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The mage remained where she stood, looking down at their joined hands, seeming puzzled. Then she shook her head lightly, as though to herself, and looked up to meet Traven's eyes, her expression set in resignation.

"The Avariel goes to do his duty. He may yet fail in it, and our presense cannot change the pattern of his Destiny. If he succeeds, I would be as overjoyed as you. But should he fail, which is most likely, we must be ready. And that means continuing as though nothing has changed."

Hard words, and a harsh thing to do, leaving the Avariel to his fate. Though it made her heart ache, Liana stood steadfast, feeling that in this she was right. The safety of the Kingdom must be put first.

"I can open a portal to transport us to the palace. There, we can convince the Queen to provide the blood sacrifice. But we must hurry."

The hand that was clasped to Liana's glowed and heated up "LISTEN TO ME!" he yelled at the two Why do they insist on waisting all this time on that peon. he though angrily and the sorcerer glared back into the Mage's eyes, his eyes had am evil look to them and he le go of her hand "This counter rune will not work be cause a WEEK is required for it's preparation! Aleron will not fall on this day Liana, I promise you that." he said his eyes turning from a look of rage to a look of burning passion. The half-elf held out a ring filled gloved hand and the shadows in the room flickered as a crimson red portal opened to the town square where one could see that he two had begun to clash and the awestruck look of the bystanders and guards alike "Humph, so much for Aleron's proud guards dumbstruck by a simple sword fight." though he knew from personal experiance that his was no mere scuffle but a test for as he could see the Avriel was only defending against the boys blows.

Liana's eyes flickered slightly when the Captain spoke, the only outward sign she deigned to show that she was surprised at the stubborn swordswoman's agreement with her own opinion. Odd that. Normally Tarma deliberately took the opposite platform to whatever she herself stood for out of sheer dislike.

But the sudden flare of heat against her palm distracted her, and she pulled her hand away in shock at the sudden surge of magical power. Her dark intelligent eyes flew to meet Traven's, watchful and considering even as she absorbed his words. His glare should not have troubled her; she had received as much from too many people over her long life to grow concerned over them. Yet the anger he channeled out of his expression made her wary, and made her wish that he would look at her as he had before instead.

Then as suddenly as his fury had exploded in his gaze, it was replaced by something else, something deeper. And when he promised her that Aleron would not fall, for some odd reason, she believed he meant it. Drawing a breath as she watched the Captain launch herself through the portal, the mage gave a nod that made the waves of her raven hair bob around her face.

"As you say, Traven Darkeyes."

Her tone had become suddenly formal, surprising her with her own stiffness towards him. As she lifted her hands to gather her skirts and step into the portal, she noticed that they were trembling. He had frightened her, she realized with inner shock. Frightened her enough that she was forced to mask it with cool indifference. What was in him, she wondered, that she recognized and was afraid of?

With a shake of her head, Liana moved forward with her staff in hand, and stepped towards the portal. She addressed Traven, but she couldn't quite bring herself to meet his eyes, lest she see that hatred in them again.

"We should make this quick, if possible. I do not wish the child to glean more of us than things he cannot use against us."

As he put his arm out, the High Mage shook her head in denial of his words even as her heart warmed to them. The Tower Seer had given many prophesies concerning this time, some that she had often wished she did not know because they concerned her own future, and Liana knew from experience that too much knowledge of what Fate held in store for you was dangerous. But in this, she had resigned herself.

The High Mage returned his grip by intertwining her fingers with his as they watched madness unfold, wishing she could allow him to protect her as he wished, and knowing he could not.

"You cannot hold me back from this forever, Traven. Both my duty and my Fate bind me."

It was stated sadly, with a resignation like that of a man bound for the gallows at dawn on the night before his hanging. Then the mage gripped her staff so hard her arm shook with the force of it, and she looked suddenly angry beyond measure. Rage lit her eyes with passion, and there was righteous fury painted across her expression. It made her look like a warrior goddess ready to leap into battle.

"Gramath! I will see you plead before the feet of the Elder Gods for mercy from me before it is done! I swear it!"

She hissed the words beneath her breath. It was a vow she would see to completion, even unto death.

Traven already agitated over many things, two people he did not want to see just came through his portal "I thought I only made this one way..." he grumbled his nice moment of him and Liana broken by all the peasants running through his portal "WHY!" he thought and drew his mandoline "No..." he said glaring at the old man.

Tarma entered last, the portal snapping closed on her heels. Her eyes wore dark circles, and seemed somehow older that her years as she moved into the midst of the crowded room. Immediately she pointed at Damien, and gestured at Conner on the floor.

"Damien needs your healing, Liana, as does the elf-boy. See to our fallen swordsman first."

A judgment call that perhaps was not her place to make; but damnit, the Avariel had just put his life on the line for the good of them all. For the good of Aleron. He'd spoken the vow, she'd heard him. Tarma's loyalties lay with him now, however much it pained her to put a citizen second.

The door slamming behind Traven made her frown as she directed the old man to place Damien on the long couch. What was the bard's problem now? Later, she decided. Later they could talk. Helping the old man, she carefully arranged Damien on his back, careful to spread his wings so that they were neither crushed, nor likely to be stepped on.

The troll was not fond of his new location, The cieling was not tal enough and He could smell food but there was none around, strangly enough the troll had a sudden craving for cake and wasnt sure why. The large marred blades in his hands were put away and the monstrosity rejoined his pet patting her on the head with a large green paw. His massive stomach made a loud growl and his attention turned to the unconsious elf boy, under the mask the sound of the troll licking his chops could be heard to those that might be listening. Smiley pointed a clawed green finger at the wounded prey.
"Food?"

Clavian picked himself up off the floor, dusting himself down and taking in the new surroundings. The scenery had changed; from a city backstreet in the middle of what was fast becoming a magical warzone, to the inside of a large, cool circular room. His eyes settled on the small crowd who had been unceremoniously dragged or thrown through the portal, with the exception of Smiley, who probably would have done the throwing...

He sidled over to Aria, watching as the wounded were administered to.

"Sheesh... Today just gets better and better, don't it?" he said, sarcasm dripping from every syllable

"Where are we now? Some kind of temple?"