JETMODE: * The night comes and goes without further activity, the next day dawning clear and crisp. Kain is up almost with the sun, clearing the last of the campfire and gathering his scattered belongings together before waking his companion and setting out on the road again. Several days pass in uneventful fashion before the city comes into view in the distance, and Kain gives a faint sigh of relief, his abortive journey almost back on track. They should reach the gates by afternoon, he informs his companion, and manages to be quite correct in his estimate.

TIAMAT: * Tai seems to enjoy the trip thoroughly, chatting with her guide about her past and living in Neenah along the way. She looks rather excited when they catch their first glimpse of the capital, and she grows quiet as they enter the outskirts, staring around in fascination.

JETMODE: * Kain doesn't seem bothered by the conversation, offering an occasional anecdote himself. He becomes significantly jumpier as they near Kamaria, however, and by the time they've reached one of the larger roads, he looks about to bolt. "Well, this is Kamaria -- you're here." He scratches his head, frowning, and darts a glance warily around. "I don't really know who can help you out, but you might try the market or one of the government offices if you're looking for kin ..."

TIAMAT: * Tai doesn't really notice Kain's skittishness at first, still too enthralled with the city. She glances briefly at him when he speaks. "Okay...wow...thank you again for taking me this far." She smiles, then falters slightly, suddenly noticing his uneasiness. "Hey, are you okay?" she asks, watching him a little worriedly.

JETMODE: "Yeah! Yeah, I'm -- peachy." He looks around again warily, much as if he expects assassins, or possibly monsters, to pop out of the shadows. "Well, if that's all you need, I'll ... just be on my way."

TIAMAT: "Um...yeah, I guess so. Thanks again, it was nice traveling with you!" She grins brightly and turns to look around some more, but doesn't seem inclined to move just yet.

JETMODE: * Kain peers at her for a moment, then shakes his head, breathing a sigh of relief that he's apparently gotten out of this unscathed. He's about to turn and move as fast as he can for the gates, when a familiar voice hails him cheerfully. "Hey! Kain! Where have you been? I've been looking all over!" Resignation creeps into his features as he turns to face the owner of the voice, waving half-heartedly. "Yo.. Luke. What's up?"

TIAMAT: * Tai blinks and looks around when she hears the voice calling Kain's name, spotting a young elf with sandy colored hair and dark tanned skin jogging toward them. She glances back at Kain, curious and questioningly.

JETMODE: "Geez, Kain, your dad said you might be hard to find ..." The elf, Luke, pauses to catch his breath when he finally reaches them, glancing at Tai with a polite nod before returning his attention to Kain, whose expression has become utterly defeated. "Seriously, where have you been? We've gotta leave today -- it's a good thing we're already running late." At this, Kain's expression becomes utterly baffled, but Luke has already shifted gears again. "Oh, er, who's your friend?" he asks, apparently realizing that the girl is not merely a passer-by.

TIAMAT: * Tai blinks again and smiles politely, inclining her head slightly. "Tai Zedekiah. A pleasure to meet you, sir. Kain was generous enough to help me out and guide me to the city."

JETMODE: "Luke Kohaku, it's a pleasure," says the elf, but by the time he finishes the statement, his gaze has already shifted back to Kain. "I know you make it a religion to shirk your assignments, but this is a major mission, Kain -- wait, what?" He looks at Tai again. "Guide you to the city --" Before he can finish whatever question that statement began, however, Kain interrupts him, bafflement giving way to horror. "Mission? Luke, what the hell are you talking about?" Luke's expression becomes immediately confused. "What, your dad didn't tell you?"

TIAMAT: * Tai watches and listens, politely silent but also with a hint of interest in her gaze.

JETMODE: "Tell me what?!" Kain's expression becomes increasingly aggravated. Luke, on the other hand, looks deeply confused. "Ah, your dad said you were goin' on a mission with us down to Jareth, yeah? You sure he didn't tell you?" Kain rubs a temple, feeling a headache not unlike the one from the tavern coming on. "Yeah, Luke, I'm pretty sure he didn't tell me ..." He looks up, and Luke is scratching his head thoughtfully. "Well, maybe we best go see Lord Glenn ..."

