*Chapter 4*
~Destiny Scrolls~
The dining hall was abuzz with gossip as the assembled residents awaited the Lord's arrival. Why had he called them? What was going on? What had their benefactor learned that was so important? The worried murmurs ceased only when Xavier himself slowly hobbled into the hall. The old crippled man limped towards his chair at the head of the long oak table with the aid of a cane where he slowly seated himself. He set his worn cane aside, folded his hands on the table, and collected his thoughts before beginning. Everyone was silent, wondering what he was going to tell them.
"Thank you all for coming so promptly, I appreciate it." The aged Lord swept his gaze over those assembled before him before he continued. "This morning I received a letter from an old friend of mine. This letter warned of a great potential danger. Something was stolen from the ancient temple located on Muir Isle, where this friend lives. If this item were to fall into the wrong hands the world we know could possibly be destroyed or changed beyond recognition." If they hadn't been paying attention before, they certainly were now, Lord Xavier rarely, if ever, exaggerated. "This friend seeks my assistance in recovering this object, and I have agreed. But I'm not as young as I used to be and my health isn't what I wish it to be. So, regrettably, I must ask some of you to help me in this matter." Charles paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in. "I am unable to say much more on this matter save to those who will be going, but I will try to answer any questions that I can. So are there any questions or volunteers?" Xavier asked, bracing himself for the inevitable questions that were about to come.
"Do you know where this thing was taken?" Rahne asked.
"I am not entirely certain as of yet, but is most likely that it has been taken to the European mainland." Xavier replied.
"When do the volunteers leave?" Roberto questioned.
"As soon as I narrow the search area and arrange for transport, the earliest it could be is around two weeks or so." Xavier answered.
"Can you tell us what we'd be looking for?" Ray asked, sounding rather irritated.
"No, I can only tell those who will be sent to retrieve it." Charles said apologetically.
"Can I go!?" A wide-eyed Nathan asked eagerly.
"No, Nathan, I'm afraid that you are a bit too young to go. And I don't think that your parents would appreciate it either." Xavier replied, greatly amused at the youngster's enthusiasm. "Are there any other questions?" Lord Xavier's question was met with silence. "Now who are the volunteers?" Xavier asked. He just hoped they all wouldn't want to go. The first volunteer was no surprise to anyone present.
"I'll go." Logan said. It was all he needed to say, and Charles nodded in agreement. The next to step forward, however, was a surprise.
"I'd like to go." Jean offered. This stunned all those present, most especially her husband.
"Are you sure Jean? What about your family?" The Lord inquired curiously, stepping in before her husband Scott could say anything.
"Of course I'm sure, why else would I have volunteered? And as for my family, they'll be fine without me. Nathan has said numerous times that he wants his father to spend more time with him, if I leave he'll have too!" She said cheerfully. Scott looked a bit guilty as he slid a bit lower in his chair. "And besides, I may not be as powerful as you, Lord Xavier, but I can still read minds and that is a useful skill is it not?" She asked jokingly.
"Well I don't know." Scott said after a pause. "Nathan, what do you think? Should Mommy go?" Scott asked his young son. Nathan made a show of thinking hard about his answer before he replied.
"If Mommy really wants to go, then she should go. You get to go and do stuff all the time Daddy, now it's Mommy's turn!" Said Nathan cheerily, applying his childish logic to the situation. "So long as Mommy comes home in time for my birthday it's okay with me." He said finally.
"I suppose that settles it then. Since your birthday is a long way off I see no problem with your request." Xavier said to the young boy. Jean appeared to be satisfied with the Lord's decision though Scott wasn't quite as thrilled. They'd probably argue about it later, but Scott would still lose.
"I wish to go as well." Piotr Rasputin, the man Bobby called Colossus, volunteered. The Lord nodded his approval to the muscular Russian while wondering who else would join this mysterious quest.
"I want to go too." A young, feminine voice called out. Everyone turned to find the speaker and once again were surprised.
"May I ask why, Katharine?" Xavier asked.
"Well, for one, I've always wanted to visit Europe. I've heard some interesting things about it and want to see for myself." Kitty said.
"Half-Pint," Logan interrupted. "This isn't some sort of vacation, if that's your reason."
"I wasn't finished," Kitty replied, irritated at the interruption. "For another, I could get into places that most others can't without getting caught. And if I do, not many would believe it, I can look very innocent if I want to. If this thing that we are supposed to get is locked away in a castle, I can walk right to it. Is that a better reason Mr. Logan?" The Shadowcat asked the feral man. He only growled some oaths in various languages in response. Kitty listened intently, especially when she heard the last venomous string of curses, looked confused for a minute, and then she burst out laughing.
