Azjah walked through the doorway of the Inn with one purpose in mind. The find in the desert needed to be claimed and managed by a team. It wasn?t something she wanted to try to develop on her own, especially now with events on Pyxis heating up too. She needed someone with business savvy, exceptional wiles, and access to resources Azjah did not have. Kairee was that person. The best place to find the ravishing beauty? At the Inn.

She walked through the door and spotted Kairee sitting on the bar, sipping champagne, and talking to someone else, and so Azjah walked to a table to lay the valise down that contained the crucial information on the platinum vein, as well as the early estimates for the sapphire deposits accompanying the platinum arsenide complex. Azjah spotted a serving lad and asked for a glass of sparkling water and a plate of fresh fruit while she waited for Kairee to be available.

Rena gave her a not from her table where she was speaking with Ethan. ?It?s a good place to wander and think,? she said to him as Azjah curled up in a chair where she could keep an eye open for an opportunity to speak with Kai.

Ethan turned when Rena greeted Azjah, giving her a nod before resuming his chat with her. ?I don?t have much time to think these days. Still getting settled in and looking for work.?

Rena asked him what kind of work he was seeking, and he told her that he was a handyman, and he was pretty much looking for most anything at the moment. ?I like being able to move around and work for different sorts of folks, so the 9 to 5 job isn?t for me.?

Rena surprised Azjah then when she asked him how he was with weapons.

Ethan canted his head as he looked at her, apparently as surprised as I by her query. ?Well, that depends on what you mean.?

She pressed the query, ?do you know how to use them??

He pursed his lips slightly, ?well sure, but, I don?t use them all the time.?

Rena pushed further, asking him what kind of weapons he was familiar with using as Azjah pulled out a pen and made a note on the paper before her. She wondered just what prompted Rena to ask Ethan such questions and to push so hard for a straight answer.

Ethan shrugged, ?guns and knives, but only to the extent of hunting purposes. I?m a fast learner though.? He gave her a quick smile, ?my job depends on my ability to learn and adapt to new jobs.?

Rena gave him a slow nod before simply saying, ?interesting.?

Ethan eyed Rena with a raised brow. ?What?s interesting??

Rena smiled slightly, ?Hang around long enough and you will know that I like using that word a lot.?

Azjah took a sip of the sparkling water and glanced Kai?s way again. At precisely that moment, Xeric walked through the door, pausing only long enough to grab a bottle of beer before he gave Azjah is best smile, ?Hello Marchioness.?

Kai was now free, and Azjah rose from her chair, ?good afternoon Mr. Mues.? She had done it deliberately. He?d asked her to call him Xeric, but when he resorted to her title, she did the same out of habit.

Xeric sighed, ?I didn?t know my father was here.? He looked around, as though searching for his sire, ?I don?t see Mr. Mues.?

Azjah smiled at him as she passed him, ?Now Xeric, just what did you expect me to say when you addressed me via title? Xeric had meant to be respectful, and so had Azjah. Formality met with formality. She made her way across the room toward Kairee as Xeric greeted her as well.

Kai gave Azjah a nod as she approached, ?Kairee, when you have a moment, might I pick your brains a bit??

Kairee greeted Xeric before turning her attention back to Azjah. ?I hope you mean metaphorically, babes.?

Azjah smiled, ?Oh, my dear, I would not be so brazen as to mean literally. You?d fry me to ashes before I could begin.? Azjah leaned one hip against the bar where Kai sat.

Kai nodded, ?true.? It was Kairee?s self assuredness that Azjah respected the most. The woman never seemed weak, or uncertain, and that was a trait she found in too few. The woman also had one of the keenest minds in RhyDin. Kai returned Azjah?s look, ?what?s on your mind, babes??

Xeric nearly swallowed his bottle at that. Then coughed.

Kai?s shrewd eyes met Azjah?s, ?I will have to see the find, make my own assessment of value.? She shifted slightly on the bar, ?What sort of split are you considereing??

Azjah regarded her a moment, ?What sort of protection can you bring?? She swirled the sparkling water in the glass, ?Up to 40% interest. If you are interested, I can show you the site, of course, under NDA until you decide.?

Kai?s expression altered subtly, ?NDA? Nada? N?da? What is that??

Azjah took a sip of the water, ?Non disclosure agreement, you won?t tell anyone what you?ve seen, nor where.? She glanced at Cara, who remained silent during the business discussions.

Kairee arched a perfect brow at Azjah, ?You want to establish a partnership with me while making it clear that you don?t trust me??

Azjah shook her head, ?Kai, it?s not about not trusting you. I would not have approached you if I did not think you could be trusted.?

?Then what is this N?da for?? Her expression was not precisely friendly at that point.

Azjah met her gaze evenly, ?For anyone else you might bring along.?

Kai gave a dismissive wave, ?If I bring anyone with me, it means I trust them. If I trust them, so should you. After all, those that betray me don?t live long enough to gloat.?

Azjah was not comfortable taking anyone to the site without either a firm partnership, or the NDA. ?Those that might betray us will have done the damage before you can fry them.?

