"Speech: Halkeginian"

'Thoughts/telepathy'

'Spells and the like'

"Speech: Common/Dwarven"

"Speech: Draconic"

It is the day of the familiar exhibit, and all students participating are there to show just why they and their familiar are the best. Especially since the princess of their country is there to watch.

But one can see a nervous wreck of a girl pacing behind the stands waiting anxiously for her familiar to show up.

Louise does not know weather or not Raskreia will be on time, in fact she had only seen the woman yesterday morning for a brief moment, from a distance one might add, as she retrieved her tiger into one of those portal thingies she is so fond of. Since then she had seen neither head nor tail of her.

This fact is especially infuriating since the princess deigned to visit her last night to meet with her and to see what kind of familiar she had summoned, and the fact that she could not show her dear old friend her single accomplishment was not something she liked all that much.

Now it is almost their turn and Raskreia still had not shown up, in fact Louise already asked to be placed last in order. And just as she was about to abandon hope of the woman ever showing up in the first place yet another tear in reality opens up and out steps the subject of her thoughts. Accompanied by her tiger, of course, and an unfamiliar man.

"Hey Louise, hope we are not late. Kind of forgot the time there." If she wasn't so awfully glad the woman had made it in the first place she would have berated her, as it was she was beyond caring.

"You are just on time, and who is that man?" the man to Louise looks rather well taken care of, she might even go as far as to assume him to be a noble.

"Why, how rude of me. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zarhon Witlash, daring adventurer, loremaster, friend to all women, and the best performer of arts you will ever meet. And what is the name of the delicate flower I am currently gazing at?" 'Well he certainly knows how to introduce himself' Thought Louise at the rather unusual introduction.

"My name is Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière, a pleasure to meet you good sir. Not that it is a problem, but why are you here?" Raskreia at that snaps her fingers and has the sort of look you get when you realize you have forgotten something.

"Ah well, he is here to help me with my performance. He will be playing the violin as I sing. I hope that is not outside the boundaries of the rules." That is indeed a good point, one that should have been considered earlier, luckily Louise knows for a fact that it is not against the rules, it just might deduct from the rating if the familiar itself (or in this case herself) is not the one doing the actual performing.

"No it is not against the rules, just make sure you don't get overshadowed by him and it should be fine." This statement makes the duo about to perform grin at one another.

"Great, lets get on stage then come on Rask, don't want our audience to keep waiting." As the three of them exit after being called up, bard and sorcerer in the back and mage up front, they can see that many of the people present seem to be confused as to why three people are exiting instead of just a student.

Louise quickly bows towards the audience, and bows once more a bit more deeply towards the princess, "Greetings to everyone, this is my familiar, Raskreia," there were a number of confused mutterings at the fact that there is a human familiar that had been summoned but no one really said anything. "and today she will sing for us, with Zarhon Witlash adding his violin."

Louise quickly steps aside leaving the stage for the two adventurers. Both stand still for a few seconds mentally preparing themselves when Zarhon begins the performance by stringing the first note quickly followed by Raskreia starting to sing.

[Song: Lilium, Elfen Lied (violin cover + lyrics), I am not going to write down the song text]

Almost instantly the entirety of the audience is captivated by the song of almost otherworldly quality, despite none of them understanding what is actually being said. The singing and the violin compliment one another to near perfection.

Louise is quite surprised not having expected the performance being anything noteworthy having been to quite a few operas, being a noble. But these two could compete with any of the famous performers of the land.

The princess, Henrietta, is proud of her friend of having summoned such a talented, if unusual, familiar.

Kirche for her part is currently enjoying the eye candy that both performers represent while immersing herself in the music.

Tabitha and Siesta are quietly sitting and listening in rapt attention to every bit of the song, as Sylphid is excitedly pacing behind the stands.

The performance goes on for a few minutes and by the end of it many, including Raskreia herself, have spilled tears from the emotions being put into it. Just as the song reaches its climax however it is interrupted by a loud booming noise throwing everyone into a state of confusion.

Before anyone can identify the source of the noise it repeats itself two more times. By then a guard rushes into view shouting frantically "A giant golem is trying to break into the tower!" which sends the audience into a state of panic, with the exception of a number of people. The princess being evacuated by her guard.

Most notable Tabitha instantly mounted Sylphid and flew off, and the royal guard rushes to get the princess to safety.

