Viola Paember's Story

[Edit: We all start in whatever city we currently reside and then once we each find a shard (I will find the first so you know how it works) it'll bring us together]

She sat up with a jolt, drenched in sweat, but cloaked in dusty sunlight streaming down from the windows. She rubbed her hands down her face in exhaustion. "That was crazy..." She could still see the princess's terrified eyes and that word echoed in her ears. Liberat What in all of Khadian did that word even mean? She looked around her "room" in the warehouse, mostly empty save for her "bed", a basin of water she changed everyday, and a wooden crate she used to hold her things that she often doubled as a table. There was a throbbing at her core, an ache of something missing. She went about her morning routine: washing up in the basin, nibbling some cheese and bread, and lacing her boots. She took a deep breath and made her way to the exit, wrapping her cloak about her shoulders as she went.

She was in a less populated area of the capital city of Marzcar, but there were enough people wandering the streets that she didn't look too out of place. There were men dressed in fine clothes traveling to take stock of their shipments at the nearby ports, beggers who wandered from door to door to beg for scraps, and men moving quickly to make it to work at the piers on time. The beggars always made her chest ache. If she had anything to spare, she would but she did enough for her own survival as it was. Besides, not all were the beggars they seemed. Some were the sons of rich traders who only begged to see what they could get from the citizens. She knew this because she trailed a young man one day, filthy as the day was long with shaggy hair and a patchy cloak, and saw him get into the most posh carriage she had ever seen. He laughed and began to tell the other man in the carriage of his findings.

It was market day. The best day for her to collect her goods. So many people all in one place was the perfect time for some pickpocketing and table swipes. She had to be careful what she took though. Sometimes her shadows could show her which items were enchanted to prevent theft, but some spells were more powerful than others. She moved through the crowd, slippery as a drop of mercury, and grabbed whatever she could. A gold ring, a sack of spare coppers, and even a diamond bracelet. There must've been something special going on today for the nobles to be so careless.

She stacked them into one of the many hidden pockets of her cloak and continued on her way to work. She could see the wooden sign that read "Spinning Stitches" and moved a little quicker. Mrs. Adelaide would be quite cross if she was late.

With a final stitch on the dress she had spent the day working on, Viola took a step back and stared at her work. She blinked twice, hoping that she was seeing things, but the image remained. She swore she had been working on something completely different all day. What sat before her was a mystery to her even though she had made it with her own hands. It was a gown of the purest white with an empire waist and short sleeves. All along the skirt and at a few places on the bodice were deep red stitches. It was the princess's dress. Though a cheaper rendition of it.

She heard soft steps pause behind her. "Not bad, Violetta," Adelaide said in awe, "Not bad at all." She went over to assess the work. "Your work has paid off." Viola had no response for it. Instead she grabbed the broom and began the final duties of her day. "We can display it tomorrow if you would like, Violetta," Adelaide offered, using Viola's petname to show her pride.

"It's your shop, Adelaide. Do as you like." Viola replied softly. She closed up the curtains and took down the window displays before requesting to take her leave. Adelaide had moved on to her own project and didn't look from her work. "The shop is closed for the solstice tomorrow and through the weeks end. You remember, yes?" "Yes, Adelaide. I remember." She finally looked up from her work, worry in her eyes. "You'll be fine on your own? Christopher and I would be happy to have you."

Viola laughed and turned to leave her mistress behind. "I always am."

The air was warm outside as the sun began its descent. Viola took a moment to bask in the warmth before setting off towards her home. As she neared the market, she noted that the crowds were thinning as the table masters closed up shop. She felt terribly exposed here with so many people and moved to the shadows. She flicked her hand, willing the shadows to fall over her and hide her from prying eyes, but nothing happened. She tried again. Nothing. Her magic wasn't working. Her heart began to race in her chest and she made to move quickly through the streets. As she passed by the tables, she felt something move through her, leaving a tingling sensation behind. If she was superstitious she would've believed it to be a ghost. She did, however, hear a humming. She followed the sound and came to a table covered with shimmering and brightly polished stones. One stone in particular caught her eye. It seemed to be composed of all color, but no color all at one and she could swear it was glowing.

"How much for that stone there?" she asked the table master, eyes glued to the stone.

"Nothing you have in your pocket, urchin. Be off."

If she hadn't been distracted, she would've been insulted even though they weren't wrong. She finally pulled her eyes from the stone and met those of the old crone who mastered the table. The corners of her lips rose in a smirk. She pulled her cloak around her and reached into one of the hidden pockets there, her other hand reached for the stone. "You'd be surprised what I have in my pockets, old hag." She pulled out a silver bangle she had snatched that morning, a purple stone hanging from the band. The old woman cried out in outrage and Viola flinched. Wrong choice.

The woman's hand shot out faster than Viola had expected and grabbed onto her arm, long yellow nails breaking skin. "That's my granddaughter's birthday present you thief, I will have a finger for your crime!" She pulled out a long, crooked blade and began to position Viola's hand for a blow.

Beneath her cloak, her hand groped for the stone and when they connected, fire ran up her arm, but she found she couldn't drop the stone. She cried out as the woman's hands released her and she fell back into the sand. The sand?

She opened her eyes, not realizing she had shut them in the first place. It had felt like a blink that had lasted longer than it should have. She was not in the market anymore. The silver bangle was still clutched in her hand, but looming over her was a tall stone tower with glittering glass windows high above. Beneath her was sand the color of amber and warm to the touch. Other than the tower, it seemed there was nothing else for miles, save cacti and rocks. She had heard of sands like this to the south west in Marsden, but how could she have traveled here if she had been by the coast in Donnelly only moments ago. She glanced down at the stone in her hand, now the orange red of fire. Magic. It was magic.

Could this really be a piece of the Everstone? Had the dream last night... been real?

It was a day like any other. Clive woke up at first light and was rushed by his servant to get to training. After the morning's sword training he would then be forced take etiquette classes followed by political and finally economical. He had weapons training every day then he would always have at least two different classes depending on who was tutoring him. there were a few tutors he liked and more then a few he hated, but they all did their job well so he knew he shouldn't complain. After his afternoon classes were over, he met up with his brother for some one on one mock battles. Clive's brother was a bit over five years younger then him, so he would hold back as much as possible just shy of letting him win. His brother was getting better every day and would soon surpass Clive if he wasn't careful. Both brothers were gifted with the same magic, which wasn't very common. It did however make it much easier to teach the young Adavahr tips and skills that would help him get better.

After about an hour of fighting, with short breaks in between, Clive said his goodbye's to his little brother and went to go meet up with a patrol that was about to go into town. It was his favorite group of guards that always seemed eager to help out and keep the peace so he often accompanied them when they went out. He was just turning the last corner before he could see the door to their regular meeting area when one of the guards came running in through the hall behind him. He stopped just short of the prince before attempting to talk while out of breath.

" Cave-in,"
'wheeze'
" People in trouble,"
'pause'
"They need,"
'cough'
"Help,"

"Where?" the prince said.

" North east of town, Findler's mine." He barely got out.

"Good job!" The prince said as he turned to run towards the exit.

