[Four months after the Brevon Crisis]
High in the main tower of the Shang Tu Royal Palace, the Magister looks out over his fiefdom, the city below basking in the morning sun.
"Your Excellency!" General Gong calls, marching into the room. "A member of the Red Scarves wishes to speak with you."
"This is a highly unusual request," the Magister muses. "Are you sure this isn't a trick?"
"She is alone and unarmed," Gong assures.
"Very well, send her in," the Magister orders. "And don't take your eyes off her."
"As you command." Gong leaves, returning a moment later, escorting Red Scarf Veteran Hanna Skarlett.
"Your Excellency," Hanna greets, bowing in deference. "I come to you to request your services in securing devices that, in the wrong hands, lead to nothing but death and destruction."
"Forgive me if I am suspicious," the Magister responds, turning to face Hanna. "The Red Scarves don't have the noblest and most honourable of reputations."
"I am aware of that, sir, and accept its truth, and the part I have played in that truth," Hanna replies. "Nevertheless, I humbly request that you and your staff secure and guard these five gemstones," she continues, holding out an open box containing five gemstones: a ruby, a diamond, an emerald, a citrine, and a sapphire, all the size of a deck of cards.
"Five gemstones?" the Magister questions. "What is so dangerous about gemstones?"
"These are not normal gemstones, Your Excellency," Hanna explains. "These are ancient examples of dragon technology. They are known as the 'Elemental Crystals'."
"Please explain," the Magister prompts.
"With permission, I'd like to demonstrate," Hanna requests.
"If you must," the Magister agrees. "But be aware that if you try anything, the General will not hesitate to take action."
"Thank you and understood, Your Excellency: I assure you I will do nothing untoward." Hanna places the box on the floor, and takes out the ruby. "This one is the Fire Crystal," she explains. "For those who can use it, it allows them to control fire." Hanna extends an arm, hand open, palm up, and conjures a small fireball above the palm. She proceeds to play with the form, shape, and size of the fireball, twisting it into spirals, splitting it into tendrils, and finishing with a tall column before extinguishing it entirely. "As you can see, dangerous stuff in the wrong hands," she concludes, returning the Crystal to the box. "I know from… personal experience."
"I see," the Magister muses, then pauses for several moments, deep in thought. "Very well, I will honour your request, and will ensure that these artefacts are secured and guarded."
"A thousand thankyous, Your Excellency." Hanna bows once more. "Now if you'll forgive me, I must take leave. I have… personal matters to attend to."
"Of course," the Magister agrees.
Hanna bows one last time and departs, Gong escorting her to the Palace entrance.
While he waits for his general to return, the Magister picks up each of the Elemental Crystals, and analyses it. The vixen is correct: these are no normal crystals. They are clearly very finely crafted, yet they're also cloudy‑ The cloudiness is moving‽ What secrets do you hold, I wonder?
As the Magister finishes inspecting the Crystals, General Gong returns. "What shall we do with them, Your Excellency?"
The Magister closes the box. "We need to understand these Crystals if we're going to protect them. I shall speak with my best crystal researchers, Matthias Flynn and his daughter Sally, without delay."