Raskreia and Zarhon look at one another both letting out a sigh of frustration at the same time "I hate when I cant finish a song." Zarhon states with Raskreia nodding in agreement. "are we going to help?"

"Well… considering that my summoner has already rushed of and she can hardly use any magic… yes id like to not have a kid die if I can help it."

"Eh, fair enough. YO FELNIIR! GET OVER HERE!" to his mild surprise the cat nudges him in the back already right next to them.

"You have become even less perceptive, bard." One could hear the smugness dripping out of her voice at Zarhon's startled expression.

"Right then, lets do strategy: Thorgal special." He said and all three grin at one another, followed by a number of chants shared by bard and sorceress focused on the tigress. 'Haste' 'Displacement' 'Blood money: Legendary proportions' 'Heroism: Greater'

Before Zarhon can throw on more spells on the suitably intimidating tiger he is stopped by Raskreia "That should do it for, cant do a full buff routine without Kwalin anyways."

Both bard and sorceress jump on to of the now massive feline which then darts off into the direction of the commotion.

Once they reach the intended area they are treated to a somewhat interesting view.

A giant mass of stone is currently trying to break into the academy tower with a cloaked figure standing on top of the thing. A, relatively, small blue dragon is flying around it as both its riders are flinging fire and ice at the golem. A few guards are standing back uncertain as to what to do exactly. And lastly a young pink haired mage is standing not ten meters away from the thing trying to cast spells at it.

Trying being the key word for the most part. Oh she got a magic reaction alright. Just not in the way that she wanted. Instead of a fireball hitting the golem as she wanted, she produced an explosion that hit the side of the tower, cracking it.

This goes not unnoticed by the people from Golarion, Tabitha nor the thief.

On orders of its master the golem once more raises its arm to punch the wall where there is now a quite visible crack, and the wall bursts open, the thief instantly dashing along the golem's still extended arm into the vault beyond.

Meanwhile outside Raskreia and Zarhon have now dismounted and are observing the happenings in the back as Felniir rushes the golem over thrice her size in the back.

Mid charge chanting a quick 'Instant Enemy' focused on constructs she pounces on the thing, only barely making it take a slight step back as the other observers pause for a moment of surprise at seeing a three meter tall tiger pounce a ten meter tall stone construct, and actually leave behind sizable gashes in the stone where her claws and teeth struck AND make it take a step back.

The golem tries to dislodge the thing firmly holding on to its back but manages not to reach between where its shoulder blades would be if it had them leaving Felniir to viciously tear into its back further. Going so far as to make parts of its right arm fall off.

But before she can do any more serious damage she is interrupted by taking a lucky hit from a sizable boulder to the chest flinging her of the golem, which has now healed by the renewed attentions of its creator.

Felniir now dislodged of her would be pray but hardly hurt makes for another attempt against the enemy, tough now intent on mauling the puppeteer rather than the puppet. Yet before she can do so, or anyone truly threaten the person, they meld into their golem vanishing from sight. At the same time the golem stops repairing from any damage caused to it by the continuous streams of spells coming from Tabitha, Kirche and the newly joined headmaster and Colbert.

Osmond looks quite panicked, understandable really since his school has just been attacked and probably robbed.

As one both staff members fly up through the breach followed by Tabitha and Kirche jumping in off of Sylphid.

Louise looks about ready to cast a spell or go the long way around to reach where the headmaster is but gets interrupted by Raskreia grabbing her and pulling her atop Felniir.

In an impressive display of climbing skill the feline works her way up into the tower up the wall, with two riders holding on to her fur and in the case of Louise being suspended between Zarhon and Raskreia both of whom are holding on one handed.

As they reach the top the quartet catch the tail end of a conversation being shared between those already there finished by Osmond

"- of destruction was stolen."

"Ohh I smell a quest here" Zarhon whispers tohis two friends "The what, -of destruction was stolen?"

But at this point Raskreia was no longer truly paying attention to the conversation, choosing instead to briefly activate her 'Arcane sight' she had long ago made permanent. It's a neat spell really, being basically a beefed up detect magic with the added bonus of awe-inspiring glowing eyes when in use, just one downside she actually SEES magical auras rather than feel them like with detect magic, with varying brightness depending on the power of an aura, which can be rather detrimental if she does not expect something being brighter than she thinks it should be. It is rather like going from a cave into bright sunlight.

Well, as she activates the sight, she almost went blind.

