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."