?How is this N?da supposed to prevent anyone from ?disclosin?? Is it a geis of some sort??

Azjah chuckled, seeing where Kairee was going with this, ?No, but it would offer me legal remedies assuming you didn?t fry them first.?

She laughed then, ?What law are you referring to??

When Azjah told her that it was her own home world laws, Kai laughed, ?And if they did violate this N?da, what makes you think they would be concerned with your laws? I?m not.?

Well, Kai is nothing if not blunt. ?We techie folks rely on mundane laws where magic fails.? Azjah told her then.

Kairee gave an elegant shrug, ?well, you have to, don?t you??

Azjah nodded, ?Yes, we do, which is why I am approaching you.?

?Tell you what, sweet-cheeks, I?ll oath bond anyone I let tag along.? It was definitely a stronger deterrent than an NDA.

Azjah accepted that offer, ?You make a handsome profit, I make a handsome profit, and we get both sides covered to protect us.? Azjah took a sip of the water, ?When would you like to take a look??

Kai said she could go whenever as she had nothing pressing, and Azjah admitted that she was going out to the site on the next day. Kairee agreed to go the next day and blew kisses all around the patrons still at the Inn.

Azjah pushed off from the bar and invited Cara to the table she?d taken earlier, and Azjah noted that Xeric was still watching her. She curled up in a comfortable chair and requested a refill as Xeric rose and exchanged his empty bottle of beer for a fresh one. He returned to his chair and looked at Azjah, ?I was wondering Azjah??

Azjah quirked a brow at him, after taking a bite of fresh pineapple, she said ?Yes Xeric??

?What brought about the interest in the museum?? His question startled her, even though earlier in the day she had asked him if he remembered the name of the Museum?s curator as she could not.

She covered her surprise with a smile, ?Oh, I have something I would like to offer the museum for its natural history display.?

He mumbled slightly, ?Natural history??

Azjah cut another bit of pineapple before she looked again at Xeric, ?The last time I was in the museum, that section was woefully missing key mineralogical examples. Given some of my projects, I am in a position to improve the displays.?

Xeric studied her a moment, ?Perhaps, but I?m not so s?? He stopped in mid sentence and turned the beer bottle up. She quirked a brow at him, ?not so???? She prompted, trying to get him to finish.

He put the half empty bottle back on the table, ?I?m sorry, I must remember to engage what little brain I have before I speak.?

Azjah gave the Russian a soft chuckle, ?Will you answer my curiosity and tell me what you were going to say??

He dissembled then, ?I was going to tell you how pretty you are.? That was not what he was going to say, but she let it slide.

?Thank you Xeric. What a lovely thing to say to someone.? She replied and let the issue of what he was initially going to say remain his secret.

He wiped his brow then, ?I was going to say that any contribution you have to offer would be more than appreciated.?

Azjah nodded, ?They are very nice specimens, and I do hope they can be added to the displays. Have you had an opportunity to visit the museum Xeric??

He nodded, saying he?d been there several times.

Cara remained silent during the exchange as she lifted a finger to summon one of the serving lads.

Azjah glanced at the time and excused herself, inviting the Duchess to the Palazzo for tea tomorrow. Cara accepted, then added, ?Perhaps I could offer my services as well to this endeavor of yours. I feel it?s time that I came out of my abode for a bit, in any case.?

Azjah departed and on the drive to the Palazzo, she planned for her trip with Kairee out into the desert to show her the find. She already had the surveys and initial reports for her review, but somehow she suspected Kai would make her decision based on what she saw at the mine.

Rena did not seem to be bothered by the sensation that slid through Azjah?s veins. She nodded slowly, ?That?s interesting.?

Azjah laughed softly, ?Most people find crystal chemistry utterly boring.?

She chuckled, ?You do know that some of what you are talking about is going right over my head?? She sipped her tea, ?But then you make me go to the library to try to figure out what you said, and it does become interesting then.?

Azjah nodded and apologized to her, ?It is a subject I enjoy very much, and I forget that not everyone does.?

Rena told her not to be sorry, and Azjah slide a folder toward her, ?This intrusion holds sufficient promise to justify sending a crew right away.? That was something that Azjah had wrestled with for several weeks since she and Gabriel had spent the time on Pyxis. Was she being overly optimistic? The seismological reports said no.

Rena placed her mug down and picked up the folder, as she skimmed through the information it contained, she asked Azjah if she?d meant a crew sent to Pyxis, or the desert. That elicited a quick glance around the shop from Azjah, who worried about who might have heard the off hand comment. Rena winced, ?oops, sorry.?

Azjah lowered her voice to barely above a whisper, ?Both locations. The one you refer to will be a small crew though. The other one could take a very large detail.? She nodded hearing Azjah?s answer and suggested that more guards might be needed to accomplish those tasks. Azjah nodded in agreement, ?Yes, we will.?

Rena continued to flip through the folder, ?I heard that you talked to a man called Gareth.?

Azjah sipped her tea, ?Briefly, but we never discussed any details. Do you know him?? Azjah hadn?t paid a lot of attention to the man, but that was also the day she?d spoken to Kairee, and seen Duchess de Winter for the first time in many months.