For one the entire room was magical, protected by layers upon layers of protective spells. It would take some serious force to break through them, which was exactly what happened. If her eyes are right, which they should be, these protections only protect against physical and elemental damage. Yet it was broken by what she is assuming to be a force effect, I.E Louise's explosion, weakening it to the breaking point and the golem finishing it off with brute strength.

But that is not what caught (and burned her eye) her eyes. No, no that was just some neat little tidbit of information, nor was it the plethora of very minor magical items (as in so minor they barely register as magical at all) no they are just food for thought at best.

No it is the absolutely blinding auras of two items in this room there is only one kind of item that has that sort of powerful aura.

Artifacts.

She knows a bit about them, their group have even acquired three items that qualify as such. She has a very special book, Thorgal has his cloak, and Kwalin his shield. Zarhon at one point had the chance to gain a deck of many things but said and one quotes "With my luck in gambling I might as well just throw myself of a cliff if I take this."

Artifacts are rare, it would be stupid if they were not. In fact to gain theirs they went through a dungeon that had almost killed them several times, skipping a few details, and at the end once they exited the blasted place it chucked them four months into the future making their vigilante jobs of saving the country from the power hungry necromancer Tom so much harder.

And here they are, three such items… IN ONE PLACE!

Admittedly she only recognized one of them, but that is only because she had already seen one other of the same kind. The other three are an unknown to her.

One, the one she recognizes is a staff, simple make really. Wooden and shod in iron, unremarkable at first glance, well other than the runes inscribed into it. To her it might just be the most beautiful thing she had seen in ages.

Next was a rather large Cauldron, made of what seems to be pure iron. It is four feet in diameter and could easily fit a person honestly if she didn't see its aura she wouldn't think it magical. But the strong necromantic aura coming from it is rather concerning.

And lastly, a small crystalline hourglass, perfect size to fit in a humans hand. The sand within it is flowing endlessly… upwards. Yet to her eyes it is SO much more, to her it looks as though the small thing has an entire lay-line streaming through it, only scaled down. She does not know what it does but damn if she isn't going to find out.

'Now the only question is as to how to get them, with a bit of luck these people don't realize what they have got on their hands here.'

"Raskreia! Have you been listening at all?" the voice of Louise stops her before she starts actually drooling in anticipation.

"Er, kinda. Something about the thief having to be caught and you volunteering to go find them, also a question as to why Felniir is suddenly so large. The answer to the latter is magic." She did in fact hear a bit of what was said but simply chose to pay attention to something more interesting at the time.

"Right, well, you are coming with us. As my familiar it is your duty to do so after all." Giving her summoner a grunt of acceptance she mentally repays the earlier conversation.

Osmond then speaks up once more now that everyone is paying attention once more. "Perhaps we should adjourn this to my office then, and give me some time to call the other staff members."

Osmond's office

Once everyone is situated in the headmasters office he sends out a couple of servants to collect the rest of the staff, for whom they are waiting right now.

Turning towards Osmond Raskreia addresses something that she had caught in the earlier conversation." What did you say earlier about having to move the things in here."

He regards her for a moment, most likely weighing her intentions, before repeating himself "Well, since this place is no longer secure for the time being we will have to move everything to a more secure location. Sadly this will pose a bit of a problem as there is no place large enough to hold them all in this country available. The royal treasury would fit but it is already almost full."

Mentally giving a cheer she makes a show of contemplation "Well, how long would it take for the place to be fixed?"

He now himself needs to think on this "It would take about a month, maybe two, to fix the damage and restore the structure to its previous state. During which the contents would be unsecured."

"What if I told you that I could securely store everything here for you for any amount of time you needed to restore the vault?" She had trouble not appearing giddy at her plan. Zarhon and Felniir, who was now once more normal sized, were giving her curious looks as to where she was going with this as they know very well she rarely does anything for entirely free, nor would she actually steal anything from these people.

The narrowed eyes of Osmond and Colbert told her that they were also trying to figure this out, and Osmond decided to answer her question with a question of his own "I would ask: what is in it for you?"

"Lets say I was interested in buying two, no make that three, items out of this place and would want you consider selling them to me at an acceptable price in exchange for safekeeping everything in here for the duration of the repairs." Judging by the looks she was getting by everyone present they did not expect that reasoning.