As he passed his room he grabbed his sword which he always kept by the door. The mines in Terrowen were dreadful at times but mostly always safe. The only thing that generally caused cave ins were bandits doing something they weren't supposed to. He put his sword around his waist and left the castle. As he ran through the guard post people looked, but didn't really bat an eye. They all knew Clive and they expected this sort of behavior. He was always running here or there, trying to save someone or catch the local sweets shop before it closed. As he passed the two guards he was going to see earlier, he pointed to both of them and told them to come with him. They all ran to the mine which wasn't far outside of town. When they arrived they could see how bad it was. The front of the mine was completely caved in and there were a few injured people about. He asked the first man if there was anyone else inside, to which he replied only one. Clive looked at the two guards and pointed at the injured people. They knew exactly what to do. They began to bandage the wounded and get them further away from the entrance so the prince could do his work. As soon as the guards removed the two miners from his path he began to dig deep, focusing on the flow of magic inside himself. He felt it as he began to move the rocks from his path. He could sense around him which rocks could move and not make the cave in worse and which ones would do just that. He stuck to the safe rocks and moved them one at a time. Used to this, One of the guards grabbed a large peace of wood and walked over to where the prince was working. With Clive's go ahead, he wedged in the wood to keep the rocks where they stood. The prince then instructed the other to get stretchers as he turned to look at the cave. The man wasn't going to save himself, he thought and made his move. As he entered the cave he saw an unlit torch on the wall. It must have went out in the cave-in. He took the flint and steel out of his bag, removed the torch from the wall and lit it. As the tinder flickered to a flame, he began to see the inside of the cave. It wasn't so bad on the inside, so he began his trek in to find the missing person.

It wasn't long until he found the man he was looking for screaming for help with his left leg stuck under a large boulder. It was too large to move for any one man, so the miner was lucky it was the prince there instead of someone without abilities. Clive once again reached inside himself and used everything he had to lift the rock. " Hurry and move, I can't do this for much longer," he said as he closed his eyes and focused. He felt his stomach tense and his muscles ache while he lifted the extremely heavy boulder. The man shimmied out from under the rock and moved towards Clive's side. Just as the miner was clear of the rock, Clive saw a vision. It was a bit fuzzy at first, all he could hear was a familiar voice. There was some kind of commotion in the background. His vision became clear and he could see a girl in a white dress. It was Arwen, covered in blood and talking about the everstone as well as somebody killing her parents and taking over the castle. The door broke down behind her and the prince could see who had caused the ruckus before she even said his name. Rodrick!

Liberat is the last word he heard before his senses began coming back to him. The prince was on the floor clutching his head. The miner was looking at him with concern. Apparently when he had the vision, he lost focus and dropped the rock. Luckily the miner had gotten out of the way in time and hadn't met an untimely end. Clive looked to the miner and let out a small chuckle. " I guess it was a bit much," he said as he lifted the miner up and draped his shoulder over the princes arm. He helped the miner out of the cave and into the waiting arms of the guards. They took him off down the road and back to town. He stood there for a moment deep in thought. " I hope that was just some kind of nightmare," he said as he used his powers to send a rock hurling into the sky. He began a slow walk back to town, remembering every vivid detail of the dream. Normally he wouldn't remember dreams he had and even if he did they would not be anywhere near this vivid. It was like he was actually there and seeing everything he saw just feet in front of him. As he was walking through the center of town, he notice it was about past time for the shops to begin shutting down. Had he really been out that long? It sure didn't feel that way, he thought to himself. As he passed the center of town, he saw a wishing well. It was pure white, with a large dragon spitting water into the main pool of water. He didn't normally believe in superstition, but maybe he should take this as an opportunity. He reached into his bag and grabbed out a silver coin. He didn't have any copper on him, but he really didn't want to waste a gold on superstition. He closed his eyes, made his wish and threw his coin into the well. After the initial splashing sound, he heard a dull thud and a hum. Confused, he looked into the wishing well. He saw some sort of clear item, maybe a crystal, laying in the bottom of the well. It looked like it was flowing back and forth in the water, almost as if it was connected to the water in the fountain. His curiosity was too great, so he reached in and tried to grab the crystal. On his first attempt he missed,. He looked at it again, made a slight adjustment and took hold of the crystal. The first thing he felt was cold. He saw the once clear object begin to radiate a blueish green light. His whole body seemed to be as cold as the water he had stuck his hand in. All he could see was his arm, but it wasn't it's normal, peach color. It was blue and flowing like his hand was made of water. Power like he had never felt before rushed through his body and he was sucked into the pool. At first he prepared himself. He held his breath and braced for his whole body to be wet, then he felt the sand. " Sand?" he said aloud as he let out the breath he forgot he was holding in. He grabbed a handful of the redish sand and let the grains run through his fingers. He quickly looked around. Not to far off from him he saw a large stone tower with glass windows. Clive looked down and breathed a sigh of relief. He still had his sword. At least if anything dangerous was out here he wouldn't just have to rely on his powers. Speaking of which, he thought as he put out his senses like he had done thousands of times to get a feel for the area. It didn't work. His first thought was maybe it didn't work on this kind of sand. It didn't make much sense, but it was the only thing he could think of for his magic not to work. He looked down at the crystal in his hand. Blue and shining like a jewel in the darkness, despite there being very little light. The prince took one more look around, seeing nothing on all sides except the tower. At the very edge of his view he saw a small orange light, somewhat similar to the blue light radiating off the crystal. He stood and brushed off the sand from his greaves. " I wonder what this is all about?" he said as he looked up at the stone tower.

A knocking sound echoed through out the small office, disturbing the meditations of the azure knight within. Somewhat displeased to have his thoughts disturbed the Knight Commander of the 3rd Lancers answered perhaps a tad sharper then he had intended.

" Enter " The one word spoken in a quick tone that betrayed it's speaker's annoyance.

The door, carved with yet more scenes of Hanivall history opened , it's weight designed to remind all who came through it of the burden of duty and honour. It revealed the plain amour of Sir Vezner with his black surcoat bereft of a house insignia since he was common born. Snapping to attention he saluted his Knight Commander.

" Sir Commander I've come to apologise for my lack of skill upon the ring field this afternoon. I will accept any punishment you deem worthy of the disgrace I've brought upon the Knight Lancers of 3rd Company." Vezner said his tone crisp and with nary a quiver at the thought of what sort of punishment a noble born Knight Commander might want to inflict on a low born farmer's son who made him look bad.

The sheer bravado of it impressed the man sitting behind the black oak desk, which he showed with a slight laugh. Getting up with a whisper from his ancestral azure armour the Knight Commander walked in slow deliberate steps towards Sir Vezner. Still standing at attention the farmers son awaited his proclamation of fate . Running a idle hand one of the tapestries he look towards the disgraced member of the 3rd Knight Lancers.

" It was only a game Sir Vezner, did your father beat you when you lost in your boyhood games?" The azure knight asked with a tone that could either be described as severe or mocking.

" No Sir Dalivn but I never made him.." Sir Vezner replied, his words trailing off at the end since he was unsure on how to exactly answer the question of his commander.

" Do you know who the central figure of this story is?" The azure knight asked his subordinate pointing with a gauntlet clad left hand at the tapestry to the left of the door.

" Sir Maivn of House Iver." The farmers son answered readily, it was a story all knew well enough.

" Yes Sir Maivn was like you low born, a son of an apple farmer to be exact. Despite this like you he also earned a Knighthood. And like you he showed absolute ignorance of the world he was now a part of. He had no idea on how to properly wear plate armour, couldn't use a lance to save his life, barely knew how to ride a horse, was hopeless at formal dinners, and he couldn't read or write. But he died a revered hero Sir Vezner, his tomb now a must go to on any Knight's pilgrimage. And he founded a noble house to boot. The House of Iver. " Sir Dalivn spoke, telling a summarized version of the great saga of Sir Maivn, his eyes roving over the tapestry that told of the great Knight's life story. His tone holding nothing but respect. " And before the end Sir Maivn knew more about fighting, formal etiquette, and magic then any since him. My point here Sir Vezner is don't try to fly before you can walk. Or I will really make you regret making me looking bad. Dismissed."

Sir Vezner saluted, spun around on his heels and with the sound of his plate armour clanking made his way from Sir Dalivn's sight. The azure knight for his part also left his office. Closing the door behind him his steps carried him to stair's landing at the far end of the hallway from the door. And going up with the whisper of steel clad footfalls the cool and sharp crisp of a spring breeze greeted him.