Rena nodded slightly, ?We have talked, and it seems he thinks I helped him locate the house he?s moving into. He sent me a finder?s fee.? At Azjah?s chuckle, Rena added, ?I suggested Battlefield Park for what he was looking for. We took a walk around it. He found a place to his liking.? She shrugged as if to say it was not big deal.

Azjah gave another light laugh, ?that?s good.? It would do Rena some good to get out and about to help put some of her ghosts to bed.

The laughter drew the attention of the mage once more to the balcony. His features carefully schooled into impassivity as he glanced once more into the shadowed balcony. Then he abruptly pivoted on his heel and took the heavy tome and tea to a chair in the shadows downstairs, but he selected one that still gave him a good view of the two women in the balcony.

Rena continued, ?And, there might be another. He is not liking what he is doing right now either.? She continued to peruse the folder Azjah had given her.

Azjah quirked a brow at Rena, ?And security is right up his alley??

She gave a slight smile, ?Gareth, yes, also the other. We went running this morning. Let?s just say when I ran into him in the Inn, he was cleaning weapons.?

Azjah?s brow rose fractionally, ?Is it me, or is there a sudden plethora of guardian sorts?? She sipped the tea, ?Garry, Aaron, Gareth,? Shaking her head she looked solidly at Rena, ?Either that or I have not paid sufficient attention around town.?

Rena shrugged, ?Aaron has been around for a while. Gareth about a month or so, but I do agree.? She laid the file down onto the table, ?Gareth is the newest one, the others have been around.? Then she slid the folder back toward Azjah.

The mage?s ear tips tilted minutely as he kept his eyes focused on Uruviel, but his hearing was clearly trying to keep tabs on what the two women were discussion above him.

Azjah caught just the glance from the mage, and the expression on Uruviel?s features and excused herself a moment from the women, telling them that her tea needed to be refilled. But she meant to go downstairs past the mage. If he wanted to say something, she would give him the opportunity. At the bottom of the stair, she asked the waitress for a refill of the cranberry tea.

He gave a very subtle purse of his lips as he continued to track Azjah?s movements down the stairs toward the counter. Azjah slid platinum coins across the counter as she took the fresh cup of tea and turned toward the mage. He was speaking to Uruviel, ?I want it especially graphic, so the ones that ye leave alive??His iris-less eyes met and held Azjah?s pale blue gaze as he continued with Uruviel, ?And ye will leave a small handful of their fleets alive can tell their sealord what supernatural horror plagues the seas. We want them jumping at shadows and mist.? A slow, cruel smile formed on his lips as he watched the blonde ascend the stairs to rejoin her circle of friends. Then he turned his fiery gaze back onto the woman in hot pink as he dismissed her. Then he returned to the magical grimoire seated before him. He opened the pages of the tome and a sparkle of intangible, effervescent light rose from the aged pages as he sat the book across his lap. From the balcony, the pages appeared blank with the exception of the colored lights.

Azjah returned to Rena and Topaz, catching bits of their discussion, ?Her not having wings seems not to be a handicap,? Topaz was telling Rena, who laughed, ?There are always ways to get around things.?

Topaz shook her head, ?Just not around little ones picking up things from their parents, if you want them to or not.? Topaz frowned, ?But now I won?t be able to trust her with any other than Carpathian baby sitters.?

Azjah set the silver tray down with the insulated pot of tea before curling up once more in her chair. Topaz welcomed her back, and she poured a fresh cup as Topaz said, ?I didn?t expect her to be this difficult until a few years from now.?

Rena laughed, ?Always expect the unexpected.?

Topaz glanced between them, ?It can?t be normal for children to be developing powers this early, can it??

Azjah quirked a pale brow at Topaz?s interrogative. ?I am uncertain about that development rate Topaz; but I am certain that Lucien can answer that query.?

She took another bite of her chocolate pastry, ?If he wants to. It?s one thing to play peek-a-boo, quite another to fade from the visible spectrum at will.? She shook her head, ?Scary, I tell you.?

Azjah wondered if there were ways to curtail Sylviana?s abilities as Rena sat back and listened.

Topaz considered it, ?I?m sure there is. I?d prefer to be able to make her see reason, though, rather than using mind control. She?s a little young though for reasoning.?

The mage turned the page, and as his fingers brushed the parchment, impossible diagrams and geometric shapes formed along side columns of glyphs, which were written horizontally to form geometric shapes of their own, and intersected at points by the lines of the two dimensional planes. If that were not maddening enough, the runes took light, and began to scroll in an array of colors across the pages while three dimensional patterns began to form. The diagrams came alive in places with the flare of dweomer and mana, as if sucked into the space of the page if the page were a black hole. He studied a moment before passing to the next colorful display that shifted and wove itself to a life of its own on the next two sheets of velum.

Azjah glanced over the railing again as her peripheral vision caught a shifting flash of light that reminded her of the Auroras.

Azjah had missed much of what had been said between Rena and Topaz, but she was brought back to the present, ?A dog might do it though.?

The Marchioness blinked and looked at Topaz, ?What makes you think a dog would help??