"And what would prevent you from taking all of these items for yourself once you have them in your so called safe place?" This was Colbert, and if Raskreia was honest he had a point, then again if she wanted to steal anything from here this place was poorly equipped for keeping her from it, now more than ever.

"Let me put it this way, I have shown my ability to teleport quite often now I believe. This place has no defense against such, if I wanted to steal anything from here I would have done so long ago with you being non the wiser. Why then should I now steal it so blatantly?" no need to mention for now that blind teleportation is rather dangerous and she might have seriously injured herself by trying to do so. But it did seem to placate the man.

"I-I see. And where would you keep these things safe then?" Both the professor and the Headmaster are now beginning to consider her offer. It was potentially a good offer after all, it would not only save them money for transportation of the items but also their storage AND they could make money as well. Money they could put to repairing the vault.

"Why in my home of course, and don't give me those looks, its quite safe."

Osmond gives her a look that says he does not quite believe her. "And pray tell how it is so safe as you claim, and how we would get all these items there in the first place?"

"Because you need me to tell or show you where it is to be able to enter it in the first place, And one can only enter using portals, which is also the method with which I am going to transport everything over."

Osmond seems to be mulling it over and looks back at Raskreia "And what items would you be so interested in buying?"

She quickly casts a Silent image portraying the items in question and judging by the widening of Zarhon's eyes, noticed by only her and Tabitha, he has recognized at least one of the items as well. Of course he has he has encountered this kind of staff too.

"Why are you so interested in these three items in particular, they are nothing special, excepting the cauldron, it being back from the brimiric era. The staff is but a simple, if curios focus, and the hourglass is but a bauble." It took all of her mental effort to not cheer at the fact that they indeed did not know what they had on their hands here. And judging by the bard starting to hum a bardic performance to help her he must be quite excited about the prospect as well.

"Ah well, they are items from my world, or at least I am almost certain they are, as I have seen items almost identical to them before." 'Technically not a lie, I have indeed seen a staff like that before, as well as cauldrons and hourglasses albeit ordinary ones' "And I would like to acquire them to see how they ended up here."

Osmond and Colbert both give her a long stare before looking at one another and simultaneously letting out a sigh. "Very well, I will sell these to you, all three of them, for… lets say five thousand gold" The amount is making the present students choke a bit as that is a really rather large amount of money to them, but Raskreia is only grinning internally further. "And if you can retrieve the staff of destruction I will even lower it down to four thousand."

'FOUR THOUSAND!? For three artifacts HAH! Talk about a bargain!'

But Osmond was not done yet. "But under one condition." 'Apsu damn it, knew it was too good to be true.' Thought Raskreia

"Once they are yours I want you to tell me the real reason you are so interested in these items, I might be old but I am not stupid. I saw how those items drew your attention as soon as you entered the vault , there is more to them than we know, but you do. Don't worry, a deal is a deal and I wont change it. Consider it satisfying an old mans curiosity if you will." Now Raskreia cant help it she bursts out laughing.

"Oh by Torag. Old man, you just made my list of top five favorite people I have met in this place. Deal! I will tell you everything about these things you want to know that I can answer." Colbert seems to want to protest this deal but knows a futile effort when he sees it so he does not even bother.

Osmond simply smiles at the woman, for once not being a pervert about it, and nods. She had a certain charm to her that simply made him like her, she reminded him a bit of Karen in her youth actually. "Very well, but I believe you have a Thief to find and catch."

At this moment Osmond's secretary, as well as the rest of the staff, burst into the office. Well, burst is a bit generous a word to them slowly showing the doors slowly open.

The secretary, miss Longueville walks up to the Headmaster after giving the tigress a calculating glance "Headmaster, I have news of the Thief being spotted in a nearby cottage. We should dispatch someone to retrieve the stolen items and apprehend the thief post haste.

Raskreia and Zarhon share a singular thought 'No way in the hells did a report like that come in this quickly. It has been what? An hour?'

Osmond's eyes twinkle in amusement "Well, I am sure my very qualified staff is willing to join these three fine students, who have already volunteered to help, on such a trip."

Colbert is visibly about to say something but is stopped by a pointed look from the headmaster. The other teachers look anywhere but the old man stating, frankly quite ridiculous, reasons as to why they cannot undertake such a task.

Zarhon can help but whisper to Felniir "Do me a favor and bite me in the ass if I turn out like that once I become a noble" earning himself a chuckle and an affirmative nod from the tiger. 'Just don't do it while you are as big as you are now please, I do still want to KEEP said ass." This earned him a few playful snaps by her amidst her still chuckling, and rather horrified looks from the local nobles.

