~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elizabeth and Gwen opened the old wooden doors to the Council's archives.
The tall towers of bookcases, held books of all colors, sizes and seemed to reach for miles above them and encircled them, and at the very top was a dome, painted with a large cross.
The floor was high quality marble, with black crosses engraved every few steps. Even the staircases they connected to each level were part bookcase.

"How far up?" Gwen questioned.

"Not up." Elizabeth headed for the back of the archives. "Back."
The dark, musty smell was enough to keep normal people away. "Don't stand there." Elizabeth pulled a book out and a black cross tile opened.

"Why?" Gwen caught herself before falling into the open hole.

"That's why." Elizabeth began her downward climb into the darkness. "You coming?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back inside the Drummond castle, Wesley thought it would be a good idea for her to have a sparring partner. Both dressed in sweat clothes and boxing gloves, Alex had her red hair pulled back into a high braided ponytail.
"This isn't a game Alexandria." Wesley reminded her as he connected with a punch to her jaw.

She grumbled to herself before getting up from the mat.

Wesley shook his head, and then touched her shoulders. "You're very tense, loosen up."

"Easier said then done, by the way what happened to your hair Alex?"" joked Angelo from the doorway.
He had to dodge the flying boxing gloves.

~~~~~~~~~~
Wesley picked up a kendo stick, and began to hit her with it.
"What, ouch," Alex rubbed her leg, as Wesley smacked her in the shoulder. "Wesley!" He ignored her, as a smack was felt in her ribs. "Hey!"

Wesley smacked her hand. Angelo tried not to laugh from the doorway.

"You're hitting me with a kendo stick," She dodged the kendo stick, by jumping backwards. "and you want me to relax?"

Angelo tossed her a kendo stick and watched Alex do a poor job of defending. He shook his head, maybe Wesley would smack some sense into that head of hers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anya looked up to see a dark skinned gentleman coming towards her. "Can I help you?" she asked.

The gentleman was older, with strands of gray throughout his black hair. "Is the owner of this establishment available?" His English accent was a bit hard to understand right away.

"No, I'm sorry, he isn't here, but I can help you...." Anya smiled.

"I'm afraid not young lady. Do you expect him back soon?" he questioned.

"He's usually here in the evenings..." she replied.

"Thank you." The gentleman began to browse the store.

~~~~~~~~~~~