Wisps of dim yellow lights resembling fireflies danced around the immediate vicinity, moving where her fingers pointed.  The Queen was unimpressed by the show, the ever constant scowl on her face.  Everendall, on the other hand, enjoyed himself, adding his own bright white lights to the mix, both of them making it a game attempting to overpower the other—though everyone knew Sybil would have easily won had she given it her all.  When the double doors opened they both immediately stopped, the lights fading as everyone grew serious.  The Queen straightened her posture, resting her hands in her lap with a small smile, pleased they had stopped their blatant coquettish playing right in front of her, despite how adamantly they tried to deny it.

As Ardenelle led the monster hunters into the room, Sybil's eyes landed on one of them as she stared at him curiously.  There was something familiar that she couldn't quite place and it nagged at the back of her mind.  Unable to pinpoint it right away, she glanced over at the King to see his reaction.  The man sat erect on his throne, the playful smile replaced with a more somber expression.  He didn't trust the outsides, humans especially as they continued trying to take over his land, and the weight of his people's safety weighed heavily on his mind.  

It wasn't until Ardenelle spoke the name of the monster hunters that Sybil drew her attention away and back to the two of them.  Blue eyes shooting wide, she stared at the captain of the ship as he spoke.  Gaze fixated in awe, she wondered if this was the same boy from all those years ago.  Dalious was a name she would never forget—it would be impossible to forget the young man that had saved her life from the gallows.  It was his words, his reassurance that the elves were not the enemy of the malignant, that had convinced her going with them was a good idea.  For some reason, she thought he would have died out there on the sea with whatever crew he might have found in that little town, but—if this was the same person—he was still alive.

“Support from the elves?” he asked, an eyebrow arched expecting the pirate to explain further what he meant.  Everendall would not throw any support behind the pirates, he did not want people to think he was aligned with the wrong sort, but he was more than willing to pay them generously for their work.  “Ale and silver we can accommodate.”

A snort from Sybil, the King and Queen both glanced in her direction.  It was the Queen to speak and she was not amused.  “Something to say?”

“No, m'lady,” she replied, but went on to add, “Only that I think it unwise to supply hunters ale before a trip.  Seems a liability to me.”  Her eyes went back to settle on Dalious, tilting her head to the side while continuing to wonder if he was indeed the same person.

Everendall nodded.  “She has a point,” he agreed.  “No ale until after the contract has been fulfilled.”

“Are you sure you wouldn't rather me-” Sybil began.

The King cut her off and silenced her by lifting his hand.  “I am positive,” he told her firmly.  They left it at that before he turned back to the hunters with a frown.  “Werebeasts?” he asked.  “Where ever did you hear that?”  A shake of his head, he replied, “It is the Vampires we are having trouble with.  They come out at night and attack our citizens, edging closer to the city.  A new Hellsmouth has opened nearby.  Not only do we need the Vampires gone, but the rift itself closed.”

The malignant, meeting Dalious' eyes, said, “Light them up.”  Holding a finger beside her head, a small flame erupted from the tip.  Her eyes twinkled mischievously with a twisted grin on her face.