The headmaster looks not very amused at the cowardice of his staff but then turns surprised eyes at Longueville as she steps up "I shall go whit the kids, they will need someone to lead them to the cottage after all."

And once more Raskreia and Zarhon share one thought. 'She is the Thief.'

"Wonderful!" Osmond exclaimed "You should all head out as soon as possible."

On the road

We currently see six individuals sitting inside a cart, with a tiger (now again a more normal size) trotting beside it. Longueville is driving with Zarhon, currently playing an idle tune on his fiddle, sitting beside her the rest are in the back of the carriage engaging in idle chatter.

Kirche slides over to Raskreia, almost snuggling into her side, something the latter is not all that opposed to which only irritates a watching pinkette further.

"So darling, I got good news. My family is willing to sell, and I am to negotiate a price. Isn't that great?!" Kirche punctuates her statement by further pressing herself into Raskreia's side, who now slides a bit away much to the formers disappointment, which vanishes at the wink she receives from Raskreia.

"That is great, lets negotiate first ting in the morning. And-" She is about to say something else but gets interrupted by Louise.

"What are you two talking about? What negotiations? What could possibly have to do with a Zerbst?" Louise seems close to erupting so Raskreia takes it slowly, not wanting to have a verbal fight right now.

"Remember the people I hired off of Mott? Well I needed somewhere to employ them, so I am buying a plot of land from the Zerbst family where is will build a trading post to employ those people." While it didn't quite calm her down this did not in fact make Louise More angry.

"And why did you ask her and not me? I am your mas-Summoner!" 'Ah there lies the clutch, Louise's low self esteem' thought Raskreia.

"Well, would you or your family have agreed?" This statement seemed to take out all the wind out of the girls sails as she realizes that, no, her family would most likely not agree.

Raskreia once more turns towards the now rather bemused Kirche. "As I was about to say. I prefer to go out on at least one date before cuddling." It was rather amusing to watch the reactions of the different people.

Tabitha merely raised an eyebrow before going back to reading.

Longueville is seemingly currently not paying attention.

Felniir was out of sight for her.

Zarhon gave her a look that seemed to say "Why do you always go after the good ones?"

Louise looked scandalized at the open talk but not really getting the true meaning either.

And lastly, and most amusingly, Kirche both looked as if her birthday had come early this year, and that she couldn't believe her idle advances would actually work. Soon a smirk was on her face once more thinking that Raskreia was merely teasing. "Why Raskreia! Was that an invitation, I would love to go on a date with you." Much to Kirche's shock however she Rask does not in fact look like she had been teasing.

Louise meanwhile had almost gone catatonic in shock and anger.

Raskreia gives Kirche a sly look, "it most certainly was. Next opportunity that arrives, what do you say?"

To Tabitha's shock Kirche actually blushes as she replies "I-I think we could do that."

"If you kids are done flirting back there, we are about to reach the cottage" The voice of Longueville cut through their thoughts like a hot knife through butter, and both Raskreia's and Zarhon's demeanor changes drastically, from carefree to serious in seconds. Which is quite startling to those who had not yet seen either of them like this.

Longueville has to actually swallow down some anxiety before she is able to speak once more.

"How about you six-" at the growl of Felniir she quickly corrects herself "-I mean seven, go on down this path, the cottage is right down that bend inside the forest. I will keep lookout from afar for any danger."

The gathered people don't protest and head on down the path towards the cottage.

Raskreia sidles up to Tabitha who is currently taking up the rear, whom she realizes is the most level headed of the locals, and whispers to her "Zarhon and I think the secretary is the Thief, keep your guard up." After gaining a confirming nod she once again walks forward toward the front of their group next to Felniir and in front of Zarhon. 'Seems like I did not misjudge her, she is really good at keeping her calm in these kinds of situations.'

As she passes the bard he whispers to her "Target in sight?"

"No. She couldn't see us from this angle, no matter where, all angles within sixty feet of us are covered." was her reply.

"Good. Send Felniir to watch her, I will make an illusion of her to not arouse suspicion."

"Nice idea. Alright you ready buddy?" She gets only an inpatient huff as response which she takes as a yes before casting 'Invisibility' as Zarhon simultaneously casts 'Major image' which takes the form of Felniir where the cat was prior to her becoming invisible. The result being the three natives and any possible onlookers seeing the bard and sorceress presumably cast some sort of spell but nothing happening.

