[b][center]A Clayman's Finale[/center][/b]

The moment they'd arrived it had been straight to business for Lux. He had already began loosening his shoulders and cracking his fingers, thinking more of his electrocution curtains would be a half-decent substitute for Alfiere's ridiculous aptitude for erecting magical walls. However, Lux' thoughts were cut short when he was taken by the arm by the one and only Vivian Locke, force of nature and white queen of the library. At first glance, Lux didn't seem to mind, although in the short time period they'd spend he'd learn that the woman's exterior was about everything that was beautiful about Vivian. She refused to tell Lux why he was escorting her, no matter how many times he asked. Lux stopped asking though, when the earth beneath his feet began to tremble...

“You're joking...” Lux gasped, as he saw the construction rise above the canopy of the forest. “Lady, I think you should've brought a wrecking ball to escort you instead.”

In spite of his jests, Lux was actually concerned with what was happening. This was a rescue mission, and that was the type of mission he had been on the other end of. Lux had barely escaped with his life, and the memory of that kid dying in his place... It was not the kind of experience he'd wish to anyone. No, this time he wanted everyone to survive. Speaking of which, he hoped Emily would be fine without him. After what felt to be ages together, they'd broken their mission-buddy streak, and of all places, Emily was returning to the desert-dragon. It had been hard to make the decision to let her go alone, but Lux just couldn't pass up the opportunity to repay the favour the Library had given him in his time of need. Especially not because one of his rescuers, Salia, was the one trapped this time around.

When the party arrived at the feet of the ruins, Lux immediately noticed a man near the foundation of the temple. Judging from his reports, there was no mistaking who that was. “Hey, Nuka!” Lux yelled, rushing ahead towards the knight. “What button did you press for this to happen?”

[b][center]Will 'o the Piper[/center][/b]

“That's something we can find out on our own.” Sigmund stopped Charles, as he put his hand on the man's shoulder. He had thought the two fancy intel members had a little more to go on regarding the locals, but when Sigmund saw the reaction Charles evoked he reconsidered his faith. He continued to speak to both Charles and Eidren though Charles' telepathic link, which although odd (Sigmund had difficulty keeping from transferring his actual thoughts into Charles' brain) was much more reliable than having his wicked spirit do the talking.

[i]“We want these people to think we're professionals. We're not gonna do that by second-guessing what they take offense to and making them think we can't do this without them. I say we leave the talking to the samurai over here. Calm them down, win some trust. Eidren, you're one of those flyers, aren't you? Why don't you take to the sky and see if you can find a river. That's our first clue. Meanwhile, I know a thing or two about forced entry, if anyone can get me onto a crime scene I'll have you know.[/i]