TIAMAT: * Tai's looking increasingly interested in the conversation, and finally she can't contain herself. "Lord Glenn? Kain, you never said you knew the nobles..." She glances at Luke with an arched eyebrow.

JETMODE: * Kain looks, briefly, like he's going to be ill, and Luke turns his gaze to Tai in faint astonishment. "Knew the nobles..? Kain --" Kain waves a hand sharply, breaking into his statement. "Just shut up, Luke, it's not that big a deal --"

TIAMAT: * But Tai looks between both of them in amusement, a smile twitching at the corners of her mouth. "Come on, Kain, what's not a big deal?"

JETMODE: * Kain makes an indistinct noise, but Luke seems to find the whole thing remarkably funny. "He is one of the nobles, Miss Tai," he says with a grin. "Your guide was none other than Young Master Kain Dorgany -- last in a long line, so I hear." He lets out a slight squawk as Kain smacks him in the back of the head, looking almost sulky. "I told you to shut up about it!"

TIAMAT: * Tai's look of amusement slips slowly off her face, to be replaced with one of surprise, embarrassment, and slight horror. "Master...Kain? He's a noble?" She stares at her traveling companion for a moment, dumbfounded. "I had no idea...I..." she stammers, looking at a loss for words.

JETMODE: * Kain looks highly annoyed. "Look, I said .. not a big deal." He cuffs Luke again as the other starts laughing. "Seriously," Kain tries again. "Just treat me like you did before, I don't care." Luke scuttles out of the way of his blow, grinning.

TIAMAT: * By now, a blush has crept into Tai's cheeks, and she avoids Kain's eyes, chuckling nervously. "Um, if you insist." She scratches the back of her head, and turns instead toward Luke. "So...who's this Lord Glenn we're going to see?"

JETMODE: "He's -- wait a sec, whaddya mean, 'we'?" Kain gives her a suspicious look, hoping he didn't hear correctly. Luke, on the other hand, responds cheerfully, "He's my employer, miss. A member of Kamaria's council." Kain mutters something that sounds like, "A grouchy old hard-ass," but Luke pretends not to hear him.

TIAMAT: * Tai's interested look begins to return as she concentrates on Luke, ignoring Kain for now. "One of the councilors? Can I come?" She looks thoughtful, then adds, more to herself than to the other two, "If nothing else, maybe I can get an idea of where to start looking for my family..."

JETMODE: * Kain gives her a severely disgruntled look, glancing at Luke, who returns his look with a mild shrug. "I'm sure Lord Glenn would be happy to help, if he can," the elf says, and Kain, for the second time in a day, looks defeated. "All right, all right ... let's go find him."

TIAMAT: * Tai brightens immediately, clapping her hands together once as she beams at Luke. "Oh, thank you! This is my first time to the city, so I don't know my way around at all yet...I wasn't sure where to start."

JETMODE: * Luke grins, turning to slap Kain on the shoulder. "Come along, then, Young Master Dorgany -- don't want to disappoint your father, now do you?" Kain gives him a very sour look. "I make a living out of disappointing my father," he retorts, but he nevertheless sets off up the street, apparently toward the center of town. Luke half-bows to Tai and waves for her to follow them as well.

TIAMAT: * Tai trots after them, falling in step behind them and still looking around in fascination as they enter the main part of the city. "So -- um, Kain -- who is your father? You never told me much about yourself."

JETMODE: "Kail Dorgany ... he's on the council, too. Sorta." Kain doesn't seem inclined to speak on, but Luke fills in, apparently much more comfortable with his social status than Kain is. "They say it's an honorary seat, but the family's held it for generations -- as far back as anyone can remember. He has just as much power as any of the other members."

TIAMAT: "Kail Dorgany," Tai says quietly, watching the back of Kain's long, blond hair as they walk through the city. She falls quiet for a moment, apparently thinking, then looks back at Luke. "And -- Sir Luke -- are you on the council, as well?"

JETMODE: * Luke stifles a snort of laughter, rubbing his nose as he looks back at her. "No 'sir', miss -- I'm as common as anyone. I'm Lord Glenn's aide, and that's about the extent of it." Kain grunts. "He helps keep me sane during the more mind-numbing parts of the sessions." Luke arches an eyebrow at him. "Oh? I thought the young miss who sat across the table had something to do with that ..." Kain cuffs him again.

