A/N: Short chapter for tonight. I've really not been in the right mood to be writing stuff so I'm sorry if it sucks. :/

On another note, I've been asked to do a fic from my cousin based around the little mermaid... but with DN characters. She's not great at writing - so she says - and has asked me to write it for her. I don't know though that any of you would enjoy that. Am I wrong? I'd like your opinions on this idea.

Alright, anyways, enjoy the chapter!

(Lara P.O.V)

My parents and Mello were so lucky.

They were in Bolivia right now surveying the area, while I was stuck at the estate with Mello and Matt's kids. Not that they weren't fun, but I really wanted to be the one to find Excalibur. But at least Lucas was as disappointed as me, so at least we had each other to talk about our disappointment. But, other than that, it wasn't much of a step up. My thoughts didn't stray far from the case of Excalibur, and when they did they focused on Lucas.

I really thought that while our parents were mucking about with myths, I'd be able to tell Lucas how I felt. But the thought of knowing Lucas was only thirteen and barely interested in girls at the moment stopped me in my tracks. It was rather annoying listening to my thoughts urge me on to tell him, then my gut interrupting and telling me it was a bad idea.

I really didn't know what to do in this instant.

I sat beside Matt as he watched on with his monitor, Ink napping in his lap. Although the boy was ten, he was quite small for his age. He reminded me of Conner a bit, but my brother was smaller and a little less talkative than him.

I sighed heavily. "I wish I was with them."

Matt chuckled. "Soon, Lara. Maybe next time. This mission isn't quite for children of your age."

"What's so dangerous about running around a temple?!" I asked begrudgingly.

Suddenly I heard Mello chuckling from the monitor. I had forgotten all about the earpiece he was wearing that could enable him to hear all conversation in the surveillance room.

"Lara," he spoke, "I know that's all it seems like right now…"

Indeed. From what I could see on the monitor, all Mello was doing was walking about and recording some of the carved images. There was no real danger afoot from what I could tell.

He continued, "But I won't risk the possible threat with my children or Near's. Believe me, I know what's right for you all."

I grumbled. "Alright, but I still dislike being cooped up when all the action is with you guys."

Lucas suddenly came into the room and grabbed a headset to listen in on what we were talking about. "Did ya find it yet?"

"The dais?"Mello answered. "Nope. I'm starting to think this was all for not."

"It should be there. Research says it's in Bolivia."

I looked towards the blonde. "What exactly is this… dais?"

He handed me a book as soon as he sat down, the page already turned for me. "The dais is said to map out where Avalon is. Avalon is where King Arthur and his sword are said to have been sent after Arthur died in his battle with Mordred."

"The book we researched said that the temple I'm searching now has never been breached due to traps and hostile animals. I took the under-roads though and managed to get in without much trouble."

"Leave it to dad to always find a loophole in the process." Lucas smiled out. "Though I'd liked to have helped."

Mello sighed. "I'm sorry, son. But I…"

"Couldn't risk it." Lucas finished. "I know. Still, I'm not seeing any…"

There suddenly came a loud noise from the headsets. Propellers maybe? They sounded like it was coming from a helicopter. But… how…?

We looked on the monitors and saw exactly what Mello was seeing…

(Mello P.O.V)

…hundreds… there were hundreds of men dressed in uniform. I'm sure the number was smaller… but this definitely wasn't good either way.

Across a pit and a shoddy rope bridge, there was the dais. A large stone depicting where Excalibur and Arthur may be. I couldn't read it from the stone I was hiding behind… but it was beautiful all the same. Had it not been for the men in uniform I'd be able to get a better look. But this…

I ducked the moment I heard bullets ricochet off the stone I was behind and readied my pistols. I didn't normally use them, but if my life was in danger…

"HOLD YOUR FIRE!" Someone called.

The bullets stopped and the voice spoke again.

"Don't be alarmed, friend! My men have itchy fingers, and I apologise for this. Please, come out of hiding."

I did so slowly and soon the voice came into view.

It was a nobleman that much I knew. He bore the signet ring of his family, and another gem on his other hand. He was well dressed and well pampered, meaning this man was your typical 'I got everything from daddy' noble. In fact… he looked a little too familiar for comfort. I'm too sure I'd seen his face somewhere.

He grinned a bit when I came into the light. "Keehl, is it? My father spoke about you. Apparently your own father retired mine and sent you into his work. You were the one that ran off… the one raised by L himself."

I showed no surprise to him, but I was more than mortified at the fact he went digging into my past. Another thing I hated about the noble populace; they were all too nosey.

I rested my arms, but still held my pistols. "You are correct, sir. But might I inquire as to who you are? I'm afraid I'm terrible with remembering faces."

He chuckled. "James. James Rottwood."

Rottwood? Well, no wonder his face seemed familiar. James was a friend of my elder brother Emmett. They had a falling out though after I ran off.

He gestured towards me. "Please, come join me."

I stayed put. "I'm afraid I work alone, Rottwood. Meaning I'd rather be here on my own than with you."

He grinned slyly at me before stepping onto the rope bridge.

"You haven't changed, have you Mihael."

Another thing about Rottwood… he had a thing for me that I didn't find the least bit comfortable.

Matt suddenly spoke up. "Who is this guy? How does he know you?"

I growled. "Keep silent, Matt. He'll be able to hear you if you speak too loudly."

"But –"

"I'll be fine. Just make sure the kids are silent as well."

Rottwood finally stepped out in front of me and gave me a hungry look. "Mihael, you've never looked better."

"Shut it. Just tell me what you want with that dais."

He chuckled to himself before snaking a hand onto my hip. "The same as you, blondie. Fame, fortune, and to find Excalibur. Our King from centuries past no longer needs it, so why not go after it?"

"And if the myth is false?"

He suddenly started to guide me to the dais. "I think this stone says otherwise, Mihael."

Without much time we made it to the dais and I could see the inscriptions upon it much better. They had been etched into the stone carefully and showed a map of the eastern continents. From England all the way down to Africa. Little points were marked on the map that indicated there was more than just this dais to find. If anything, this meant as a map to find something else other than Excalibur. But… what else could there be found?

Rottwood started up again. "My men and I have been here for hours on end, and I've discovered that Excalibur would be here in Kazakhstan." He pointed on the map. "Because the symbol upon it is the same crest that our Queen bears now."

I examined it for myself and found that he was indeed correct… but there was a slight difference. The queen had the crest of the lion and unicorn, but this one had a raven and Lion. It was as close as we could get to the crest of the queen since the crest over England was nothing like the one she had now. A dragon holding a cross? That was far from our queen's emblem today. I suppose Kazakhstan was where to next.

I heard a buzz in my ear before Matt whispered. "I got the full map. Get out of there."

I grinned slyly. "Thank you, Matt."

Rottwood took one look of confusion at me before my fist connected to his face.

(Lara P.O.V)

I have never, in my life, seen Lucas' dad so able to take care of himself!

I believe he was able to beat up and knock out more than a few mercenaries before making his escape. Bullets and screams of angry men following him. They never caught the man though. He was far too swift for them, and he more than was able to avoid getting hit by any of them.

"Pack your bags, Matt!" He announced when he was far from danger. "I'll need you to come with me to Kazakhstan!"

"What about us!?" I asked excitedly.

He scoffed. "Now what do you think?"

Lucas was the one to answer in a huff. "Too dangerous."

Matt patted his head. "Next time, bud. I promise."

He merely slumped to the floor, me along with him.

When we both were facing each other I spoke up. "This stinks."

"Like a startled skunk in a manure factory." He replied.