Topaz elaborated, ?It would be someone she?d want to be here for.?

Azjah nodded absently before leaning closer to Rena, ?Have you ever seen that kind of spell work before?? Azjah?s world shunned magic, but this was something that even she had to take notice of.

The mage?s gaze shifted back to the balcony as Topaz rose to leave. His lips pursed and his brow dropped as he stared out from shadow steeped ocular sockets with those burning, vibrant ruby eyes that were backlit with a mixture of darkness and flames. His nose wrinkled slightly, and his chin lifted a fraction as he tracked the fairy as she exited. His eyes then narrowed, almost with an inexplicable vehemence as he studied the blonde who remained behind. ?I was unaware the Barrister?s conversational companions branched so far.?

Azjah leaned back into the cushions of her chair, sliding her gaze toward Lord Veighn. ?The Barrister?? His statement had taken her by surprise.

?Lucien Mallorek,? the mage said as his fingers re-draped themselves over the end of the arm rest after he closed the tome that lay in his lap. He created a floating image of Lucien Mallorek. His head turned slowly, almost with a mechanical disembodiment for a clear, three dimensional image.

Azjah studied the image of a man she?d never seen before, ?I am afraid I do not know this Lucien Mallorek.? She sipped her tea, ?It was Lucien Daratrazanov that we were speaking about.? She smiled then, ?And his is not a Barrister, per se.? She did not feel the need to explain that what Gabriel and Lucien did for their Prince was nothing short of being judge, jury and executioner.

The image vanished, ?Very well. I thought perhaps ye might relay a message, though, I see little need for such now that the truth of mine hearing is out.? He paused, as though seeking the right turn of phrase from the vast library of his mind. ?I notice magic?s allure has nae been lost upon ye.?

Azjah colored slightly at his observation. ?Yes, and was it constellations I saw in some of them?? Her love of space and the stars had helped her pick out the long vanished systems in some of the images.

?There are heavenly patterns in the formulae of some higher magical arts. That much is widely known by all scholars of the arcane arts.? He canted his head somewhat, ?This revelation surprises ye?? His brow arched slowly as amusement outlined the twitching curve of his lips, and in the corners of his eyes. He had no way of knowing that magic was pretty much outlawed in Rigel.

She took another sip of her cranberry tea, ?My home world frowns heavily on magic and magicians.? She was still peering over the railing of the balcony as she made the observation that some of the constellations had appeared familiar. ?You have studied these arcane arts for a long time?? She suspected that he had, but there was no way of knowing for just how long.

He met her eyes fully, ?This world frowns heavily on mineself. Shouldit surprise me that yours would not grant me their favor?? His expression of humor grew despite the restraint he held in check behind a cool exterior mask, it shone in his eyes. But that sudden amusement brought more light to his features, and angular shadows were cast over his face while other portions were illuminated. She caught sight of bronze dusted flesh, and the faintest tracery of scales. ?It depends on what you consider a long time. Time is subjective to the individual perceiving it.?

She nodded at Lord Veighn, ?Very true, but while I have been in RhyDin many years, I have never seen the likes of that book.?

He nodded, ?Few have, tis of mine own composition.? He slid the book toward his thigh, angling it into the belt satchel at his hip. It disappeared within, and in moments, its outline disappeared as its cloth grew slightly more lax. Azjah assumed it was some form of ?bag of holding? as she regarded him.

Azjah grew curious, ?Are you, as Topaz called you, a Summoner??

?I am many things, and have many monikers. Though, summoning, as she has a wont to call it, is a school of magic in which I am proficient.? He nodded accordingly, his features remaining solemn, and the shadows moving around his otherwise motionless form did grant him an air of sinister ominous ness. He adjusted the drape of his Archmagi robes and the Coldwarg fur mantle as he took another sip from his tea.

Azjah asked him what kinds of spells made use of the constellations. ?Many make use of constellations. Spells, rituals, rites, incantations. It all depends on the art. The constellations are merely an element in the grand scheme of things.?

She gave a light laugh, ?A pretty way of telling me to mind my own affairs??

He sipped his tea, ?Tis a long process to explain, and takes longer to grasp. Let us say, the constellations are merely a catalyst for the working and shaping of the intangible energies in the fabric of one reality to the next. One can tear it, cut it, bend it, fold it, or otherwise manipulate each layer of fabric on itself, given the right formulae, concentration, source of power, and a study focus ot channel and control all these things.?

Azjah regarded him closely, ?Why, if I may, is your sorcery not appreciated here??

He gave a dismissive gesture with his hand, ?People fear what they do nae know. What they donnae know, they have no way to understand. Hence, what people donnae understand, they would rather destroy, or ignore. However, it seems many find this? magery? unsettling enough to rise above their attempt at veiling it from their conscious mind.?

Azjah?s steady blue gaze studied the mage, ?I should think given the magic users in this town, you would be among friends and colleagues.?

?It touches?? He made a gesture in the air with his off hand, his fingers poised and skillfully undulating into something that looked like the hand striking the chords of an imaginary lute. A zephyr whipped up behind Azjah, like a sylph, following the direction of his fingers as if it were a wand, ?the minds of even those without any great sense of magical knowing.?