Here upon the roof top of the Eastern Tower was the shrine to Bahamut, rare mountain flowers kept alive only by the skill of the dedicated gardeners magic and skill framed the actual shrine and the pews set before it. Crafted of the purest platinum both pews and shrine glowed with the sheen of the valuable metal. Though his worship was particular to only those knight lancers who practised the element of air the pews were filled with nearly a dozen knights dotted in the ones and twos amongst the rows of pews. Walking up the shrine's kneeling post he knelt and lowered his head in prayer.

Winged Guardian whose code of honour ,justice , and duty I've followed all my life
Winged Guardian , I stand my watch, unceasing for that was the vow
Winged Guardian , I ask that you watch over her
Winged Guardian , I ask strength for the battles I must fight

As the words echoed in the silence of his prayer a all encompassing sound was heard in his inner mind. The sound of silver strung harps in golden frames, a warmth of a lover's kiss, the sense of awareness of everything. The touch of magic that all knights of Hanivall were familiar with. It was as familiar to the azure knight as his own heart beat, as the feel of her hands.

The warmth began to centre around his hands clasped in prayer. Opening them he found a stone,a plain enough looking thing but the azure knight knew powerful magic when he saw it. After all his own blood ran thick with it, ran in the veins of most the people of Hanivall in fact. But before he could do more then wonder the world shifted, the veil of reality temporary torn asunder by a magnitude of magic that overwhelmed the senses of the praying knight.

Replaced were the tranquil and serene settings of the Shrine of Bahamut. The heat of a desert breeze blew past him, the dryness of sand crunched underfoot. And all around him was nothing but endless sand dunes, dotted here and there with the hardy vegetation of such places. Nothing interesting to see there but before him was something impossible to miss.

Reaching to the heavens as if to piece the sky with it's cold stone construction the windows glittered with the harsh sun pouring through their panes. It was built in a manner not at all familiar to the educated knight. Every stone laid in a fashion he had never seen before. The whole thing reeked of magic beyond reckoning , of a power that surpassed a mere mortal like him. Deciding that since no door was set before him and that the mystery of the thing was worth the risk he made the choice to jump. The lowest windows were well within his jump height.

Reaching within himself as he had done countless times before Dalivn began to gather the element of air around him. Only to find out that the elemental force he had mastered as a boy no longer answered his beck and call. Shocked that such a thing could happen he tried again..and again..and again. Each time the same failure. Throwing up his hands in exasperation he was made aware of the stone he still held.

Looking down at it's plain appearance was gone, replaced by a softly glowing green light. A emerald without depth it seemed, the raw sense of power it emanated seemed even more powerful.

" Now whatever could you be?"

She shook her head sharply, forcing herself to focus. Viola pushed the bangle over her hand to where it would dangle on her wrist until she figured out what to do with it, and stood. Sand fell from her clothes, but as she attempted to brush the rest off, she gave up. It was never ending! It didn't help that her own hands were covered in sand. With a frustrated grunt, she threw her hands in the air and decided to walk around the tower, looking for an opening. She trailed her fingers along the stone, looking for a possible hidden door and felt a very faint tingling sensation. There was once magic here, but because of the Everstone, it's disappeared. She looked up towards the windows and imagined the view she'd see. Probably nothing but sand, but it was high enough you had to be able to see something. Right?

She continued her walk, admiring the blue of the sky and the sparkling amber of the stones. They almost looked as if they had been crafted by the sands of the desert. As she came around one side, she saw a boy. He was tall and dressed in fine clothes and, she noticed, as handsome as the day was long. When she had noticed another presence she had stopped. Now she realized she had been staring. She contemplated backing away to find the door on her own, but more than one pair of eyes would be ever useful. She opened her mouth to speak but shut it. What if he thought she was some stalker? Or something stupid. Who else would be in a dessert. She doubted he'd believe her if she said a magic stone teleported her.

With another sharp shake of he head, she took a step towards him. Viola allowed her hand to fall from the stone bricks and she immediately missed their guiding warmth. "Um. Hello." She said softly, as if trying to sooth a rabid animal. "What brings you out here?"


((sorry it's so short. But since I'm opening communication between characters, I need to give a chance to respond right?))

Clive was impressed at the sheer size of the tower before him. He took a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship. The structure was as tall as any other building he had ever seen, with sparkling glass windows and an almost ominous look about it. When he walked up close to the tower he could feel the same hum as he felt when he grabbed the crystal in the water. There was once powerful magic in the tower. He felt like something or someone was watching him, so he quickly looked around again. The first thing he saw was a emerald green light coming from the opposite direction of the blood orange color he saw earlier. He squinted his eyes and could see a beast of a man in the distance. The man looked tall and was wearing full armor, which could be pretty bad for the prince, considering he left most of his armor at home. He felt stupid now not going out fully decked out, but how was he supposed to know he would be transported to ... Where was he again? He was only armored from the waist down. He didn't wear his chestplate or guantlets, instead he wore some of his finer clothes as well as the necklace his father gave him that proved he was an Adavahr. He tucked the necklace securely under his shirt, not wanting to show his cards before he even began playing the game. If this knight was hostile towards Terrowen he would be in some deep trouble if he let slip that he was the 1st prince. He resolved to himself not to let it slip. If anyone asked who he was he would tell them his name, but leave out the facts that might cause trouble. Just as he was about to cautiously head toward the large, armored individual he heard a light sound from the opposite direction. He almost jumped! Now was really not a good time for his powers to not work. Blasted sand he thought to himself. He slowly turned his head, luckily not showing the signs of surprise he had felt from the entrance of the stranger.

It was a young woman no older then eighteen, with long dark hair and two different colored eyes. One blue and the other brown. That's interesting, Clive thought to himself. He quickly looked her over, deciding if she was a threat. The young woman was a half foot shorter then him. She wore simple, dark clothing along with a somewhat worn cloak. Her boots seemed decently well used and he could see a slight hint of a dagger coming from the back of her left boot. He didn't show any signs of seeing it, but if she went for it he would be sure to be ready. She spoke up again, this time he could hear what she was saying but just barely. "What brings you out here?" she said softly as if not to scare him. Little late for that he thought, but he just smiled and thought about how much to tell this stranger. "Just enjoying the view," He said somewhat sincerely. " Actually, I have no idea how I got here."He decided to just be honest. Maybe the girl could help him, maybe she was the one that brought him here and she was just being sarcastic with her question. " one second I was throwing a coin in a wishing well, the next I'm here. It has to have something to do with this crystal." He said as he showed her the glowing shard in his hand. "Do you know where we are?" He asked, hoping to alleviate some of his confusion.

She stepped closer to the boy and saw, further down, a light green flash before a large man appeared suddenly. She looked down at her clenched hand that was holding the stone. She was beginning to put together the situation before them. She flipped her hair over her blue eye and stopped just short of him.

"Well I don't know anything about wells and coins," She said, her brown eye glittering with secrets. "But I know a thing or two about crystals. There's this old hag who sold stones at our city market and I happened to acquire one." She wasn't sure she could trust be boy before her so she totally left out the fact that she took it from the table. She waved her bangled wrist around as she spoke.

She held out her fisted hand palm up and revealed her red stone. "This is how I came to be here. I'm assuming it's the same for him." She jerked her chin to the large figure, trying to keep a brave face. Without needing a closer inspection she could tell that he was a knight. She wasn't sure if he was of Donnaly or one of the other kingdoms, but the presence of authority, one who would surely imprison her if he knew what she had done to survive, made her tense. "As it is for you. I'm also going to assume you have seen her and you know what we are to find."