TIAMAT: * Tai looks amused, but doesn't inquire further on the issue, instead seeming content to look around at the sights as they make their way through the city. The streets get busier and more crowded the further toward the center of town they go, full of merchants hawking their wares, couriers running errands, and common folk going about their own business. After about 15 minutes of walking (Tai has to jog to keep up with the boys more than once, nearly getting separated in the crowds), Luke leads them to one of the larger houses near the very heart of the city.

JETMODE: * Luke also takes them inside, looking around curiously before closing the door behind them. "Lord Glenn? I found Kain!" He casts a glance at the pair. "I'll go find him."

TIAMAT: * Tai glances around curiously -- the house is large and very well-kept, decorated with a few expensive-looking paintings and sculptures. The girl looks distinctly out of place, especially when a maid walks by and pauses the curtsey politely at her and Kain.

JETMODE: * Kain doesn't pay much attention to the servant, aside from waving absently at the girl. It isn't long before Luke returns, chatting cheerfully with someone behind him. Kain straightens almost automatically as the pair comes into view, sighing faintly.

TIAMAT: * Tai, seeing Kain straighten, follows suit, trying to brush her hair out of her face. The man with Luke is tall, lean, and muscular, his aide's senior by at least ten or fifteen years, though his features are still sharp and handsome. He's wearing fine cut noble's clothing, though his brown hair hangs a little messily around his face, and he has an easy-going air about him. As Kain and Tai come in to view, he holds up a hand to Luke to silence him, then approaches the pair, holding his hand out to Kain with a smile. "Master Kain. Glad you could join us."

JETMODE: * Kain takes his hand and shakes it reluctantly, gaze drifting guiltily away. "Yeah, well." Luke grins furtively, rubbing his nose and glancing away as well. "I'm lucky I caught him, it seems."

TIAMAT: * The man chuckles, apparently very amused. "Running away again? I'm glad you decided to return, I didn't want to send Luke on this mission alone." He pauses, glancing at Tai for the first time and taking a step toward her. "And who's your pretty young friend?" he asks with a kind smile. Tai blushes and attempts a half-bow -- she'd curtsey, except she's not wearing a skirt. "Tai Zedekiah, sir." The man returns the bow, taking her hand to kiss it lightly. "Glenn Greenstone, senator of Wynn, at your service. A pleasure, milady."

JETMODE: "Brought her back from partway up to Neenah ... says she's looking for family." Kain grunts and waves a hand, sticking his thumbs in his pocket again. "So what about this mission? Sounds like Dad volunteered me when I wasn't around. I don't know anything about it."

TIAMAT: * Glenn gives Tai a curious look when Kain explains how he met her, then motions toward a room just off the entrance hall. He leads them into a parlor, where a few small couches and a fancy looking chair or two are set around a fire place. The senator takes a seat in one of the chairs, offering the others to sit down as well as a maid brings a tray with tea and cups in, setting it on a small table next to Glenn's chair. He doesn't respond to Kain's question immediately, frowning slightly as he pours the tea, offering a cup to each of them. "Didn't tell you? Well, he had to leave in a hurry, and did mention that he may not be able to fill you in on the details before his departure..."

JETMODE: "Well, he didn't tell me because I wasn't there ..." Kain admits, looking disgruntled again in spite of himself. "I mean, I just got back to town twenty minutes ago." Luke, in the meantime, takes up his post at Glenn's right, standing loosely at attention as the conversation continues.

TIAMAT: * Tai sips her tea quietly as Glenn arches an eyebrow at Kain. "Ah. I see. Well then--" He pauses, glancing at the elf girl and clearing his throat a bit. "Pardon me, miss -- would you excuse us for a moment? If you could wait in the hallway, this shouldn't take long, and then I'd be happy to assist you. Luke tells me you're looking for family." He smiles politely but pointedly, and Tai blinks, setting her tea down very suddenly on a nearby table. "Oh. Er. Yes. Of course." She stands and walks toward the door, glancing back at the group briefly before exiting the room and closing the door behind her.

JETMODE: * Kain slouches into his seat, giving Glenn a look of faint suspicion. "So ... what's this all about, anyway? Usually Dad at least makes sure I'm around before he volunteers me for things like this ..."