Azjah canted her head at the mage as the zephyr came into being behind her. Something in his touch was dark and troubling and she knew it was time for her to leave.

?Their magic is disdainful,? he sneered slightly as the metaphorical viper coiled within him, manifesting vividly in his features in the flash of an instant. He raked his hand through his hair, his features composed and controlled once more, as though the rake of sharp black talons across his scalp had helped contain some unseen demon within.

?So you are no native of this area?? She slid her reference book into her valise and finished her tea quickly before pulling her jacket on in preparation for her return to the Palazzo.

His laughter split into three distinct tones, all of them lilting, all very different, as if the sounds of three voices issued forth from his mouth. Three narrow tongues undulated behind two rows of pearly white teeth, where his eye teeth were not a set, but a pair of sets, with the inner ones slightly distended, and the outer set just beside were even more so. Monstrous was the word the image evoked.

Azjah blinked at what she thought she saw briefly before picking up the valise and making her way down the stairs. ?I must bid you a good evening Mage, and I thank you for the elucidation.?

His smile was smooth now, ?Oh, nae, I hail naught from parts near or far from this place. More distant.? Came his quixotic reply as she descended the stairs. ?Fare thee well, and good hunting for those desert crystals.?

Azjah stopped dead in her tracks as she slowly turned to look directly at him, ?thank you,? she told him as she regained her composure and pulled the door open with the jangle of the door?s bells.

He chuckled as she departed, amused at her reaction to things he took for granted. Weaving his hands through the air, he whispered the ancient words that cause the bone lock to reform itself over the lip of the book, binding its pages sealed with a wan flare of mage-light thereafter. He then rose from his seat, depositing coin for the cup of tea before he strode toward the door himself, exiting the teahouse into the mid-winter evening.

It happened without sound nor sign. Those sensitive to the arcane may feel a shiver run along their spine or the hairs on the arms stand on end. Perhaps it will be more than a sudden flash of color in the far corner of their eye, too fast to consciously notice, too ethereal to focus upon. But none the less it presaged Kairee?s entrance in time immeasurable by natural means.

Through the rocky wall from deep within the mountain, she strode, aglow in gossamer blue bright like the sapphires found deep within this earthy mount. Kairee?s high heels made nary a sound as she stepped onto the gravely foot of this cave mouth. She paused a moment to run her hands over her hips, smoothing down her short fitted dress. The turquoise color set off her fair luminescent skin and her fiery red hair.

Stepping with her through the wall of stone and also under the effect of Kairee?s spell that allows such travel, is a muscular man, at least six inches taller than Kairee?s six foot height and a good three inches tall that she is in her heels. His eyes a deep, nearly black, brown and his head bald. At his side her wore a scimitar sized appropriately for his bulk.

?Come along, Dorin.? Kairee?s voice cut through the silence as she glanced back at the wall.

Kairee?s emerald eyes turned fall up Azjah, ?Did I keep you waiting, babes?? she idly asked the other woman as her gaze danced over Gabriel.

It wasn?t long before a grumbling voice was heard, ?I have not the long legs ye do!? On the heels of that declaration, the speaker stepped through the rock. As the other man was taller, this one is short by at least a third, if not more so. His beard long and blond like his locks that fell from under a simple steel cap lined in read. His clothing typical of the natives here at Rhydin, a brownish tunic and dark pants with leather boots. Around his barrel like body a tool belt of sorts hung complete with hammer, chisel and hand axe. His beady blue eyes critically considered Azjah and Gabriel and the magical glow encasing the three dissipated.

As she sat there enjoying the solitude of the canyon and its pristine lake, a Red Necked Grebe, one of the largest of the Grebe family, paddled toward a bed of cat tails. She had in tow six hatchlings. They appeared to be a week or so old, and they stuck as close to their mother as they could. She maintained a leisurely paddle that would build these chick?s muscles while they grew in their feathers and shed their down. These Grebes are not overly cautious and accounted for why they were the first birds Azjah saw as she settled in at the edge of the lake.

Several Northern Fulmar circled over the lake before landing with soft splashes at the far side of the lake from where Azjah sat. They settled into a close knit group and began to forage for small fish. While at a quick glance these birds can be mistaken for gulls, their flight quickly distinguishes them from gulls. They have a fast, quick wing beat followed by stiff winged glides that allow them to wheel effortlessly along windy shores. These have flown a long distance to be here as they nest in the Bering Sea cliffs.

Silver arrows darted beneath the surface of the water as small schools of fish hunted for insect larvae and other tasty morsels. The birds greedily followed the fish, maintaining a balance in nature?s cycle of life.

Hidden in a thick patch of cat tails a Northern Gannet sat sunning itself. It had one leg pulled up and balanced on one leg with its eyes closed. It was the picture of contented satisfaction. This bird is one of the largest seabirds of the Northern seas. It will dive into the water in pursuit of fish. It has a spear-like bill and a spiky tail, so it looks pointed at both ends.