Despite knowing the princess and some slight bit of insight of what goes on in Hanivall's castle, he didn't know much at all about the everstones. He heard Arwen speak of it in whisper once or twice, thinking he couldn't hear. It seemed to be somewhat of a secret so Clive knew it wasn't his place to pry. As for how they got to this desert oasis, they could guess but they could only theorize as of yet. One makes an isolated incident, two is a coincidence and three makes a theory. They would have to talk to the armored man if they wanted the answers they seek. " I assume you mean the vision of the princess of Hanivall?" He took another second to size up the young woman before him. He took another look at the knight and made a quick decision. "If our friend their has any intention of harming us I believe we should stick together, what do you think?" The prince asked, knowing if things went sour it would be a difficult fight for him without armor. Clive took a long look at the knight. He was indeed a large man and he had a full set of expensive looking blue armor. It looked to him that he spared no expense to protect himself and although the prince couldn't see from where they stood, he would be willing to bet the armor was well used. The way the Knight carried himself just radiated confidence and that would either be really good for them or really bad!. Either way they would have to speak with him to find out for sure what was going on although Clive expected this girl's assumptions were correct. Holding out his hand to the girl he said, " I'm Clive Advert, A noble from Terrowen and it's a pleasure to meet you!" Despite lying about his name, he tried to use every bit of knowledge he learned from etiquette classes. He hoped she looked well towards things like this, but maybe he could make an ally or two that could help him save Arwen, and for that anything was worth a shot.

Water splashed under Sonnassa's paws she trotted along the cobbled streets of Xayen as a sleek black cat. She watched comfortable from the sidelines at the people in the street as they busied about their day. Some ran through the rain, others brushed it off as nothing to bother about. It was a simple day for late morning.

Liberat

The word faded again through Sonnassa's mind. The vision of earlier still replayed in her mind as the power left her tingling. It was a vivid magic that pulled her conscious away earlier this morning. She couldn't remember all of the exact details that were spoken, but she did recall mention of a stone. A stone and a wish. Her cat lips curved as she thought about it further. What sort of wish would she want anyway? There was little she wanted in this world other than adventure. Her past made her who she is today, she would not change that even if she could.

As she sat people watching a group of nobles passed her by, the spoke of their riches.

"..I'm locking it up in my vault, with all the thefts happening recently I don't trust leaving such a valuable object to chance" one older man spoke to a younger gentleman.
"I agree, it's the right choice father. Have you heard the rumours of this mystery assailant? Why Jefferies lost his grandfathers ring only last week and he swears he only ever took it for a moment to bath. Yet somehow his handmaid swears she saw him leave with it on his hand before appearing again out of his bedroom as though he never left! The poor woman was in hysterics wailing about how she saw him leave. Of course, Jeffery put it down to stress and laid her off for a few weeks."
"That is a baffling conundrum. Poor fellow. We best hurry and get this somewhere safe" the older man patted his breast pocket.
"Yes Father" the younger one nodded and followed as they headed further up the street.

A cat like grin formed on Sonnassa's face as she listened and plodded along beside them. The curiosity to what they were so worried about keeping safe interested her. As they neared their front door she slipped into a smaller form. With a flash of white her fur shortened along with legs and body as it morphed into a mouse. Quickly she scurried through the door as they opened it stepping into their home.

"Alright, let's get this over with" the younger one spoke pulling off his jacket and hat placing them down on a nearby coat stand.
"Aye, lets" His father followed suit pulling out a purple velvet pouch with a pull string from his breast pocket.
They stumbled after one another down some creaky wooden stairs leading into what appeared to be a basement in the stone built house. Sonnassa' followed being careful on the steps now she was so small. She waited for the two fools to open a large stone doorway that lay in wait at the bottom before sneaking past them again.

As she entered the 'vault' inside she saw many different treasures. To the right of her were a stack of finely woven cloaks. Each one looked more valuable than the last, gold stitching embroidered into them beautifully. They were the work of superb craftsmanship. To her right she saw a table, it was a little too tall of a table for her to see what lay atop in her current form. However before the table were brown bags stacked full of gold, silver and copper. It was this families own private bank. She had landed herself in an interesting place indeed. Moving out of the way and hiding between those bags she waited as the two fools placed the velvet pouch onto the table before turning around and leaving. She heard them lock the door behind them but it worried her not. There were many ways to escape such a vault as this once inside.

Scurrying along the floor Sonnassa dug her claws into the wooden leg of the table they placed the pouch upon. Pulling herself up she scurried up the table leg her tail swinging along behind her as she reached the top. She got her first glance at the table, it was covered in various jewelry, gems, and diamonds. Running through the gems larger than her current body she eventually saw the purple velvet.

As she reached the pouch, however, something else caught her eye, a shimmer in the light. She paused for a moment her interest in the pouch wavering. Her attention captured Sonnassa' changed direction and ran towards a group of gems. Amongst the gems sat a stone, it was colourless, a crystal clear shine. Sonnassa could feel the power it emanated, it sang to her, it entranced her.

Just what was this stone?

Moving closer towards it, she sniffed it with her mouse's nose. The moment her nose touched the cold stone everything inside her skin prickled a scorching heat. She screamed in shock which came out as a mouse squeak but she could not remove herself from touching the stone despite how hard she pushed against it with her feet. Suddenly her skin began to bubble, her fur began to molt. Her body unnaturally fast morphed back into that of the black cats, then in grew and grew as she developed human features her hair a bright blonde and skin white. Her past transformations were morphing back into the previous one by one she changed into many different forms ripping apart her bones and changing her skin and species multiple times until finally she reached the last. Her true self.

With a scream, her heart beating heavily at the pain and confusion Sonnassa pushed her way from the stone only to fall onto heated sand. Her senses shook up she lay on the sand her olive skin and natural black hair falling down her shoulders. She breathed steadily taking in the sight around her as the stone lay in the sand some steps away. Lifting her hands up to her face Sonnassa looked upon her natural olive skin tone for the first time in many years. Fright-filled her as she realised she was no longer hidden under one of her disguises, and naked to top it off. She was a shapeshifter, not a clothes shifter. Clyde usually had her clothes to hand. Immediately she tried to change her form, but nothing happened. She tried again. The same result.

So her magic was useless in this place. Slowly she looked around herself.

Sand

Nothing but sand as far as the eye could see.

She knew only one place like this as the thought made her shudder. Marsden. Her birthplace. She didn't think she would be back here again for some time yet. Adjusting her gaze to the stone on the sand Sonnassa stood her skin hot under the sun. Carefully she picked it up a little unsure as to what may happen again. The stone lay in her hand as it glowed brightly, it was different than before. It was still a crystal clear stone however now clouded areas moved within the stone. The clouding swarmed inside the stone moving faster then slower, the pace ever changing.

Magic.

She should have known better than to touch it. Yet, she hadn't expected this to happen today. Placing her hands on her hips Sonnassa turned around. To her surprise she found to her back had stood an incredibly tall stone tower. Its glass windows glittered in the sunlight forcing Sonnassa to shield her eyes for a moment as it glared them. She definitely didn't know this place.

How exciting.

She felt a new feeling replace her previous anxiety to seeing her natural, true, appearance. It was the new adventure she had sensed was coming. Looking at the stone in her hand she remembered her dream. Perhaps, this was one of those stone's the girl had spoken about?

Taking another look around she spotted a burly fellow in the distance. His armour glistened in the sun like the glass of the tower, she saw him throw his hands above his head in frustration for some reason before staring at something in his hand. She looked at the stone in her own hand.

Maybe he had one too?

Looking further forward closer to the tower she spotted two figures. They were too far away for her to make out any details.

So, there were a few people gathered here.

She looked at herself again.

"not the best time to lose your power" she sighed. It was definitely going to be awkward meeting people naked like this. Her thoughts trailed back to the glamourous cloaks she has seen in the vaults only moments before. One of those would be pretty good right about now. She pulled her hand up to scratch her head.