TIAMAT: "The coliseum in Jareth," Glenn says, leaning back in his chair and folding his hands in front of him. "You've been there with your father, haven't you? Seen the games?"

JETMODE: "Not a big fan of 'em, but yeah ... Adlai invited us down there once or twice." Kain scratches his cheek, frowning. "Dad always wanted to shut 'em down, but they were supposedly voluntary and legal." He tilts his head. "Do we finally have some evidence or something?"

TIAMAT: * Glenn nods approvingly. "Maybe not enough to shut down the entire coliseum, yet. But I've heard rumors -- from more than one of my reliable informants -- that...someone is performing experiments on some of the contestants. Mutative experiments."

JETMODE: * Kain frowns. "Mutative.. what kind of mutations?" Luke gives a faint shrug, shaking his head, and glances at Glenn. It's clear he's heard all this information before. Kain slumps down even farther, sighing. "Guess there's no help for it ... Do you think it's okay for me and Luke to go, though? Adlai knows both of us ..."

TIAMAT: * Glenn frowns slightly. "It's a risk we have to take. Luke is the best person for this job -- I trust him implicitly, and he knows what we need to shut them down. I don't want him to go alone for obvious reasons, though, and the two of you have always worked well together." He nods to Kain briefly. "Besides, Adlai is here in the capital for the time being, and Kail and I can keep him here until the two of you return."

JETMODE: * Kain nods slowly. "Yeah, all right." He glances up, straightening in his chair. "Uh, so I guess we're just looking around ... for solid evidence?" Luke grins suddenly. "See, I can use you as a decoy while I sneak around. You being so much prettier than me." Kain scowls at him.

TIAMAT: * Glenn smiles briefly and nods again. "We don't really want the two of you taking down the entire operation immediately, though I don't doubt you could if it was necessary. For now, just find out what you can. Bring us back anything that we can use against them. Lay low, and stay safe -- if you get in trouble, don't hesitate to get out of there."

JETMODE: * Kain sighs, rubbing his nose wearily. "Yeah. Okay. Can't really light out across the desert anyway, so we better be careful." Luke straightens slightly, then turns to Glenn with a faint smile. "It's a long trip, Lord Glenn. We can leave at once."

TIAMAT: * Glenn nods curtly, standing to face Luke and motioning toward the door. "Feel free to take what you need. Provisions are in the pantry, and you can ask one of the maids for any other equipment you'd like. I'm afraid we don't have horses for you, though."

JETMODE: "Definitely can't light out across the desert," Kain mutters, starting toward the door at a clipped pace. Luke nods briefly. "I'll get supplies together shortly, if you'll meet me in the courtyard --" Kain swings the door open, grinning over his shoulder. "Sure thing. I'm all packed and ready to go anyway."

TIAMAT: * Glenn is about to respond again when there comes a faint squeak from the hallway, and Tai stumbles hastily away from the door, her face going red and looking extremely guilty.

JETMODE: * Kain blinks, turning his head abruptly to look at the girl, grin all but vanishing. "What the hell ..." Luke trots over to peer over his shoulder, and his brows lift immediately at the sight. "You know," Kain says irritably, "you're pretty darn nosy."

TIAMAT: * Tai flinches, back up toward the fall wall as Glenn stares at her, frowning. "I -- I'm sorry. I -- couldn't help but overhear something -- about experiments -- it sounded important..."

JETMODE: "Yeah, that would be why he asked you to leave the room," Kain scowls, but Luke clears his throat, interrupting him. "Well, it's really no harm done, miss ... we would simply appreciate it if you kept what you heard pretty much to yourself ..." He glances back at Glenn for confirmation.

TIAMAT: * Glenn glances at Luke, then back at Tai with a nod. He opens his mouth to say something, but Tai interrupts quickly. "I won't tell anyone! I promise. I -- I actually was wondering -- I wanna help -- can I go with them?"

JETMODE: * Kain stares at her for a moment, incredulity on his face. ""No way! Are you crazy? You heard him -- it'll be dangerous! You couldn't even protect yourself on the road, what makes you think --" Luke breaks into his tirade, lifting his hands placatingly. "Kain, geez -- you don't have to go that far ..." He looks at Tai sideways with an apologetic smile. "I'm afraid he is right in that we can't take you with us, though."

