[center][b]Sarah's Request[/b][/center]

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Kasim stopped a few paces behind the others, gazing at the strange structure with the avid eyes one would expect to see on a farm boy during his first trip to a city. He'd been much the same on their first day in the Underdark, even though they'd only seen a monotonous serious of caves. Everyone knew the place was a bunch of caves, but they never mentioned just how [i]big[/i] the place was. They'd spent days walking through the cave systems to reach their destination, yet Kasim felt sure that they'd not even scratched the surface of the place. It might not be as glamorous as a place like Renalta, but it was something [i]new[/i], and that made all the difference to him.

Darkhammer's voice cut through Kasim's wonderment, at least for the moment, and brought his attention to the task at hand. She'd been another target of his fascination during their trip into the dark caves, though he had made a concerted effort not to stare at her as he had the other new and intriguing sights. It was a queer sensation to quite literally follow in the footsteps of a living (well, sort of living) legend, a woman who'd been made out to be some kind of horrifying monstrosity of untold power, a campfire tale and a menacing name used to threaten children into obedience, wife to an even greater horror than herself... and yet Sarah Darkhammer seemed remarkably human, silently making liars of the tales by her simple presence. Well, Kasim wasn't ready to discount the tales about her powers and whatnot, but the story he'd heard from a Rheinfelder fellow about her being a demon was probably wrong.

A number of potential answers to Darkhammer's statement ran through Kasim's mind, ranging from deferential to mocking. He still hadn't really decided how it would be best to talk to the woman, and he hadn't dared to use his telepathy for aid as he would with less potentially dangerous ladies, so he found himself at an unfamiliar impasse. [i]To the Nine Hells with it[/i], he thought to himself with a mental shrug, [i]I'm not trying to woo her anyway, may as well act natural.[/i] Somewhere in the back of his mind he felt a tickle of humor at his own conclusion.

"We most certainly will, have no fear." Kasim strode forward with his torch held high, still speaking. "I can count the number of women I've disappointed on one hand, and I'd like to keep it that way." He made it a few paces ahead of the others before stopping and turning round to face them, one side of his mouth pulled up in a crooked smile. "Actually, wait, maybe not one hand, but definitely no more than two. Either way, this is no time for thoughtless bravado. I don't know what I was thinking, trying to be in the front of the band of intrepid adventurers. Everyone knows the guy with the bow stays in the back."

Kasim's eyes flicked toward his compatriots, then back to Sarah Darkhammer, his voice and expression a touch more serious than a moment before. "While I'm being rational, I suppose I ought to ask a couple questions. Do you know where in that big black thing we're supposed to find your artifact? Also, what's the thing supposed to look like? We could wander around lost and confused in there for a few days for your amusement if you like, but since it's important I figure maybe we should get it done quick. Any information you'd care to share that might help us get you what you want would be greatly appreciated." Normally he'd follow a request with a smile, hoping to win through with charm if his words failed, but he felt such coaxing wouldn't help much in this particular circumstance. Instead, Kasim simply switched the torch to his left hand and waited to see how the dice fell.

Sarah ignored the banter with a sly grin that said volumes, and nothing, all at once. "The artifact is likely to be central to the structure, you shouldn't have too much difficulty finding your way, it gets deadlier if you're going the right way is the usual case with these places." She paused considering the next question. "As for what it looks like, you will have no doubt when you lay eyes upon it, not least because its guardians will be trying very very hard to kill you, and keep themselves between you and it, as for any extra advice. Sleep not on the black stone or you might find your wits stolen from you." While her warnings suggested this was as much a test as a task she needed done, the last section left no doubt that she was serious.

Kasim nodded, smiling faintly. "Well then, I'm glad I thought to ask for the extra tidbits. I'd make poor company without my wits, and that wouldn't be any good for group morale. Thanks for the information." He turned to his fellow Queen's Blades and gestured toward the structure with his torch. "Unless I missed something, shall we?"