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The cleric assumed this was the dark elf that Tristan had mentioned. The likelihood of there being more than one seemed slim.

"Galiena," she replied. "I spoke with 3 of his men earlier about a job that he was hiring for and wished to express my interest in joining the expedition."

She assumed the job was probably common knowledge, but avoided mentioning the catacombs at Plyren specifically, just in case it wasn't.

"Do you how I might request an audience with him?"
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"Really?" Galiena was pleasantly surprised at the offer and not about to turn it down, and not simply to save her boots five miles of wear. She'd heard that some mages learned how to teleport, but had never experienced it first hand and was quite curious to see how exactly it worked.

She stepped after the dark elf, pushing aside any misgivings she might have. "It's much appreciated, Iraetria." She wondered idly about the relationship between the dark elf and the count. The boy Tristan, whether he had intended to or not, seemed to suggest they were more than simply friends. Perhaps this was simply an excuse for the dark elf to pay the count another visit.

She pushed those thoughts away, reminding herself it was none of her business. "Do I... do I need to hold on to something? I've never done this before," she admitted.
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It was a very disorienting experience for someone who'd never done it before and Galiena took a few long seconds to get her bearings again before responding. "No, no motion sickness," she said unconvincingly.

She recovered quickly, then smiled. "That was really quite exciting. A much better way to travel, even if it did make my heart skip a few beats."

She wondered suddenly if Iraetria would be taking her back the same way. But first thing first and that was to see if she could speak with the Count. "You don't think he'll.. the Count, I mean... be upset at us just dropping in like this, do you?"
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What a strange thing to say! After all, she had only just met the dark elf not a quarter of an hour before. Besides, the Ireatria didn't seem like she needed any looking after.

"Is he always so mysterious?" Galiena said, watching the old man continue across the courtyard.

Perhaps, she thought, he was a seer. He did seem to indicate he knew she would be coming. Today was full of firsts...
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Galiena would hardly have categorized herself as a loyal servant of the Count, but let the statement go unchallenged. No sense dwelling on specifics in front of the man's daughter.

"You honor me, my lady," the cleric replied with a curtsy of her own, suddenly feeling very underdressed in her own traveling attire compared to the frilled dress Lady Adelina wore. Perhaps she should have asked Iraetria for time to change before allowing herself to be magicked away to the castle. Too late now...

She did take note of Adelina's mention of missing female company and no mention of a mother. That led further to the notion that the dark elf and the Count might have a romantic relationship.

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"Generally not, my lady" Galiena replied as they walked. Seeing the dark elf's shocked expression at the suggestion she was leading the cleric to her death, she sought to put the record straight. "Iraetria only provided me transportation here, which I am grateful for. But the decision to come was my own.

"I'm a follower of Lord of Light and of the Lady of the Eternal Flame, Adept of the Luminites Clerical Order in Ashdown," she said, solidifying her decision not to lie or mislead the Count about who she was. Besides, she was never any good at falsehoods. If the Count had some kind of feud with the Luminites, best she find that out before she helped retrieve whatever artifact he was after in the catacombs.

"I suspected undead from my conversation with some of his other hired swords in the Headless Horseman earlier."
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Galiena felt a short flutter of nervousness. While it wasn't her first dealing with nobility, it still wasn't exactly her forte either and she sent a short and silent prayer to the goddess Aeon to help her utilize wisdom in these matters.

"Thank you, my lord," she sat where he indicated and took the offered glass, though tasted only a small sip as she wanted to keep her wits.

She nodded to the Count's question, but added, "I am but a vessel for the divine blessings bestowed by Aeon and Veris. These feats can be accomplished if they desire it."

She hesitated, uncertain if her own questions were acceptable to ask and wishing she had followed through with her plan to visit the cathedral before coming here, but then asked anyway, "Are the clerics of St. Henricks unable to aid you?"

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Galiena listened carefully to the Count, but was still a bit surprised by his proposal that she be the one to lead the party into the catacombs. She was silent for a few moments as she considered. Even before coming here, she was already certain she would be going on this mission. Did the information about the rogue mages really change anything? Yes and no. It made the mission more dangerous. But if they wanted the artifact that badly, they obviously believed it a powerful item. For what purpose would likely remain a mystery until it was recovered.

"If I am to accept this responsibility," she answered finally, "I have one stipulation. The stone, whether it is mundane or magical, becomes the property of the Ashdown Luminites, to utilize, secret away, or even destroy as they deem appropriate."
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Galiena couldn't help the bit of color that crept into her cheeks at what she felt was an attempt to steamroll her into his service. The count had not only dismissed her terms out of hand, but made no effort at a compromise. And then to have the contract shoved at her as if she should simply be grateful for the job!?

However, she did manage to keep her composure and forced herself to exude an outward calm before she replied. She glanced at the pen and the scroll, but left them where they lay on the table, and looked back toward the Count.

"I understand, my Lord. But in that case, one of the Arcanists should lead the excursion into Plyren," she said stubbornly, pressing the matter about the ownership of the artifact.
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...could have Danelor lead the party, but I need him here more, and I can't risk losing him.

She stewed inwardly again at the Count's words. He obviously recognized the very real risk of death in this venture and had just made it clear, at least in her mind, he held little concern for her life.

"If they are not prepared to risk themselves to acquire it, why then would they risk themselves to protect it?" she returned his question with one of her own. While she held no ill will toward the Arcanists, she did not consider their motivations so pure as those of the Luminites. She and her brethren would also have the wisdom of the Lord of Light to guide their decisions about this artifact.
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