Master Christoph and Khan stepped aside and began to set up for their little "experiment in mind control" as the young priest called it, roping Cassandra into their preparations. "What exactly are you going to do?" she asked, curiously.

Christoph stared at the seal for a moment, hefting it in his hands. "If I'm reading the sigils on the center of the vessel correctly, all that is required is that all three people whose memories are encased in this cylinder put a hand on each end and the center. Once all three are in contact with the surface, the containment spell will release and all that is within will be released to the rightful owner. But my King wishes to view those memories, not relive them or reintegrate them into his or the others minds. So, we must seamlessly add the filters and restraints into the original spell which will keep the contents more as tales to be read and not memories of events and emotions once experienced. Master Khan and I have worked out the spells – we just need to weave them into the design of the original."

"Weave" Cassandra mused. "Would a latch hook and a piece of thread from the Fates help to attach your spells to what is already there?"

Khan smiled. "Told you she was smart – and cute."

Cassandra blushed. "It's just that – well we never did figure out why the Fates or the Ladies of the Lake gave us those things."

"And the thread is blank – no life essence on it that I can detect" Khan commented. "So using it to bind the seal should work."

Christoph nodded approvingly. "A good thought, young Master. We can form a physical representation of the net we will create with our spells for the cylinder to be cradled in as you and our King and Queen lay hands on the object. The focus will be that visible net, the power will be in our spells and our outcome…"

"Will be access to the contents of the cylinder with being infected by it" Cassandra finished his thoughts, her eyes glittering at the prospect of being part of this magical circle.

Baird watched the magic users converse thoughtfully. "I'm not concerned that their spells will work. Between Cassandra's mathamagics gift and Khan's enthusiastic confidence I can't imagine any magic not bowing to their wills. But…"

"But I'm worried about what happens to you all once knowledge hits your senses" Stone said suddenly, parking himself behind Baird and Flynn. "You may think that these 'filters' they are constructing will keep the worst of it out but emotion is a funny thing. And from what I've heard here in the last day or so – I'm guessing there is a lot of strong emotion locked up with those memories. What if one or all of you lose focus? Can you be overwhelmed despite their magical barriers?"

Rowan and Arthur looked at each other, both frowning. "It's possible" Rowan admitted slowly. "But I'm not sure what else we could do to protect ourselves."

Arthur's head dipped as he stared at the ground, an uncomfortable thought playing in his head. "What if we had someone stand at the ready to pull us back out of the spell – someone to absorb some of the power of the memories we're going to be seeing?"

"Rather dangerous idea" Rowan replied, looking at Baird with troubled eyes. "No one here really capable of that kind of emotional and magical support."

"Christoph would stand behind Khan" Arthur continued, staring out into space and ignoring his sister's concern. "His connection to our young abbot and his magical ability is strong. Galais could stand behind me…"

"Sire, I am an amateur magic user at best." Jenkins huffed. He had only just entered the room with the tea caddy when he heard his friend's words and was surprised and yet a little flattered to be considered.

"You're a better mage than you give yourself credit for" Arthur replied quietly, looking back at his old friend. "And you're immortal, touched by the Almighty because of your faith and incorruptibility. That should be all the protection you will need – and me as well."

"And what of your sister?" Michael's voice was low and dangerous as he moved to join the conversation. "Who did you have in mind for her?"

"Not you" Arthur snarled. "You're part of the problem here."

"Ask father to join us" Rowan said thoughtfully. "He's certainly strong enough to take the kind of hit we're talking about."

"What about Lucifer?" Baird asked suddenly, not exactly sure why his name suddenly popped into her head. "He, at least, seemed fond of you. Do you think he'd be willing to help?"

"NO!" Michael roared, forcing himself between Arthur and his sister. "You will NOT put yourself into the hands of that Fallen! I forbid it! You are MY STUDENT. You will, this once, do as I command!" Michael's voice rang with fury and fear.

"And so much for a truce" Rowan sighed, waving off her brother. She put her hands on the rigid form of the angel in front of her and forced him to turn to look at her. "You know - it's a good thing you're pretty because otherwise I'd launch your ass out of this library." She rolled her eyes at Baird, a slight smile on her lips as she stepped back towards her brother. "Men! Really, you can't live with them and you can't kill them. And it appears that angels are no better."

"Why can't you kill them?" Baird asked, playing along, hoping Rowan's nonchalant attitude would ease the tension in the room.

"Police take a dim view to bodies turning up" Rowan said with a shrug. "Anyway - not Lucifer. That boy can't hold a thought in his head longer than two seconds. Worst case of ADHD I've ever seen in an immortal. Hells bells, Arthur, your OCD seems normal next to Luci."

"I'm NOT OCD!" Arthur protested, trying not to laugh at the thought of the Devil being diagnosed with an attention deficit disorder. "I just like things to run smoothly."

His sister smiled, glad to see her over protective sibling was starting to calm down. "Says the man who lined up glass bottles by size and color when we were at target practice."

Khan jovial laugh filled the room, the young monk unable to hold in the mirth anymore. "Dang! And I thought I was bad! I guess that settles it - we must be related. My monks complain about my organizing our weapons by size and color even after they have been used. Now I can just point at you and say it could be worse!"

Cassandra couldn't help the giggle that escaped her at the thought of the muscular young fighter carefully lining up blades by their shapes. Jones shrugged, a grin on his face. "What's wrong with being organized?" he quipped.

"Anyway... not Lucifer. So who then?" Baird asked, chancing a quick look back at the archangel. Michael was still standing close, glaring at Rowan and her two 'brothers', frustrated that she had, again, chosen to ignore his wishes. She sighed and turned away.

"Why anyone?" Stone questioned suddenly. He jerked a thumb at the young thief's now enchanted laptop for emphasis. "Whatever or whoever that is was Rowan's head during her nightmare was smart enough and strong enough to make himself heard over the other sounds in her dream. Why can't he stand guard over her psyche and Baird and I can stand behind her to catch her if she falls?"

Rowan and Baird looked at each other speculatively. "That might work" Rowan admitted. "He seemed likely to want to make sure I didn't get roughed up worse than I already was. And he'd know what to push off if he saw me being overwhelmed."

"Well it works for me if it works for you" Baird replied with a shrug.

"How do we tell him what we're going to do so he can be ready?" Khan asked, head cocked like a bird as he studied his new "faux" sister.

"I suspect he'll figure it out when things start to go south" Arthur replied, pulling his blade and its sheath from his back and laying it on the table. "An avatar that in tune with the mind it's inhabiting will be watching for any threat." He glanced back at Jenkins with a smile. "So, little brother, ready to watch my back again?"

Jenkins smiled. "As always, my friend, as always."