The stones were examined several times more. Nothing was wrong with them. No cracks, no significant flaws, and once a couple of mages were pulled over to check, no curses were detected. 

"Nothing, commander" the mage explained, deactivating his magic. "These are just stones. Nothing special about them."

--------------------

"I'll come with you" Kali said, her voice flat. She followed the other kobolds to see Rughoi, feeling quite bored by her services for almost the first time. For a few moments, she indulged herself in a daydream. She imagined herself living in a hut with Kutur, enjoying a lazy afternoon lounging around on a soft bed made of hay. Her humble fantasy was soon cut short when a herald announced that 'his might' was approaching. It took Kali all of her self control not to tell Kutur that she didn't want to be there and that she'd much rather spend the day making out with Kutur by the water's edge. For once, she thought of herself, her love life, and what she wanted to do.

"Greetings, my lord. What is the matter?"