"ugh blast it how I am supposed to get some clothes all the way out here?!" she cried out in frustration much like the knight she had seen.

Suddenly before her, a small patch of light flicked in the empty space in front of her. "hmm?" Sonnassa watched it curiously. Suddenly it sparked and out popped the very cloak she had been thinking of.

"what the..." she stared at it puzzled slowly picking it up. "how on earth... Did I?.." she raised an eyebrow not hesitating to wrap the cloak around her shoulders. Did she summon the cloak?

She then thought of her trusted leather trousers, a white blouse and her sturdy boots sitting at her home in Xayen. Again a light appeared in the space before her and out popped her trousers, blouse and a pair of boots.

"Interesting" she mused putting them on.

This was definitely going to be interesting she thought as her feet began to take her forward towards the tower before her.

(double post sorry)

Further and further Dalivn studied the stone, shifting the magical forces he felt through the awareness of his mage born blood. It's bottomless reaches of emerald light seemed an ocean of vitality, a whisper of power that could deny death. A hint of such things brought a sudden rush of bitterness to his mouth. A taste of iron, blood, and sorrow born of the lost he had felt so long ago it seemed. Here was power beyond anything the azure knight had ever seen and it was all for naught.

No matter the power of what this stone was a piece of it hadn't been enough. Now he held a shattered fragment of the whole and even that seemed a greater power then anything. But it wasn't enough, hadn't held up to the test put before it. It hadn't saved those that needed saving.

Like the day she had died and he had shown the true extent of what he was capable of . He had been a God of War that day, fighting with the fierceness of the azure dragon of his household's crest. He had waded through a river of blood and steel but it hadn't been enough. Power , what good was it if it didn't protect the things he cherished.

Is this the resolve of a Knight? A voice of thunder and storm born wind echoed in the recesses of his mind

No this is the resolve of a man who struggles to find meaning in a life, a failed knight is all I am Dalivn answered his words tinged with the desperation that made him heed the words of a dream of a princess he thought dead.

A Knight only fails when they won't rise again. The mighty voice replied, it's tone a stern reprimand

I know , it's why I keep rising but the longer I fight the longer the end seems. And now I've lost my gift, the abilities I was born with, the way I fight is who I am Dalivn responded, his anger rising as the voice questioned his courage.

Power is more then the Lance strike from on high, it is more then riding into the teeth of the enemy Sir Dalivn of House Blackwater. Not all battles are fought on the field of honour. To reach out your hand and help another. To heal their wounds and offer them comfort is as a great victory as taking the field. The voice spoke with a lecturing tone

I am a Knight Lancer, my way is that of Bahamut. I ride ahead of my brothers and sisters, my Lance the talon that strikes the enemy of what I cherish. I am the shield they hide behind, my sword the banisher of their fears. The Azure Knight snarled back at this disembodied voice. But what good is any of it? I've fought with every heartbeat and no closer am I to victory. And the costs have been more then I wanted to pay. My homeland is slowly being covered by darkness and the woman I loved is dead, her ashes scattered to a strong eastern wind.

You claim my worship, you swore your vows to me Sir Dalivn of House Blackwater. Do you know what that means? It means you are a Knight of my order. The Knights of Sky and Wind do not bend before the winds of fate but rather shape it. They fight with whatever weapons they need to. And you have been given the weapon that suits the battlefield coming upon you. Rise from your knees Sir Dalivn of House Blackwater, Knight Commander of the 3rd Lancers, First Lance of Hanivall , and Lord of the Silven Forest.

" Lord Bahamut.." Dalivn whispered, his voice full of awe that his patron would deign to speak to him.

Realising that he indeed had been kneeling, his eyes locked into the ever bottomless depths of the shard in his hands. And with the suddenness of a Lance's thrust he felt the power held within the stone course into his veins, awakening new avenues of magic and imprinting the knowledge of it's use into his mind. Though fragmented the knowledge was enough for the formally trained Mageborn Knight to know what he was now capable of.

Wrenching out the starcut sapphire that made up the pommel stone of his Estoc He replaced it with the softly glowing green shard. That done he began to truly take stock of his surroundings, other then the tower the only thing of note were the others around him. They too bore shards, and brimming with the same level of power he sensed from his own. Their colours blue, orange-red, and the last a clouded clearness.

The orange-red and blue were together, talking and nervously looking at him. Dalivn supposed in his armour, girt with weapons he did make a sight. But then he did a second take, the bearer of the blue shard was known to him. His face and bearing one familiar to him. It was the Crown Prince of Terrowen, the fiancé of the presumably dead Princess Arwen. But he lacked the heirloom necklace that marked him as a true born member of the royal family of Terrowen. It's enchantment all the proof any would need to give justice to the claim of royal blood. He did not know the game Prince Clive Adavahr was playing but in these times perhaps a touch of discretion was a good thing, as much as it chafed his sense of propriety.

Striding over to the Prince and his female companion he lifted the visor of his helmet, revealing the three parallel scars that run down the middle of his face. " Sir Dalivn of House Blackwater, Knight Commander of the 3rd Lancers, First Lance of Hanivall, and Lord of Silven Forest at your service ." The Azure knight said introducing himself with a deep and formal bow, his ancestral armour giving off a slight whispering noise as it did. " I suppose neither of you knows what is in over younder tower?" Dalivn asked straightening up from his bow.

Dalivn then gave the Prince of Terrowen a hard look then a slight nod towards the woman, she the bearer of the orange-red shard. It was a unvoiced query, as if to ask Prince Clive if the woman knew who he truly was. Of course those unskilled in courtly etiquette would simply think it a question of if the woman was with the Prince.

Before she could reply, the very knight they were speaking about began to head their way. He wasn't moving in an aggressive way, so Clive didn't go for his sword. As the knight stepped closer, the prince couldn't help but think the armor looked familiar. Once Clive saw the crest on the knight's armor, he knew immediately who he was. The knight was a very famous knight in Hanivall and there was no way he wouldn't recognize the prince. Clive didn't even know why he was keeping his identity a secret. It wouldn't be that big a problem if people knew, but being in the middle of nowhere with complete strangers without his armor, the prince felt nude. There were plenty of possibilities for bad things to happen, although much less so with Blackwater with them. Almost as if the azure knight could read the prince's mind, He lifted his helmet and showed his scarred face. The knight bowed and introduced himself as if Clive didn't know who he was and the prince almost couldn't help letting out a sigh of relief. Almost. Either Sir Dalivn didn't recognize him or he was alert enough to notice he was pretending to be someone else. " I suppose neither of you knows what is in over younder tower?" he said as he looked towards the tower. " Not yet," the prince said. " We were just discussing possibilities of how we arrived here as well as the vision. Would I be correct in assuming you were teleported here after touching some kind of crystal as well as seeing a vision of your princess ... covered in blood?" he said, already knowing the answer to the first question as he looked at the pommel of his weapon.

The knight gave Clive a hard look that confirmed everything the prince just thought about the knight. He did know exactly who Clive was but didn't say. He then slightly nodded towards the woman, which was a subtle hint that the prince could pick up. Clive quietly and subtly nodded no then spoke aloud. " I'm Clive Advert, a noble from Terrowen. I doubt you've heard of me, but it's nice to meet you Sir Dalivn!" He said with a slight bow. This women and I just met and we're just about to discuss how to attempt to enter this tower, do you have any ideas?" he said with a smile. That was when the prince noticed the other arrival. He couldn't see who it was very well, but they looked female. Whoever she was, her crystal color looked white or murky. He didn't know exactly how to describe the color, but she definitely had a crystal as well.