TIAMAT: * Tai flinches again, looking disappointed -- even her ears seem to droop a little. "But I--" Glenn holds up a hand to silence her, smiling faintly. "My dear, we appreciate your concern, and your desire to help. However, we also have no desire to see you hurt on our behalf. Kain and Luke are more than capable of handling this little mission themselves. Besides, weren't we going to look for your family?" He motions the boys out in the hallway, then stands aside in the doorway, inviting Tai back into the parlor. She hesitates, then sighs and moves back into the room. Glenn nods approvingly. "Very good. Have a seat, miss, and I'll be right back with you, after I help Luke with supplies."

JETMODE: * Kain looks relieved, shaking his head slightly as he makes his way from the room. He appears to be biting down on a number of caustic comments. "Meet you in the courtyard," he manages after a moment, then breaks away from Luke and Glenn to walk toward the entrance.

TIAMAT: * Glenn nods to Kain, then glances back at Tai. "If you'll excuse me -- again -- for just a moment, miss. I do apologize for the delay. Feel free to make yourself comfortable, and I'll be back soon." He shuts the door behind him as he walks out into the hallway with Luke.

JETMODE: "It's doubtful she's a spy, sir," Luke says quietly, once they're well away from the door. "Since Kain brought her back with him from so far away." He smiles briefly. "I'll have to ask him how that happened. She seems to have a gift for getting under his skin."

TIAMAT: * Glenn bows his head slightly, grinning a little himself. "I didn't think she was. She seems...innocent. More innocent than most in the city." He pauses, straightening slightly. "Since she's so eager to be of assistance, I'll see if there's anything she can do for me around here, until she finds her place."

JETMODE: "That would be a sound course of action, sir," Luke agrees. "It doesn't seem fair to turn her loose in the city like that." He pauses when they reach the kitchen, folding his hands behind his back. "I looked over the safest routes and plans, and it seems like we'll be gone at least a month, sir."

TIAMAT: * Glenn nods absently, leading Luke to the large pantry at the back of the kitchen. "Take as much time as you need down there to find what we need -- but remember, don't put your lives in danger. If you need to get out, then do so."

JETMODE: * Luke nods. "Not to worry, sir. I'll look out for Kain." He grins, starting into the pantry. "We'll come back with the information you need -- count on it." With that, he turns toward the stores, rapidly choosing a stock of foods that will keep relatively well on the road.

TIAMAT: * Glenn nods. "I know you will. You've never let me down before." He smiles briefly. "And...keep an eye on our Young Master Dorgany. Kail wouldn't appreciate it if his son got himself in any trouble with the games down there." He takes some of the supplies from Luke, helping him pack his haversack.

JETMODE: * Luke nods, looking amused, and snatches a couple of empty water skins for filling. "Well, you know how he can get. Hopefully he at least won't try to enter." He hesitates, flipping the pack closed. "I hope ..."

TIAMAT: * Glenn takes one of the flasks from him, walking back out to the kitchen and filling the flask from a basin of clear, clean water in the corner. "You'd better make sure he doesn't," he replies mildly. He doesn't sound threatening, but there's a sense of finality in his tone. "Kail will have both our hides if he does..."

JETMODE: "Oh, I have no doubt, sir." Luke takes the skin from him, leaving the other empty in his pack. "If things go according to plan, he won't have the opportunity." He locks the pack and slings it over his shoulder. "That should do us for now, sir. We'll leave immediately."

TIAMAT: * Glenn nods, clasping Luke's shoulder briefly. "Travel well, friend, and be safe. I must go see to our guest."

JETMODE: * Luke inclines his head, smiling briefly. "Yes, sir." With that, he takes his leave of the kitchen, walking quickly out to the front courtyard, where he finds Kain waiting for him. They set out with minimal banter, wanting to put as much distance between them and the city as possible before night falls.

JETMODE: * By the time they reach their campsite, Kain is limping and complaining, weary from a full day of walking. Luke seems content to ignore him, however, apparently of the opinion that Kain's complains are probably his own fault anyway. Before long, however, they've got wood gathered for a fire, and they're eating a minimal meal. "You and your boss, Luke, are freaking slave drivers." Luke grins briefly, setting flint and tinder to work on the wood he's gathered. "Think of it this way, Kain, if you were where you were supposed to be, your feet wouldn't be half as tired."