Just on the edge of the weeds stood a Least Bittern. It blended into the weeds so beautifully that Azjah wasn?t certain she?d seen it until it moved again. The Least Bittern is one of the smallest Herons in the world. It climbs around in the weeds and cat tails rather than wading. It?s small, thin body is perfectly adapted for life amidst the dense vegetation at the edge of the lake.

Paddling in for a closer look at Azjah came a King Eider. This gorgeous duck is adapted for arctic waters where it dives and swims underwater in search of fish. They will collect on ice flows, preen their feathers and assure their down is dry before launching off the ice and into the water once more to hunt. Their grey heads, white breasts and coal black wings and back are set off with a patch of orange just above a tangerine bill. They are truly one of the prettiest ducks Azjah had ever seen.

The old cottonwood tree that shaded Azjah had on branch that hung low over the water, and perched there sat a Ringed Kingfisher. It usually hunted from higher branches, but the visibility was so good in this pool that it sat close to the water as it searched for fish, small snakes along the edge of the water, and the occasional frog. The vibrant blue chest and wings were segregated from the blue head by a wide white band around its throat. As it watched the Marchioness, it raised its blue crest before giving her its unique ?tchack tchack? call and dove into the water after a rather large fish.

Azjah slid behind the wheel of the sleek Mc Laren once more and turned the car toward the city. She decided to stop in at the little shop that she?d grown to like called Tea?s n Tomes. They hadn?t eaten since early morning, and her stomach grumbled at being ignored for so many hours. Azjah parked the car and walked through the door to the cheerful chiming of the bell. She glanced around and saw only two women, who looked vaguely familiar, and a male whom she did not know at all. Azjah headed for the counter and smiled at the girl wearing a white apron as she decorated a small cake. Azjah requested a cup of tangerine tea and an ?clair before sliding several platinum coins across the counter to her. She picked up the plate and tea and headed up the stairs to her favorite chair near the balcony railing.

Lydia?s pale blue eyes drifted from the counter toward Azjah, and she offered her a friendly smile as she too seemed to think Azjah looked familiar, but she couldn?t quite place from where. Then she turned once more to the other woman and man as their private conversation continued.

Erin also watched Azjah head up to the balcony and then at the male, ?I?m not sure. I think she has a thing for Jake, though. She looks at him in a way I don?t much appreciate,? she whispered to Erin.

Jake glanced at Erin, ?Hey guys, I hate to dash and all.? He made his farewells and made for the door.

Azjah gave Lydia a quick wave as she settled into the comfortable chair and took a long, appreciative sip of her tea as she opened her book.

Lydia smiled at Erin, ?Well, it?d be good to see you around here again. I?ve been spending a lot of time there myself lately.?

Ering laughed, ?Yeah? Make any unsavory friends??

Lydia grinned like a Cheshire cat, ?Aside from G? Not really. There are some pretty nice people around there though.?

Erin smiled and shook her head, ?Nevermind.? Then she looked up again at the balcony, squinting a little to see who was up there, if anyone besides the blond who?d entered earlier. Azjah was the only one up there, and she was reading her book with a cup of steaming tea sitting on the table near her left hand.

Lydia?s gaze followed Erin?s momentarily before she leaned closer, lowering her voice, but not so low that Azjah could not hear her, ?Do you know who she is? I?ve seen her around the Arena, I?m sure.?

Lydia mused, ?Well, the wards are good for those they work on at least.? Something in Lydia?s tone suggested that the wards may not work well for her.

Azjah took a bite of her ?clair, ?True enough. How long have you been dueling Lydia??

?Mmm? Ah, I think a couple of months now?? Lydia glanced at Erin, ?Started it regularly around January, yeah??

Erin nodded agreement, and Azjah smiled at Lydia, ?Rising in the ranks??

?Oh, no no,? She chuckled, ?Still way behind, I?ve been doing okay lately I suppose, but it?s not really making up for all the bad duels.? She pondered a moment, ?I think I?m probably at least five duels down or something. Probably more.?

Azjah chuckled, ?Sounds like me. I never do seem to get out of the basement.?

Erin smiled at both of them, ?It?s the end of the cycle. We all get to start clean.?

Azjah glanced at Erin, ?What about you??

She laughed, ?Oh, I?m hovering at Warlady. Every time I duel, I lose and lose it as well.?

Azjah?s brow rose fractionally, ?Congratulations on having made it that far.?

Erin smiled, ?Thank you. I?ve been dueling for a while now??

Lydia agreed, ?Yeah, I still think that?s gotta be really hard, to make it that far.?

?Agreed Lydia, I?m not certain I will ever get that far.? Azjah concurred.

Lydia grinned, ?I?m not counting on it either, so you?re not alone there.?

Azjah sipped her tea, ?You two have been friends for some time then??

Erin shook her head at their comments about making it to Warlady, ?Nothing great about it really. Unless you have your eyes on Overlord. Which I only want to make Nova get in a ring.? She snickered at that, then nodded at Azjah?s question about the two being friends, ?For here, yeah.?

Lydia?s brows lift just a touch, though she didn?t say anything further, but simply nodded in agreement with Erin?s words.