As the knight approached, Viola attempted to keep her chin up and her head high. She would not let him see her squirm. It would confirm her sins and she wouldn't--couldn't--be dragged away. Not when they were here for a reason. She straightened and curtsied the way she thought was expected in greeting. A nobleman and a knight...and a thief. The princess was calling upon some interesting folk, especially the woman coming up behind them who was dressed in clean clothing despite their fall into the desert sands. She thought of giving an alias, her master's petname for her perhaps, but in the end she decided with the truth. Even if they had heard of magic wielding orphan on the run in Donnaly causing trouble and stealing things, they were from Terrowen and Hanivall, two of the most powerful kingdoms. In fact, they probably each had a magic of their own and if the princess called upon them... "I am Viola from Donnally. I work as a seamstre-"

She was cut off by a soft quake beneath their feet and a rumbling coming from the wall. A patch of stone about the size of a doorway was sliding downwards, creating an entryway into the tower. Before anyone could step towards the opening, a tall slim figure dressed in brown robes stepped towards them. The large hood was pulled over the being's face, but from the stance and size of the figure, they were obviously female. Her hands were hidden beneath oversize sleeved and held together in front of her. "Welcome to the Glass Library, champions," she said in a lilting voice. "Please follow me. The arch-mage would like to speak with you."

She stepped back into the shadow of the tower's entrance, and turned to make her way further inside. With a shrug, Viola followed. They were here for a reason and they had been detected by the occupants. There was nothing for miles around so running would not be the best option. Besides, who could say the arch-mage was a bad guy.

They walked down dimly lit hallway that slowly brightened as they walked. They walked long enough to confused Viola's mental map she was preparing. The tower seemed so much smaller from the outside. They came, at last, to a stairway. A flight of spiral stairs went upwards towards the glass windows, and another set of stairs went downwards to gods knew where. She silently hoped they were taking the flight up. She wasn't sure how she felt about roaming underground in a desert.

The stairs were the same amber color as the stone the tower was built of, but polished and smooth. Each level was covered in a carpeting that changed color as they climbed and branched off into, what Viola assumed to be, libraries. When they reached the top, Viola staggered back in awe. They had climbed from the roots of a massive tree growing from the center of the large glass room. Stairs led to levels with glass floors holding bookcases filled with more books than she could ever read in her life, large comfortable looking chairs and tables that allowed a look out the window or reading in the bright sunlight, and even continued up into the leafy branches of the tree. Without waiting for them to catch up, their guide continued on, climbing the stairs to the leafy tree top. Viola rushed to follow her and as they climbed the glass stairs, she could feel her stomach churning in terror. Normally, she handled heights well, but when the only thing keeping you from falling is a thin piece of glass... oh she was sure she was going to vomit.

She moved slowly, willing herself to breathe and continue climbing. She was determined to keep herself from showing weakness, but here she was sure she was failing.

Sand slid under Sonnassa's feet as she walked towards the tower. It was an uncomfortable familiarity. She hadn't walked on the sand like this since she was a child, it unwillingly made her think of her parents, of the cruel poorly educated people they were which boiled a slight anger deep down in her chest. Taking a deep breath she smiled pushing the thought and feeling away. She did not like to remain bonded to the past, looking ahead in life was her resolve. She would not change her past, it made her who she is today and she rather liked her life at the moment.

Stepping forward the two figures at the tower slowly began to draw into view, The knight had reached them now as they gathered at the foot of the tower. One was a slim male, he looked pretty charming with that appearance of his. Definitely not a peasant with those unspoilt clothes. She had spent enough time around the poor to know it when she saw it compared to someone of riches. Beside him stood a young girl, she looked barely past her teens, probably was still a teenager. The quality of her clothing and posture suggested to Sonnassa that she probably wasn't from as rich a family as the young man was.
Getting a better look at the knight whom she witnessed expressing frustration before she could now see that he was a very tall man and leanly built. Three scars stretched across his face which told Sonnassa he was no stranger to battle.

As she neared the Tower and was about to greet them suddenly a rumbled echoed beneath their feet. Sonnassa spread her arms to keep balance as the ground shook. Suddenly a patch of stone at the base of the broke out of the formation and slid down toward the ground disappearing into the sand. Watching carefully Sonnassa assessed the figure that filled the doorway. A tall slim woman was dressed in brown robes, her face obscured by the hood of her robes and hands intertwined together at her chest, hidden beneath the robes sleeves.

"Welcome to the Glass Library, champions," she said in a lilting voice. "Please follow me. The arch-mage would like to speak with you." the figure spoke before stepping back into the shadows of the Tower's entrance.

A little taken back at the strange scenario Sonnassa held back a moment as the younger girl shrugged following blindly into the darkness of the entrance.

Leaning a hand on her hip Sonnassa looked up at the Tower "Well, this sure is turning out to be an unusual day" she grinned at the two remaining. "I suppose I should introduce myself before we make our first step in this strange place." she stood close to the entrance and had a look around inside. All she could see from her position was the hallway and the backs of the figure and the younger girl up ahead.

Standing back she turned to both of the two remaining. "My name is my secret, but most people call me Mistress Haze. Your welcome to use it" she grinned devilishly. Most people upon hearing her name try to arrest her, question her life choices or ask her to teach them her ways of thievery. Of course, it's just as much fun when she meets those who don't know of her reputation.

"I look forward to getting to know you better" she saluted them both before she could find out their reaction, good or bad to her name, and skipped into the darkness of the Tower.

Tucking her hands behind her back Sonnassa strolled some distance behind the cloaked figure and the young girl who followed so willingly. Taking her time Sonnassa took in every nook and cranny of detail within the walls she walked. From her experiences she had a habit of steaking out any possible escape routes in a new place. A survival technique.

The dimly lit hallway slowly brightened as they walked, Sonnassa noticed no spiders lived between the cracks of stone which were unnaturally odd to her. Trailing her hand along the walls as they furthered deeper into the tower Sonnassa secretly left a small trail of power along them. Its colour was hard to spot against the stone unless you knew what to look for. It was a substance she often used to plan escape routes. For this purpose, it was to keep track of the direction they came from should they need to find their way back.

Eventually, she found herself at a stairway, the young girl and the figure leading them were already walking up a flight of spiral stairs heading up towards the glass windows she had seen from a distance when arriving on the sands outside. Beside the flight up sat another set of stairs instead leading down to more darkness not as well lit as the current level she stood on.

Sonnassa paused for a moment, she wondered whether to make a detour down the stairs leading underground for a moment her curiosity sparked. However, she thought it through and decided she would investigate later, for now the adventure was wherever this cloaked woman was taking them.
Taking the first step Sonnassa continued to leave her faint powder trail as she followed them both up the stairs. She resisted stopping to explore the many levels they passed each unique with a colour scheme. Her glee grew as they reached further towards the top so she began to quicken her pace.

As she reached the end of the stairwell her feet froze in place in an instant. She looked upon a tree spiraling at the center of the room, its roots curling around the tower creating the very steps they had climbed. Glass floors hung above her, the bottoms of bookshelves visible to those below. Stacks of books laced each glass floor creating an endless library of paper and knowledge. Sonnassa noticed some seating areas had also been devised for comfortability. It was a magnificent open space, the center tree had floating glass stairs leading straight to the top, as she looked around she saw their guide and the young girl making their way up them. The guide glided up them, the girl slowly took her time carefully.

Sonnassa gulped.

She had never been a great fan of heights. There was a reason she didn't often shapeshifter into birds. Heights were not her forte.

"okay first challenge of the Tower." she spoke aloud more to herself than anyone else. "delightful" she half joked gulping.

"ugh!" She winced stepping on the first glass step. "okay you can do this" she tried to pump herself to go further forward but it was difficult to make her feet listen.

The Azure knight pondered the implications of the the Prince's answer, Dalivn knew that times were not what they had once been. That much of the old order had gone to rest in the depths of a scholar's history books. But this dodging and secrecy upon the part of a man once engaged to the Princess of his homeland sat ill with him. No doubt the Adavahr Prince had his reasons but the code of honesty and virtue he swore to the day he had been knighted held no place for deceptions. At the same time this secret was not his to bandy about with the abandon of a whore's kiss. The ways of Terrowen were not the ways of Hanivall after all and even Bahamut punished idle gossip and treachery.