JETMODE: * Kain grunts irritably, chewing over a piece of dried meat and frowning. "I've known Adlai since I was a kid ... feels kind of weird he'd do this, even knowing he's been corrupt for years." Luke nods, poking the fire until it's burning well. "He's kind of a strange old guy, really ... did a lot for the rights of demi-humans, but ..." Kain nods again, slowly. "Bein' involved in this seems a little extreme ... he's weird, but he doesn't seem the type."

JETMODE: "I'd hate to think someone else is involved ..." Luke frowns. "Though I know at least one of the others is corrupt, too ... Lord Glenn hasn't been investigating them as working together, but ..." Kain nods, grimacing. "I thought it was just, yaknow ... embezzlement and that kinda thing ..." He sighs, taking a long bite of his bread.

TIAMAT: * There's a pause, then somewhere outside the firelight of the duo's small camp comes a faint rustling sound, like a creature moving through the underbrush, followed by the sharp snap of a twig.

JETMODE: * Kain's ears prick, and he arches an eyebrow at Luke, who nods and gives his head a slight jerk. "Guess you never know," Luke says, getting lazily to his feet and ambling around the edge of the camp site as if to circle in the direction of the sound. "Yeah," Kain agrees, waiting a moment before mirroring the movement. Once in position, the pair unsheathe blades in the general direction of the sound, Kain barking, "Better come on out, we already know you're there."

TIAMAT: * There comes a little gasp from somewhere between the dark trees, a very brief pause, and then a shadowy figure takes off away from the camp, running blindly through the forest.

JETMODE: "Smart," Kain mutters, sheathing his sword and launching himself after the figure with Luke in close pursuit. It doesn't take him long to catch up, and once he's in range, he lunges at the smaller person, dragging him or her to the ground with a fairly sharp, rattling thud. Luke skids to a halt shortly behind. "Get him?" he asks a little breathlessly.

TIAMAT: * There's a very feminine shriek as Kain tackles the person, and she goes down with a muffled yelp, flailing a little under the elf.

JETMODE: "Her," Luke corrects himself, looking somewhat surprised, though it's difficult to tell in the darkness. Kain gets carefully to his feet, dragging his captive with him, and starts pulling her back toward the fire. "Well, let's see who the little spy is," he says with almost inordinate cheer.

TIAMAT: * She struggles a little, half thrashing and half stumbling after Kain back to camp. "Let...go...of...me..." pants a voice he may or may not recognize.

JETMODE: "Not a chance," Kain grumbles. "You took all the trouble of following us out here and spying on us, so why not hang around for dinner?" Luke glances back at her with interest, hiding a smile, as he does recognize the voice. "Besides, miss Tai, why run? You should know we aren't going to hurt you." Kain stumbles a bit in surprise when they reach the camp, discovering in the firelight that Luke is quite right about the spy's identity.

TIAMAT: * Tai stops thrashing as they stumble into the firelight, hanging her head and looking immensely guilty. "I'm sorry! I just -- I heard what Lord Glenn said back in Kamaria -- I didn't want to just sit around when...when something like that is happening!" She glances up at them, flinching at the look on Kain's face.

JETMODE: * Kain stares at her, clearly not trust himself to speak, and Luke covers his mouth with his hand, expression grave. "Noble as your intentions are, miss Tai, you really should not be involved ..." Kain releases her sharply and stalks back to where he was sitting, shaking his head.

TIAMAT: * Tai staggers slightly when Kain releases her, then looks down again, digging her foot in the dirt a little. "You gonna send me back to Kamaria?"

JETMODE: "By yourself?" Kain sounds annoyed. "How could we do that?" Luke glances at him repressively and waves a hand for her to take a seat. "As Kain suggests, I wouldn't feel right sending you back without an escort, but we can't afford the time." He looks weary for a moment, sitting down across the fire and leaning back on his hands. "Looks like she has to come with us, at least as far as the coast." Kain utters a noncommittal grunt.

TIAMAT: * Tai hesitates, then sits slowly near the fire, keeping a good distance away from Kain. Her ears perk a little when they agree to take her with, and she bites her lower lip for a moment. "I won't get in the way! I promise. I can help! You did say that it might be difficult since this Adlai knows both of you--" She stops short, thinking she may have said too much.

