approach them and greet her with a foreign hello. "Ryoko? You are friends with Kyoto, am I right in thinking so?" She asked, extending her neck slightly and referring to the samurai a distance away from them. "And the pleasure is all mine," she smiled, bowing her own head slightly.

Ishmael smirked as the elf countered his words with a request to keep him company. This elf caught a interest in him and it wasn't too odd. Many women have had interests in him but they avoided much contact with him. He was a paladin of the sacred order of knights. A lot was expected of him and his brothers in arms. Plus with his holy alignment it would be tough on someone out of the church to have a relationship with him. They would have to change their lives and how they carry them selves. However, an Elf such as Nova whose race is so in tune with the god Corellan she would be perfect for a paladin such as him. He doubted that such a bonding would be allowed though. He nodded to her,"You can sit by me if you wish, I won't stop you." He then looked to the opening in the wall that they would soon be going down. "Don't get to comfy though, once Heinrich and everyone else has rested enough we will be going."

Heinrich sighed at the words the came out of Ishmael's mouth. "You might have to start using your spells of revitalization, not many of us are taking the presence of the Gargoyles and I would not want to force anyone to stay here. Infact why don't you just do that. Your elf maiden can walk with you as you go to each one." He said as he rose up from his spot and began moving towards the hallway and stood there to wait for the others.

As if on cue Ishmael rose up to his feet as well and then turned to Nova offering to her his hand to grab for leverage.

Cassandra simply waited for De's response to her explanation of herself and her kinsmen.

Ryoko shook her head at Deedlith. "Not exactly friends, we just come from a different country. Although I wouldn't mind becoming friends with him." She said and then she noticed that Heinrich had risen and began to move towards the other end of the room and stood in the entry waypoint of the hallway they would go through. She then noticed Ishmael getting up as well and he moved his hand towards the pink haired elf. "I think we might be leaving..."

---

Kyoto moved his hand about the cold steel. "Finest there ever was, it was blessed by a great water dragon." He said. "It was my final test before joining my clan. I honor them and her by going on this mission." He then looked towards the group as he became aware of movement and took notice of Heinrich and Ishmael. He looked to the red headed swordsmen and began to rise up from his seat. "I think it might be time to get moving."

---

Kyoko turned to see Heinrich moving towards the hallway. He figured it was time for them to start going. He walked towards him to join him.