Here in this desert wasteland speaking the truth amongst others who were unknowns to him might put the Prince in danger. After all the First Lance of Hanivall knew only Clive Adavahr's character, could only trust the actions of him alone. These other two might have been trusted by the daughter of the man whom owned Dalvin's loyalty but the Princess and indeed the royal family of Hanivall judgement had once before proven faulty. And putting the only known ally he had at the moment in possible danger was not something the Lord of the Silven Forest wished to do. Bereft as he were of the power he had wielded all his life.

So he only nodded a yes to the question of Clive Adavahr, going back to the studying of the tower. While magic was commonplace in Hanivall, indeed it suffused nearly every building and ran thick in the air it was not the power facing him now. This magic was immense in a way no words could do justice. And ancient beyond belief, and yet it echoed in bitter-sweet sorrow as if to mourn it's passing.

If this is the power it has as it dies...By the Gods the power it had in it's youth must have equalled the heavens themselves. Dalivn thought with a look of awe upon his face.

His meditations upon the currents of mana flowing from the tower were cut short though as the Azure Knight felt a subtle change in their composition. Earth and stone rose to the forefront , as did the willpower to make them answer to one's beck and call. A spell was being cast, magic being made to serve a purpose.

And that purpose revealed itself to be the opening of their tower. The small quake that accompanied the opening of this object that bound them here did not worry Dalivn overly much. The currents of Earth and Stone held no threat in their casting. And their questions would finally be answered hopefully. But the woman who appeared at the doorway held no answers it seemed, only more fuel for my questions. Though her features were obscured by the earthen coloured robe she wore the accent with which she spoke in seemed familiar to the Knight Commander. Regardless her only words were a summons into the place she called the Glass Library , her one titbit of information was the term she addressed them by champions.

Perhaps me and the Prince, but these other two..seem ill suited to the role of a champion. He mused with a slight frown at the thought of the other two being called here to serve the same purpose as him. The trembling mouse of a woman as he saw seemed to be about as suited to a life of battle as the Azure Knight was to the life of an assassin.

And taking in the impressions the other woman gave off as she walked up and introduced herself before following the mouse of a woman and their robed guide into the Glass Library only made him doubt the logic of the shards. She moved like a dancer and stank of greed and something else that did not sit right with the senses his mage born blood gave the Lord of the Silven Forest.

Deciding that standing out here was accomplishing nothing Dalivn followed his erstwhile companions as it were into the tower, being careful to place himself between the three woman in front and Prince Clive Adavahr. While he owed the next king of Terrowen nothing this was the man that once was loved by his princess. And that was good enough for him. And should the others prove hostile it was better his armoured and armed self was put before the Prince.

Still even with such practical considerations churning through his mind the First Lance of Hanivall could not but help admire the construction of this so called Glass Library. Though as their steps carried them higher into the tower he began to wonder at the name . Aside from the windows he had seen from outside precious little actual glass had been shown . That is until the stairs levelled out and the truth of this place was shown.

Their stairway had been in fact the roots of the massive tree that had been growing only the Gods know how long that took pride of place in the centre of the room . And where a saner architect might have put a solid and non-transparent floor the builder of this tower had chosen glass. And looking down the once high flying Knight knew why. Of course the books in their shelves interested him more. Though a warrior at heart Dalivn was an avid scholar, always seeking to improve his grasp of the arcane. And these books resting in such a place had to contain secrets untold, perhaps even a way to save her....

That bitter memory and the taste of blood, iron, and sorrow it brought with it snapped him back to reality . And grasping the hilt of Estoc tightly where his shard, the emerald of life rested he turned his gaze away from the book shelves and back to his companions.

SO, Viola from Donnaly, Mistress Haze, and of course Sir Dalivn Blackwater. He hoped they would be enough to save the princess. Clive didn't know if the princess was even alive but he felt something in the pit of his stomach, or maybe it was the crystal telling him that she could still be saved. There was something bothering the prince though. Mistress Haze, where had he heard that name before. It was at the edge of his thought, struggling to break free of the obscurity of the unknown and be basked into the light. He couldn't place it, no matter how hard he tried it just wouldn't reveal itself. "Oh well." The prince shrugged. Some secrets should stay secret, the prince thought to himself. He looked up to notice everyone else was already heading inside. The knight commander, thankfully between him and the unknown women. He tried again to use his power, to no avail. The prince put his hand on the stone one more time before he went inside. Nothing! He still couldn't use his power, not even a fraction of his strength could be reached. His powers had never not worked before and he had used the power of earth for anything he ever needed. It was like his right arm and now he felt it had been cut off and replaced by something else. He felt deep inside himself and could feel no trace of the power he once had. Instead of the sureness and solidity of earth, he felt the flexibility and calm of ... Water? He thought back to the well that he thought had almost drown him and that's when everything hit him. He lost his ability and it was replaced with the water element. He groaned to himself, What am I supposed to do with that, He thought angrily. It was almost the complete opposite of the power he had been so proud of and he hadn't a clue how to use it. " Wait, yes he did." He once again looked inside himself and could see the passages of magic in his head unraveling as he pushed ever deeper. Ways to control water, shape it to his will and even create it when there is none. It seemed the last part of his newly acquired power would take a lot of his energy, but the more he practiced the less it would take. So many new possibilities, but it would never feel the same again, not until he re-obtained the power of earth.

He had spent too much time in thought. He trotted at a brisk pace to keep up with the knight, which was still in the process of catching up to the three women in front. When the prince caught up to the knight, Sir Dalivn had just began his ascension up a slightly dimly lit staircase. Clive slowed his pace and began his climb up. As he walked, the staircase grew brighter telling them they were closer to their destination. Clive looked down and noticed the staircase went from the color of the sand outside, to the branches of a large tree. This tree wasn't just large, It was the biggest tree the prince had ever seen, which he knew didn't mean much coming from someone from Terrowen. His hometown was mainly mining country, but it still had it's share of small forest areas as well as the occasional lake. This tree however, was massive. Each step of the staircase the group was climbing was a branch of the tree and it seemed to go on forever. He saw floor after floor of the tower, each floor with a different colored carpet. After the stairs ended, Clive looked up to see clear floors and as far as he could tell most of the floors seemed to be stock full of books. After passing more then ten floors with nothing but bookcases as far as his eyes could see, he noted that this had to be the largest library in the world. Thousands of times larger then any library Terrowen and Hanivall could create with their combined might. The top of the tree was soon coming into view, but there was a problem. The stairs were made of glass. If he still had his power over earth the prince wouldn't be nervous at all, but that wasn't the case now. His only lifeline now from falling so far he could never hope to make an appropriate guess at measuring the distance, was about an inch of glass. However, the prince felt the same ancient magic as the stone walls from before in the glass, so it felt much safer then it should have for him to ascend the stairs. As the group finally reached the top, Clive wondered what they would be seeing. He also wanted some answers, and he hoped these (Librarians) had some information about his beloved princess. He would have to be subtle in asking, if he wanted to keep his identity a secret, but the risks were too high if he were to fail. He didn't want anything coming in between him and rescuing Arwen, even though it killed him inside to break his solid vow. His name would surly be tarnished if he were caught lying, and Blackwater was there, so it wasn't a secret that could be kept. He didn't care about his name, he would live the rest of his life as an outcast, forever doomed to walk the Shadowlands with the rest of the honor-less, if it means saving the life of the princess. And with that thought, The prince steeled himself and pushed on behind the group.