"What did you just cast?" This was Louise's inquisitive voice speaking.

Zarhon being the more adept liar of the two was the one to speak. "Oh, those were just spells to tell us if there was anyone around, which there isn't."

The three natives nod, relaxing slightly at the knowledge of there being no one but them around.

A short while later they come upon the sight of a rather decrepit looking cabin. Nothing

would indicate anyone to be living within it at all, nor could Raskreia sense anyone nearby. Activating her arcanesight once more to scan the area in front of them she cant see any magical auras either, not even from this supposed staff of destruction.

Carefully walking up to the door Zarhon opens it up and Raskreia is the first to enter, not seeing, hearing or sensing anyone or anything inside of significant note she motions for the rest to come in with them.

Tabitha seems to have certain experience with this kind of deal and makes nary a sound, Kirche for some reason or another is adept at sneaking as well. Louise however would not know the principle of stealth if it hit her in the face, in fact the is actually tiptoeing.

Louise is also the first to break her "Stealth" by speaking up "There is nobody here" just to be shushed by everyone present.

"After a few seconds of listening to any sort of response the pink haired girls voice might have garnered they come to the conclusion that the shack is deserted in its entirety.

Kirche for her part tries to stray away from the incredibly dirty furniture while she searches for anything.

Tabitha is standing still in the entrance scanning the area.

Louise is walking around frantically searching everything while not touching anything.

And the Felniir illusion walks beneath the table not disturbing the table cloth in the process, if one were to watch out for something like that, where it vanishes into thin air.

Zarhon and Raskreia however merely look at the dust covering the ground, and thanks to their perfect darkvision can see, even though it had just been disturbed by them, a rather clear track of footprints leading to one end of the single room shack where there lies a single, green, container.

Both of them walk up to the thing confidently and once both have confirmed that it is indeed trap free, both magical or not, Zarhon picks it up and deposits it on the table.

The three locals noticing this walk up to them.

Louise is the first to talk "Hey! You found it! Let us get out of here."

Zarhon looks at the girl before opening the case "First we should confirm that this is not a decoy." Once the container opens all five of them look inside in wonder as to what the fabled staff of destruction might look like.

What they see is quite unimpressive, being a single green metal tube.

"This is it, how boring" Grumbles Kirche.

"Yeah. Its not even magical." Says Raskreia as her eyes stop glowing once more after deactivating her arcane sight.

Zarhon however is closely inspecting the item, turning it over and looking at it from all angles.

"I wouldn't be to certain about this thing being, in any way shape of form, boring. Look here it says 'M-72 Launcher, Rocket'. Now I am no expert, but the word launcher would imply that it launches some form of projectile, an I have heard of something called rockets before. Actually Raskreia I'm sure you have too." The bard says showing the words to his friend.

"Rocket… rocket… OH! Seebo! Kwalin's explosives expert, didn't he go on and on about something like this? Self propelled projectiles, was it? He found an example on a planar market once but could afford it and has been trying to make something like it ever since." The locals are looking at the pair in confusion as to their line of thinking.

"So you are saying this is a weapon, and not a staff?" Says Kirche looking at the "Staff" in interest "how does it work."

Zarhon looks it over a few more times, unfolding it in the process "Hmm, I would say that this thing here is used to aim, and this is where the projectile comes out of… yep see this thing in here, that is the projectile." Now he looks at it a bit more trying to figure out why it has two openings and how to trigger it, finding it rather quickly "Ah, is see! The back opening is to let excess energy escape so as to not, presumably, rip of your arms from the blast, and this here is the trigger. And judging by the design it can only be fired once. At least I cant figure out how it would be reloaded."

"So its not a staff at all?" This was Louise, trying to wrap her head around the fact that they came all this way for some weird non-magical weapon.

"Nope, or at least, hey Raskreia. Do you think you could use this as a spell focus?"

The woman in question looks the weapon over, careful to stray far away from the trigger mechanism and even tries to channel a cantrip through it, which fails. What many don't realize is that mages of Golarion DO in fact need something to focus their magic. Its just that most go straight to using their hands to do so, as once they can use their hands, which are frankly quite hard learn how to use as a focus, one can use anything else as well. Hell there is some who can focus their magic with their mind alone, but that is a whole different can of worms.

