Sophia smiled as Gareth asked about her homeland. She loved Lyok, and any chance to talk about it filled her with excitement. "I'm from a land to the far east called Lyok. It's quite large, there are numerous colonies with all sorts of different people and cultures." She smiled. "My mother is the Empress of Lyok. I grew up in the capitol ,Veranthium. It's a beautiful city, the largest in the known world. You should really see it, there are lovely spires and markets, and merchants from all over the world come there to trade. The royal palace is also very popular, it has a massive spire that reaches into the clouds called the Ivory Tower." Her excitement was obvious in the fervor with which she described her homeland. "My mother sent me here as a sort of ambassador. I learned the ways of the court from the time I could speak. I'm actually here to foster relations between Lyok and Keilaudrin and promote peace between our two nations." She gave a brilliant smile. "Oh, magic? What sort of magic?" She had heard of many kinds of magic, though it was incredibly uncommon to meet a true practitioner of the magical arts. She had seen a magician once, he'd been a guest of her mother's court. A few of the provinces of Lyok also were said to hold ancient powers.

Jezin smirked. "I'm sure you'll do fine, Sir Thomas." Thomas went on to speak about Redwyne Cole. The way Thomas spoke of him, he had to be a formidable man. "Right, I'll watch myself, I'd hate to make it that far only to lose to my own exhaustion." If Cole was anywhere near the expert that Thomas described, the bodyguard would need every bit of energy he could muster. He shook his head. He couldn't allow doubt into his mind. He had to uphold the glory of Lyok at all costs. He smiled and pulled the necklace from beneath his armor, leaving it free to hang against his chest. The small engraved serpent glittered in the sun.