After a long climb, the group had made it, not only to the top of the tree, but the very apex of the tower as well. It leveled out at the top, the leaves were cut flat as if to keep them from overgrowing up unto the glass platform. At least, it could be assumed it was glass for a red carpet covered the entirety of the floor at the top. The robed woman stepped towards a large area at the other end of the platform covered in tables, bookshelves, and comfortable chairs. Every flat surface was covered in books. The tables held mostly flasks and bottles of every size and some strange glass tubes all twisted up. They held different colored fluids inside and some even glowed.

Viola's legs wobbled beneath her as she stepped onto the platform. So many stairs... so high up. She felt lightheaded and nauseous and all she wanted to do was sit in one of the chairs. Looking up, she nearly gasped. The sky was so clear and blue. She could only imagine what it looked like up here at night. If she worked up here she'd never want to leave. To be so far from cities and towns would give the perfect night sky. That and going down had to be much worse than coming up. She swayed on her feet at the thought. So much for staying strong.

The robed woman walked up to a figure in a similar robe who was hunched over a work table, a scroll rolled out before him. She whispered something to him and he straightened. He turned towards them, his hood obscuring his face just like the woman's, and said, "Welcome to the Glass Library. Im sure you've discovered why it is so named. I am the arch-mage Majesty and this is my right hand Tessarat." He raised his arms to gesture around him and the woman beside him bowed as she was introduced. "You being sent here was no mere coincidence which I'm sure you're aware of. Just as those stones you now hold, are not simple rocks." He gestured to four empty chairs that sat before them which had previously been covered in books. How they were emptied none of the guests could be sure. One minute they were a mess and the next they were inviting. "Please sit and we will explain. We will answer any questions you desire before we reveal your purpose as to being here."

((I could have him explain now, but I wanted to give your characters a chance to react. To the place, to him, any questions, etc.))

Sonnassa's legs wobbled as she finally reached the top of the tower. Red carpet stretched out before her on the landing that they reached at the apex of the tower. Looking up she saw a blue sky free of clouds its colour illuminated under the glass. For a moment she admired the beauty before drawing her attention to the situation in front her. Taking a deep breath she moved forward onto the carpet. She was glad that she could no longer see the height they were at positioning beneath them through the glass. It settled her nerves and she willingly alleviated her mind from the thought, even knowing the carpet was probably more glass. It was better to deceive herself otherwise.

The guide they had been following moved towards the end of the room. Her robe gliding over the red carpet as she approached another figure dressed much like she was. He was a man from the stature of his body. He was sat hunched over a work table, books surrounding him nestled in various bookshelves. Tables scattered around the workspace also featuring stacks of books as they piled onto a number of comfortable chairs. It was definietly an unorganised workspace that much Sonnassa could see. The man looked to be concentrating on a scroll rolled out before him before his attention was pulled away as their guide whispered something to him.

Turning towards them, his face also obscured by the hood of his cloak, he broke the silence with a deep voice:

"Welcome to the Glass Library. Im sure you've discovered why it is so named. I am the arch-mage Majesty and this is my right hand, Tessarat." He raised his arms to gesture around him and the woman beside him bowed as she was introduced. "You being sent here was no mere coincidence which I'm sure you're aware of. Just as those stones you now hold, are not simple rocks."

As he spoke Sonnassa patted a pocket on her left breast where her clear clouded stone rested. She could feel its power blooming from within, it was as though the stone had connected with her mind. She could feel it invigorate her, almost as though it was speaking with her. As they had ventured into the tower she had delved deep within her mind trying to pry from it more details to its existence. Upon doing so she had learned some interested new details in regards to the power it pulsated through her. She had realised the possibility of her summoning her clothes was because of the stone. The power also had many additional properties other than summoning objects. She was itching to test her abilities but knew now was not the time.

Now was the time for answers.

"I am rather curious as to what you meant by calling us 'champions'" Sonnassa strolled up to a chair and comfortably sat down the books that had piled upon it now vanished. She didn't question it. Leaning back in the chair and crossing her legs she leant her elbows on the arms of the chair entwining her hands together on her lap.

"Mistress Haze, nice to meet you" she nodded towards the male Mage. Glancing at the different coloured liquids within tubes that were placed nearby she relaxed unafraid and no longer nervous now that she couldn't see how high up she was. "I don't mean to be rude, but is there a name I may call you by? I realise you say you are the arch-mage Majesty but I do realise you must have a name other than title?" she raised an eyebrow. "As I said, I don't mean to be rude, I just feel more comfortable dealing with a person rather than a figure head. Considering the situation you must understand I'm taking precautions"

Those precautions being that she always took names of those she dealt business with. It was her rule to know who she worked with no matter the situation.

The Arch mage chuckled and lowered his hood to reveal a young man about the age of twenty-five with very light blue eyes and light brown eyes. "Majesty is my name, Mistress Haze. My parent's had an... interesting taste in names." Beside him Tessarat removed her hood to reveal warm brown skin and eyes nearly gold in color. "Though we both know you once went by another name, but you have your reasons." Majesty whispered only loud enough for her to hear as he moved to sit in a chair of his own. Loudly he explained, "I am from the high mountains of Myrrh in Terrowen." His eyes met those of the young man and held them a beat before moving back to Mistress Haze. "And Tessarat is from a small city here in Marsden. A city long since laid to ruin. The alabaster city of Cistall. I'm sure you've heard of it."

"As for your first question, Tessarat believes that the quest you all were... chosen, for lack of a better word, for means that you are meant to become a champion of Khadian. I believe that Princess Arwen sent out word to all, but only those with open minds were able to receive it."

Mistress Haze

Sonnassa raised an eyebrow as the arch mage answered her questions.

"Majesty is indeed an interesting choice" she mused at his comment regarding his parents decision "yet I wouldn't worry too much, trust me I've heard far more outlandish things in my travels, at least you've got your good looks" she grinned devilishly studying his features so that she could engrain them into her brain. A possible persona she could use when she got her powers back.

"As for my true name, it's not a secret that I hide it, what kind of parents would I have calling me Mistress Haze?" she mused again speaking loudly unafraid if anyone heard her, unlike Majesty who had kindly whispered.

"Unfortunately I have heard of Cistall" Sonnassa sighed glancing towards Tessarat "I won't pretend to be unaware of the misgrevings of growing up in such a place when you possess magic." Her fist clenched for a moment as the darkness of her memories enveloped her before she pushed them away again relaxing her hand on the chair. "but don't think i won't be cautious of you both just because you have introduced yourselves" she moved her attention to the both of them now.

"You say we were all 'chosen' to become champions of Khadian as we have open minds. But where exactly do you come into play in all of this? I can sense the power of these rocks" she pulled out the clear stone from her pocket with her left hand holding it between her forefinger and thumb. "I even understand the power this one has granted me" she held out her right hand over the side of the chair.

Suddenly a light sparked above her hand opening up a portal, out fell two sheathed Katana Swords which dropped neatly into her hand. They were sheathed in a black leather casing, a red silk tied hung from the hilts much like a dancers dress had tassels. There were her specially crafted weapons, her one and only choice of weapon. They, like her clothes had been tucked away at the apartment she owned. Luckily Clyde hadn't moved them. If he had moved them from the place she knew them to be she wouldn't have been able to summon them. An unlucky perk to her power, she had to know the exact location of an object to summon it, and also had to have seen it with her own eyes.

"What I don't understand, is how you seem to know about me. I can't speak for the others but I have a sense you somehow know more about us individually than should be possible without meeting us, and I can be sure I have never met either of you in my lifetime" Sonnassa stood adjusting her two Katana Swords so that they fit on her belt at her hips before gently sitting back down. She felt more comfortable now that she was armed in this place.

"Forgive me for being sceptical, it's not my nature to be so trusting you see" her smile returned but it wasn't as warm as before. Instead, it was defensive simulating a calculated fakeness as her hand rested on the hilt of her sword.