"No can do, this thing is about as magically conductive as some random stick on the ground, cant even do a cantrip through it."

"Well, not a staff then. There you have it. Lets go back and get this business behind us." Just as he says that they all hear a loud roar followed by a scream.

Outside the follow the sounds of struggling and growling, finding behind a pair of bushes Felniir on top of Longueville, the former holding the latter's throat in her maw and holding both her arms beneath her paws.

Kirche and Louise look rather confused at this but Tabitha understands what must have probably happened, just not how.

The captured woman meanwhile struggling, fruitlessly, against the hold the tiger has on her "What is the meaning of this, tell your beast to let me go. Fouquet might escape!" to which Felniir merely growls making her shut up once more.

Raskreia walks up to the downed woman removing her wand once there. "You can let her go now Felniir" Which she does with the woman sitting up.

"See, I had a feeling you were no good, but I didn't want to believe it. Alas, caution is the secret to survival in our line of work, so I had Felniir here watch out for you trying anything suspicious, which you must have done."

"I don't know what you are talking about, I was just watching out for Fouquet when your cat here assaulted me out of nowhere." Both Zarhon and Rask knew it to be a lie, Felniir knew what she was doing and had good reason to do what she is currently doing, Louise however had another question

"Hang on. Wasn't Felniir with us the entire time?" to which the other two girls nod.

"That was an illusion." Was the nonchalant reply of Zarhon, "now why don't you tell us-" he doesn't get to finish his sentence as the same golem as before crashes out of the ground behind Fouquet, it does not get far however as it is hit by a thin green ray, being turned in its entirety to ash, curtsey of a 'Disintegrate' cast by Raskreia.

After a short pause Zarhon continues as if nothing happened "Why don't you tell us why you were stealing this particular item? You are a well know thief around here, being Fouquet, and there is easier targets around that are worth more money."

A now visibly pale Fouquet looks at the pile of ashes that used to be her golem, then at her still outstretched wand in the hands of Raskreia. And she hears Raskreia distinctly mutter "Still prefer my hands."

"I-I-I'm just looking for a c-challenge is all." The poor woman would have fallen to her knees had she not been sitting already.

Raskreia not believing a word gets really up close to the woman and, unseen to the students behind her, partially dispels her illusion regaining her fangs and slit pupils. Staring right into Fouquet's eyes, unblinking. The poor woman is just getting more frantic but cannot back up because Felniir has positioned herself right behind her.

Raskreia shows of her fangs by grinning widely, even going as far as activating her arcane sight making her eyes glow an ethereal blue, only thing still visible her reptilian slits. "I don't think I believe you." Saying this in a overly sweet sing-song voice makes it even worse for the now terrified woman beneath her. "You know, the spell I just cast earlier works on humans too. Thought id let you know."

That did it for Fouquet, she did not want to be turned into ash, no sir thank you. "RECONQUISTA!" She shouts out "They hired me, please don't kill me." Now deactivating her Arcane sight and removing her draconic features once more Raskreia straightens herself and gives the woman a bit of breathing room which she happily accepts.

"See, that wasn't so hard was it?" She then turns towards Zarhon "Do you know them?" Knowing the bard he hears all kinds of things in the most ridiculous timeframes.

"I do indeed, I heard they are a revolutionary force up in the north in a country known as Albion, they want to overthrow the nobility or something. As usual they are trying to do so by starting a war, or at least it is building up to be one."

Rask chuckles at the prospect "And let me guess it is a poorly thought out ideology, and even if they succeed they are going to go bankrupt and fall into anarchy soon after the war is over and the old system is overthrown."

"Yeah pretty much." Now he too cant help but chuckle lightly.

"WHAT! There is someone in Albion trying to topple the nobility? We need to warn them." Louise all but shouts, entirely unnecessary considering no one is more than two meters away.

The bard, rubbing his ears chooses to be the one to try and calm the excitable girl down "Calm down, if I heard about it, anyone of import already knows about it and are, if they are not completely inept, taking measures to prevent a total breakdown. We cant do much at the time."

He then turns towards their captive once more "Listen, lady, I have a proposition for you. You work for us."

"You cant be serious!" Kirche exclaims. "She is a criminal for Brimir's sake!"

Raskreia however knows where her friend is trying to go with this "You are intending to use a Mark of Justice, aren't you?"