JETMODE: "Nosy," Kain remarks sourly, and Luke gives a faint chuckle. "Be that as it may, miss, you really have no business on this mission," he says as gently as he can. "If you wish to help that much, I'm certain Lord Glenn could have found work for you back in Kamaria."

TIAMAT: * Tai pulls her legs up to her chest, resting her chin on her knees and looking uneasy. "I'm sorry," she mumbles again, avoiding their eyes.

JETMODE: * Luke shakes his head, smiling faintly. "Well, there's nothing to be done for it now." He scratches his cheek, glancing at Kain. "You can stay with us if you like, but I have to ask you to do as we say once we're in Jareth -- it's for your own safety." Kain, in the meantime, has laid out his cloak and settled his weapons at his side, preparing to sleep.

TIAMAT: * Tai swallows and nods, still avoiding Luke's gaze. "How...how far is it?"

JETMODE: "It's a couple of weeks' journey walking to get there," Luke answers, "and likely the same back, unless we cut across the desert for the return trip." Kain gives a distinct shudder at the idea. "Tell you what, this better be worth it ... even Dad's field exercises are better than a march through the desert ..." Luke grins at him. "Speaking of which, that's our cover story, so don't forget it."

TIAMAT: * Tai looks up finally, glancing between the two of them briefly. "Field exercises? You've done this kind of thing before?"

JETMODE: "Not this kind of thing," Kain mutters. "But Dad'll send us out for weapons and combat training on a regular basis." Luke nods in agreement. "This mission is a little out of the ordinary, to be perfectly honest with you."

TIAMAT: * Tai nods slowly, then lowers her gaze to stare into the firelight for a while. Gradually, they all pull out their sleeping gear and one by one, bed down to rest for the night as the stars begin to appear in the dark sky above them.

JETMODE: * It's several hours later, when the group is pretty well asleep, that a shadow appears above the dell, looking down at them with something resembling distinct disappointment. It scratches the part of its shaded anatomy that is probably its head and sighs heavily before slinking hurriedly away.

TIAMAT: * When the figure is well out of ear-shot of the group -- though not so far away that the light of their fire's coals has disappeared -- a familiar female voice hisses at him from the branches of a tree as he passes. "I told you."

JETMODE: * The first figure flinches, his wings wrapping almost defensively around himself. "You are always so negative, sis! There is still -- I assure you -- no cause to panic." He skips back a few steps and huddles in the darker shadows of one of the trees.

TIAMAT: * A pair of glowing eyes appears in the tree, glaring down at the first figure. "This is a bad idea," she growls lowly, jumping down to the ground and straightening to face her brother. "We should separate them now, before it's too late. What will happen if they find out and we can't get to them in time?"

JETMODE: "What, are you kidding? Separate them now?" He springs to his feet, wings spreading briefly as if in disbelief. "Listen to me, sis, if you spirit off the little girl, the only thing it's going to do is make my kid determined to go find her."

TIAMAT: * She stares silently at him for a long moment, expression bland -- as far as can be told in the darkness, anyway. "... I thought he was nearly as unmotivated as you," she remarks dryly. "Besides, he doesn't seem to particularly care for her."

JETMODE: * He gives a soft 'tch' sound, lashing his tail slightly. (It thumps against the tree.) "You have to understand, he's got this problem with nobility that I never had. Like her or not, he'll go after her." He straightens, folding his arms across his chest. "That I can guarantee."

TIAMAT: * The female gives a faint sigh, closing her eyes briefly. "Very well," she mutters, opening her eyes and straightening. "The first chance we get, though, we have to get them apart."

JETMODE: "Yeah, yeah.. just no nighttime kidnappings. Try... I don't know.. something subtle." His teeth flash in a grin, and he turns to go on his way. "It's probably not feasible 'til they're back in Kamaria, you know? Just have to hope they keep the pendants under wraps 'til then."

TIAMAT: "I WILL take her if they find out," she replies, "or maybe him. You know we can't let them merge again. In the meantime, just stay close" She leaps back up into her tree, turning to watch her brother move through the forest.

JETMODE: "Things'll get complicated if you take him," he calls after her, then flits off through the trees, muttering under his breath.

TIAMAT: "They already are," she murmurs, more to herself than to him, then disappears in the opposite direction.