====Diablo 2 and Lord of Destruction (and all character classes) do not belong to me.====

Lacalya snarled and glared at the old man. Nihlathak, Harrogath's only remaining clan elder sneered back with equal malice, "You gamble poorly, assasin."

Lacalya leaned back, one hand reaching back to wrap around the handle of one of her war fists. Deciding that shedding blood in town was the not the best idea, the hand slipped slyly to her hip; she would deal with him later. "I think this entire little 'gambling stand' is rigged."

Nihlathak snorted indignantly, "It's not, I assure you." He turned around and rummaged through a chest. Turning around once more, he held up a finely crafted coronet, "Ah, how about this? I'm quite sure it is bound to be something of value."

The assasin narrowed her eyes. Alas, she could not resist it: just the notion of obtaining a coronet possessing one of the more legendary powers was worth the risk...and, at fifty-thousand gold, how could she lose? Tossing up a bundle of gold, a winning smile across her lips, she took up her half of the exchange. The elder returned the smile and did an about-face, packing up all the rest of the items.

Lacalya placed the coronet upon her head, and sauntered over to Deckard Cain, the last of the Horadrim. "Identify it, please."

Cain frowned, taking the ornament in his hands...and that was what it turned out to be, a useless ornament.

Upon hearing this news, Lacalya fumed with white-hot rage. Marching over to where the old man normally boiled his grub, thoroughly intent on making sure that he was BARELY the only-remaining clan elder.

After covering half the distance with amazing speed, the assasin stopped short of just running into a large, muscled figure. Snarling, she bared her teeth and snapped, "Watch where you are you going, clumsy o--" her sentence was cut off midway as she realized just who she was talking to.

"Lacalya, it has been a while," the husky voice said, a hint of mirth in the statement.

Snorting, Lacalya assumed a nonchalant stance, watching the barbarian move out of the way to make room for the necromancer and a scantily-clad dressed sorceress to proceed through the portal. "It has, has it not?" Hazel eyes watched the magic-wielding pair intently, "Obviously, packing proper clothes was not in the idea box, was it, Tirzah?"

The sorceress cast a glare at the assasin, though it was obvious that both were equally amused. "No, I cannot say much for your choice of wear either, Lacalya."

The assasin smirked and looked behind the newcomers' shoulders at the warrior leaning primly against the door frame. "The healer says the potions are priced at 250 gold pieces each. Would you say that is a good deal?" The amazon's voice was silky, a gentle croon. Ice blue eyes examined the backs of the others before going back to Lacalya's.

Lacalya shrugged, "She needs the money, Elytaine. And we are all for the same cause," a murderous glance to the necromancer, "Isn't that right, Alerrath?"

The necromancer grunted, "I am surprised you remember my name." The bone helm was removed from his face, one silvery eyebrow raised, "Why must you always suspect me of not being completely good, hmn?"

Lapidoth coughed. Tirzah shifted stance. Elytaine cast a casual glance to the healing rooms. Lacalya knew better than to answer that.

Grinning in triumph, Alerrath nodded, "Yes, I am for the same cause, my dear."

Tirzah made an impatient grunt, "So, what are we doing now? I thought we were going to pick up a few supplies and wait 'til morning to explore the cave."

Lacalya leaned back on her heeled, laughing, "'Explore'? My dear sorceress, if there is anything to explore, it would be the dead barbarians littered over the icy grounds."

A flash of rage glazed over Lapidoth's eyes, a temper tightly leashed. Lacalya chose to ignore it and continued, "Why wait for morning? By the time we get out of the cave, it will be nightfall."

Alerrath grumbled at Tirzah, "That is what I was trying to tell you."

Tirzah pretended not to hear, "Well, if that is the case, we will pick up a few supplies, then head back." She cast a thoughtful gaze around, "Are we missing a few people?"

Lacalya raked a gloved hand through her hair, "I saw a paladin. It's hard to miss them when their armor just RADIATES with holy light. We was with a druid, the men of the wood."

Alerrath swallowed, "A druid, hm?"

The assasin nodded. Tirzah broke the awkward silence, "I will go...talk with Larzuk," and scurried off.

Snapping to attention, Lapidoth said rather stiffly, "Me, too," and followed close to Tirzah.

Elytaine rolled her eyes and slipped back into the healing rooms: leaving Lacalya and Alerrath. "So, what about this...druid?"

Laughing, Lacalya threw an arm around the necromancer's neck, ableit gently, "He is a pleasant fellow. Reserved." She gave him a sultry smile, "We have a lot to talk about."

(The intros are almost over!)