Fouquet looks about as lost as the other natives are feeling "Mark of what now, what are you people talking about? Why do you think I would work for you?"

Zarhon does not look at all concerned "Oh, many reasons. A secure work position, steady income, the fact that you wont be thrown into jail or turned to ash, just to name a few reasons. And a Mark of Justice is a spell to keep you from doing something undesirable to the caster."

Louise cant believe these people are actually talking about this "You cant tell me you are actually considering this Raskreia, she should be thrown into jail or even executed, not given a job."

Raskreia looks aghast, "Executed, for theft? A bit harsh don't you think? And yes I am actually considering it, I could soon use someone with access to the local black market."

The pink haired girl looks about to explode when Kirche intervenes "Louise calm down, that is actually something rather smart to do. If Rask can actually ensure loyalty as she claimed. Black market connections are incredibly beneficial to a newly forming business as nearly any Germanian could tell you, which they wont."

Once more the young girl deflates "B-but, that. FINE! Do whatever. But don't expect me to help you any way."

"Now hold on, don't I get any say in this?"

Everyone once more turns towards the bound woman and Zarhon speaks up "Sure you do, its either work for us or be handed over, those are your options."

"That is b-" she gets interrupted by Raskreia "Blackmailing? Hardly. It is offering you a more desirable option instead of what would normally await you."

"Fine! But I expect an explanation as to what this Mark of Justice is before my final decision. Also my employer will come after me, and by extension you if I don't deliver that staff to them." This makes Raskreia smile again at the prospect of having made a new pseudo-ally.

"Does anyone know what you really look like?"

Fouquet looks a bit confused at this line of questioning but answers nonetheless "No, some might realize I'm female but other than that I was always quite careful with my identity."

To which Raskreia nods before fishing out a piece of meat out of her bag, to the bafflement of the natives but before they can question her about it she starts casting a spell 'Polymorph any object' Which then turns the piece of meat into the unmoving body of a human woman of approximately the same build as Fouquet herself.

After a short inspection Raskreia turns back to her new employee and motions to the fake corpse. "That is Fouquet, she is dead, wouldn't you say? Burned to death." After saying the last bit she casually shoots a set of 'Scorching ray's' at the "Corpse" burning most of it severely making it almost unrecognizable as a person.

"There, that should do the trick." She turns back to see the horrified faces of the locals even Tabitha has her eyes a bit wide. "What?"

"You just turned a piece of meat into a human body. That's what!" Kirche Exclaimed arms waiving at the charred corpse to help get her point across.

"Err.. its just a human body, nothing to it. It wasn't even alive. Hell I could turn a pebble into a living human with that spell, but that wouldn't last for any significant amount of time."

"Ninth circle?" Tabitha said as she was closely inspecting the body on the ground to see if it was truly authentic, and at a cursory inspection it indeed was.

"Nah, that's still in the eight circle, the thing I used to turn the golem to ash was sixth and the last spell I cast was second." She said to which Tabitha nodded.

Louise however is not having it "You have got to be kidding me, what does it bloody take for you to classify something as a ninth circle spell?"

"This 'Gate'" as she finishes her incantation a oval portal opens where she pointed at an one can see a road on the other end of the portal leading to a set of massive gates within an equally massive wall. The road is currently traveled by a number of people going to and from the city one can see in the distance, one person, a rather short man with a long beard even walks up to the portal looks through and walks away once more.

Zarhon takes this as his cue and hoists Fouquet up before saying "This would be my part then, come on, of we go."

Fouquet looks at the oval portal in what might be worry and turns towards Raskreia "What is this?"

Raskreia looks at her trying to figure out what exactly she means by this but decides that the portal is the most likely candidate "It's a tear in reality leading to my home-world. There you will meet one of my friends who will inscribe the mark of justice upon you, which will prevent you from betraying us, don't worry we will probably remove it after a while. Oh and Zarhon, tell Kwalin to start preparing, the operation is a go."

"I heard. I will go talk to Thorgal as well, maybe he wants to share in this too." He says as he walks on through the portal, still visible from the other side. Fouquet looks apprehensive for a moment before following, whereupon the portal closes itself as if it was never there.

Raskreia then turns and grins at the people still left "Well, time to deliver Fouquet and The Staff to the headmaster."

And that's a cut.

Hah, I'm getting more frequent aren't I? No omake this time though.

Well I don't have anything of import to say soooo… bye.