"What's so funny," he growled.
"What makes you think that girls are in any way related to squirrels, birds, or foxes?" She countered, grinning when her comment had the desired effect. The Wolverine was shocked to silence, how had she known what he said? "I know that you are not fluent in Germanic Mr. Logan, neither am I. But I do know at least as much as you do, if not a bit more. Which is another reason why I should go; if we end up in the Germanic States I could try and help with translations some." On that note, she rested her case, awaiting the Lord's decision. Xavier had to admit that she had some valid points. How she knew any Germanic was another one of her mysteries, but now was not the time to ponder it.
"Alright Katharine, if you are sure you wish to go then I will do nothing to stop you." He said.
"Thank you Lord Xavier, I'm sure." She said confidently, pleased at getting her way.
"Is there anyone else who wishes to go?" Xavier asked. One hand shot up.
"Can I go?" Bobby pleaded, "Please, please, please!"
Xavier chuckled at his eager pleas. Now that Katharine is going he'll do anything to follow. He admires her so much; too bad she strikes him down every chance she gets. I know she's had trouble with that Lance boy for some time now, perhaps that is the reason she avoids courting of any kind. Xavier cleared his thoughts and allowed Bobby to join the group as well, much to the dismay of Kitty.
"I think we have enough volunteers for the moment, if any others are needed I will be sure to let you know. Now will you five please come to my office after dinner? I will inform you further on your task there." Xavier then grasped his cane before slowly rising to leave. As he departed the hall began to fill with the whispered beginnings of conversations. Many speculated on what exactly could be so important that their Lord had asked this of them, others wondered what would become of their friends on their journey through the outside world. Kitty just cursed the fact that she would be stuck with Bobby for god-only-knew how many months. How on earth was she going to be able to keep from killing him that long?
***
As requested the chosen five met after dinner in the chamber of the mansion known as Lord Charles Xavier's Office. They took seats in the somewhat spacious room near the library, moving papers, scrolls, and books as needed. Logan lounged against a wall instead of sitting, watching Kitty recoil away from the excited Iceman with something akin to amusement. Jean and Piotr both shook their heads at such childish behavior, praying that the Lord would arrive soon to distract them. Their wish was granted shortly.
A possible quarrel between the two junior members was averted when the door opened to admit the crippled Lord. He slowly wound his way among the chairs, stacks of books, and his guests on his way to a large, very comfortable chair at the back of the room. As he went towards his seat, the Lord sampled the emotions and surface thoughts of those present to better gauge what their reactions might be. The Lord let a sigh escape as he carefully lowered himself down, sweeping the room with his gaze. The silence was broken by an important question.
"Lord Xavier, what exactly is it that we are going to find?" Bobby asked.
"The Destiny Scrolls." He said simply.
"What are those? How are these scroll things so powerful?" Bobby inquired.
"These scrolls were written by an ancient seer known only as Destiny. She was born blind but gifted with the ability to see possible futures. Written on these scrolls are prophecies of the future, the future of all mankind." The Lord explained.
"How can this change the world though?" Bobby wondered.
"The future is not a set thing, Robert; Destiny only saw the strongest possibilities of what is to come. If someone were to read them, there is a chance that they might seek to influence events so that the future written does not happen. If a person with dark motivations held these scrolls they could change things however they see fit, they might even destroy the world." Xavier replied.
"Oh, I see." Bobby trailed off as what he had just heard sunk in.
"So what do we look for Charles?" Logan asked.
"The scrolls are sealed in a wooden box of Celtic design; it is protected by a magic seal that preserves the chest and its contents. If the seal is broken then the scrolls with eventually disintegrate, if left intact they will last forever. You need not worry; you will know it when you see it." The Lord assured them.
"When we get the chest what do we do with it?" Jean asked.
"Bring it back here. Once I have it I will contact my friend and we shall discuss what should be done with it." Xavier answered. After a pause the Lord spoke again. "Since there are no more questions you may leave. However, I ask that you tell no one what I have told you. Sleep well." He said as he levered himself up, heading for his bedchambers.
The five wished their noble-born friend a goodnight as they disbanded, also heading for their rooms. Jean, Logan, and Piotr went down one hallway, Kitty and Bobby another. The three adults traveled in companionable silence as one by one they peeled off to their separate rooms. In the other hallway, however, Bobby was chatting up a storm. As the two young adults went their own ways Kitty once again forced herself to not strangle her annoying friend. If he weren't so annoying then maybe I could get along with him Kitty thought. But this is Bobby; it's in his nature to be annoying. Ugh, God please give me the strength, PLEASE!