Azjah sipped her tea, ?There are Warlords with no aim further than enjoying being a Warlord. They have no aim to be a Baron or Overlord. I don?t believe I know Nova.? She commented as an aside to Erin.

Lydia shrugged, ?I don?t see any appeal in being a Baron or Overlord honestly.? But the comments about Nova brought a grin to her features, ?Nova?s the fast guy who?s always pawing after Erin. She?s not been around much lately, so neither has he, now that I think about it??

Azjah smiled at Erin, ?Ah, a beau??

Erin shook her head negatively as she laughed, ?No! He wishes. But, he?s not nearly good enough for me.? She snickered then as Azjah lifted a quizzical brow and asked if he was not her sort of gentleman. ?He?s great. I just have a guy that lets me keep chickens in the bedroom. Can?t compete with that.? She then winked at Lydia.

Azjah chuckled, ?Chickens in the bedroom? Dare I ask??

Lydia spoke simultaneously, ?should I ask why you WANT chickens in your bedroom??

Erin gave them both a shocked look, ?They were cold!? As if that comment explained everything.

Azjah blinked, ?cold chickens?? She was truly confused at that point.

Lydia smirked, ?So you take them into your bedroom to? warm them up??? The subtle innuendo was not truly subtle, especially as dryly as it came out. Azjah nearly choked on her tea.

The sun set over the desert and Azjah was finally forced to return to the car and Rhydin. The turn of events with Garry meant she'd have to go to Pyxis, and soon. As she drove in silence, she pondered Kairee's words, about leaving her people here as part of the team to oversee the extraction of the sapphires. Perhaps it was a better notion than she'd first thought. Although she remained somewhat concerned over this turn of events.

"Gabriel? Please leave a message at the Temple of the Divine Nexus for Kairee. Advise her that I'm making an unscheduled trip first to Enceladus, and then to Pyxis. There is a Gem Singer arriving from Auriga, Bryce, and he will need to be shown the site. Ask her if her people can arrange to meet him and show him around?"

The arrived in RhyDin late, and Azjah left the Mc Laren with Gabriel as she entered the offices of Drachen Walde Industries. Hopefully the missive would reach Kairee before she flew out. She worked for several hours getting documents in order. Garry was not looking promising as a site leader. He was able and capable as a worker, but perhaps site manager was too big a jump too fast. She?d have to consider that aspect.

Kairee glanced from tome she was reading while lounging on her sofa, to the offering table. The ripple of magic as a missive appeared where gifts are normally transported. Closing the Observations regarding Ley Line Disruptions during Periods of Catastrophic Physical Turmoil and setting the dense tome on the glass topped table arranged in front of her sofa, Kairee first stretched in place; arching her back, stretching her arms. Reaching as if her arms could reach the Offering Table across the room from her, the tri-folded missive appeared in her hand.

Emerald eyes swept through the ?Memorandum?, as it was so titled, from sullen Gabriel, Azjah?s pet. She yawned as she rolled her eyes. ~So tiresome. I should engage a secretary.~

Without leaving the comfort of her cushioned couch, words, as if written by a pen, in a fine and elegant hand, appeared along the top of the ?memorandum.?

Master Thorfin, Contact Dorin, son of Hallmar, and inform him he?s my new Mine Master and tell him he has a Gem Singer being delivered to him.
-Kairee

With that the boring bit of paper shimmers away from her hands and she turned her thoughts to sullen Gabriel. A wicked grin grew across her ruby lips.

Wherever Gabriel happens to be, regardless as to how busy he is or what he is doing, he cannot escape the pinch to his bottom and the words caressing his ear, ?Master Dorin, son of Hallmar, is Mine Master, Sweetcheeks, he can deal with the little details. He has more use for a Gem Singer than I.?

A soft teasing chuckle and the sense of her is gone.

Gabriel had left the Temple and returned to Drachen Walde for the Marchioness. As he entered the sealed building, he was ?accosted? by the unknown pinch and the voice of the woman he?d been introduced to as Kairee. A low snarl slithered into the air as the whispered voice faded. ?And precisely where do I find this Master Dorin, son of Hallmar?? He gave a feral curl of his lips at being called ?sweetcheeks? but materialized inside Azjah?s office.

?Your message has been delivered, received, and replied to from your ?partner? in this. She advises that this message should be delivered to Dorin, son of Hallmar. Unfortunately, she does not say just where to locate Dorin. Shall I see if that dwarven curmudgeon remains at the site??

Azjah glanced away from her computer screen, nodding to his query before shutting down the system and rising.

He waited for her to finish her last minute messages for Charlotte before they departed and headed for the Palazzo. After dropping Azjah, the Carpathian vanished from the visible spectrum before returning to the Temple. Perhaps a bit of a surprise of his own was now in order.

?Master Dorin?? Gabriels black velvet voice rang out and carried down the mine?s main shaft. The Carpathian moved with the stealth and silence of a great cat as he followed the sound of the dwarven mutterings.

Though it seemed like forever, and accompanied by the grumble of muttered invective, Gabriel was soon met by the lumbering Dwarf. Already his jerkin carried the dirt of the mountain upon it as did his ruddy cheeks and beard.

He paused at the sight of Gabriel, having seen him all too clearly in the limited lighting in this part of the shaft; a hand pick in hand ready to be ?weponized.?

?Oh, it be you.? Master Dorin huffed as he slipped the hand pick into its loop on his belt, ?Gabriel is it not?? Rich earth brown eyes did not flinch in the considering of the man, ?My men will be arriving come three days hence. Tis best to have the catering all arranged for their welcome. Though a nosh would be welcome by me now.?

Gabriel?s brow rose a fraction, ?You have been made aware of the arrival of the Gem Singer and the mineralogist?? He paused, ?How many men are you bringing? Do we have them cleared for arrival? And precisely what is ?nosh???

The dwarf was clearly not intimidated by Gabriel and the Carpathian was a bit surprised by that, but given what he was learning about dwarves, perhaps it fit better than it seemed at first glance.

?Food is to be delivered thrice daily for 9 Master Dorin.? The notion of foodstuffs reminded Gabriel that he too was hungry and would need to feed, and soon.

Kai gave a wink to Darkmere, ?What do you have in mind??

Lord Alcar lifted his glass toward Azjah, and then gave Kairee a nod before he resumed watching the commons with a thoroughly bored expression.

?Your skills work on humanoids as well as dwarves, do they not?? Azjah asked Kai, knowing full well the answer, but trying to make her point unequivocally. ?Good evening Lord Alcar.?

?Evening,? He replied before sipping more of his wine.

Kai laughed merrily, ?Babes! You must be joking!!?

Azjah sipped her scotch with an impish smile at Kairee, ?Oath bond my people. Make it an even playing field.?

Lord Alcar murmured rather casually into his glass of wine, ?Best way to gain a person?s trust is to treat them as your equal.?

Kai gave a throaty chuckle, ?I can do that.?

Azjah smiled like a cat with the canary, ?Problem solved.? Then she glanced at Lord Alcar and his mumbled words.

Kairee smiled radiantly at Darkmere, ?The issue, cute Darkmere is that Azjah?s boys don?t trust mine. Oath binding them to me, solves the problem.?

Azjah glanced at Darkmere, ?Makes them all one team that way.?

Lord Alcar shrugged hearing Kairee, ?My people would react the same way.?

Kai tsked him, ?So distrusting, Darkmere.? Then she gave Azjah a wink, ?Excellent point.?

Lord Alcar gave her a faint smirk before taking another sip of his wine.

With that issue resolved, Azjah glanced again at Kairee, ?What precautions have the dwarves taken against ?ghosts???

?Their shamans have performed rituals and set up wardings, we will see the results.? Kairee stated confidently. When Azjah wondered if there was a tie to the ancient runes that had been found earlier, Kairee nodded, ?Yes, I do. They seem to be containment runes; some of the work broke the warding.?

Azjah lifted a brow, ?containment of?..? Any idea what they once ?contained??? Somehow that notion troubled her. If something or someone had been ?contained? in the mine, it certainly wasn?t something she wanted running around in the blackness now.

Kai shrugged, ?Don?t know, perhaps the ghosts, or, it could be something else.?

That sent a ripple of unease down her spine, the way Kairee had said, ?something else?. ?Are the shaman remaining onsite? Or should we hire back up??

Kai took a sip of her champagne, ?They are onsite and are expert in the wide range of ?mine creatures?.?

That made her feel a little better, the dwarves have surely run into all manner of subterranean creatures before now. ?Alright.? She finished up the glass of scotch, ?I will not have time to return before departing Kairee; but you know how to reach me if needed.?

About then, Elessaria strolled out from the kitchen, and headed behind the bar where she snagged a clean apron from her cubby hole. She waived and pulled on the apron, ?Evening everyone.?

Kairee added, ?They know to call me if they think it is something beyond their capabilities.? She had great faith in her team.

Azjah knew Kai?s team was good, that wasn?t the worry, ?I know things are in very capable hands. I?ll leave word that everyone on my team should expect to partake of the same oath bonding as your team has done, that should make things more even keeled.?

?Azjah, you must understand that the Dwarves are a very sensitive and emotional people, they do not like to have their competence challenged, especially as it comes to their specialties.? Kai admonished.

Azjah rose then, ?None of us do Kai, none of us do.? She smiled, ?Good evening Eless.? Then gave a nod of greeting to Tara.

Eless smiled warmly, ?Good evening Azjah, Kairee.?

Kairee blew Azjah a kiss, ?Later babes. By the way, you are behind on your gift giving, I?ve not received even a token from your master.? She gave Azjah a teasing smile, ?You are his ambassador here, are you not??

Azjah canted her head at Kairee, taking a moment for her words to register, then she winked at Kairee, ?I shall remind him as soon as I may.?

The wards came down and Gabriel shifted into mist, making for the mines. He would bury himself deeply in those tunnels. The darkness pressed close around him, and he had nearly done the unthinkable.

Time in the bottom of the mine, there he would have solitude and silence.

His time was near. He could feel it.