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Sheena huffed. "Then go start searching, instead of standing her complaining." She said, walking off and expecting Azriel to follow, without bothering to conclude where Oro was going, and what Cain had to say back. "Cmon. Lets check the shops to see if they bought the gem."

"Well then Cinkel let's go to the East district." said Magnus with a sly smile. He then started heading toward the poor district. Whoever the thief was, he was incredibly skilled. Magnus was eager to find out who the thief was and put him behind bars forever.

Cinkel was planning his movements, "...so we'll start at the slums and work our way north. It would be a bad idea for Azriel and I to search the castle. Well, actually, Azriel should be alright. I don't think anyone knows her face..."
Cain let go of Oro's sleeve and caught up with Sheena, "Is everything alright, Sheena? You look troubled. Do you need a rest?"

((Sorry Something was screwy with my computer lately, so I was on at school. Had the forums blocked off there for some reason. sweatdrop ))

Oro was a bit torn between leaving his brother to the slums of the city. Previous experiences, left them felling gloomy after entering those areas. Schwarz gave his brother a slap on the back to indicate that he was leaving, and to show that he'd tough it out if it brought him down. Oro sighed and followed Cain, when he saw Sheena he looked concerned "We will never have all the facts to make a perfect judgement, but with the aid of basic experience we must leap bravely into the future. What ever happens keep that in mind." he patted her on the shoulder and walked off to talk to a different Shopkeeper.



After Schwarz slapped his brother, he ran after Magnus and Cinkel. He giggled slightly but as they entered the East district, Schwarz began to feel the sorrow of the living here (though not all of them were like that), he felt helpless towards them, killing the innocent to send them off to a better life wasn't allowed. "Sure, whatever you say Cinkle." he smiled, but depression had already set in.

Azriel looked upon the shelves opposite Cain's side in the shop, going over the details she remembered with Chiaro and Oscuro as she rubbed her chin.

Hmm. What did he say it looked like again?

"The King described it to be blue and spherical..."

"...And about as big as his fist."

Well that's still...vague. It would have helped if he threw in how the jewel was cut...

Azriel's eyes were now set upon a series of large fist-sized jewels, but none of them were blue. She let out a short, annoyed grumble with a sigh. That King. Did he still really loathe Half-Elves that much to strike such a deal with Cinkel? The thought only served to add to her irritation, so she put it aside for now to focus on the task at hand.

An old human man was standing at a distance outside the shop. He was balding, had a thin face with thick gray eyebrows and a long gray beard fading into white at the ends. He wore a black-rimmed pince-nez and dark gray robes with a red shawl that had dull yellow patterns around his shoulders. He adjusted his pince-nez and narrowed his eyes as he stared at the shop, thinking about the group that had just walked in. That was the girl. Something is kind of...off...about her now... he thought, but put confidence in his memory, which he thought sharp for an aging man, but I'm sure she is the one. She has that collar...must be hiding her wings with some odd trick...

Oscuro perked up, sensing the strong contempt coming off the old man. It was familiar too... "Oh, SH---"

"What is it?"

"No...no...I hope that isn't him..."

Azriel felt a pang of nervousness within her, but maintained a calm composure on the outside. Who...who?

"Damn it. Damn it all! I have a strong feeling it's the old jerk who got you chased out of Sybak..."

"Just keep acting natural. Remain calm. Your wings are invisible now, remember that. Maybe he'll gloss over you because of that."

Azriel made a discreet nod and wiped the cold sweat from her forehead with her sleeve. She walked up to Sheena and suggested in a whisper, "Perhaps we could ask the shopkeep himself if he's seen the thief and the jewel? Maybe he has it but didn't put it out for display yet."

The old man's attention was caught by Cain emerging from the store. As the elven man took his place opposite him by the door, he looked at him from the corner of his eye, one of his brows raised in suspicion. He then walked away, deeper into a thick crowd, away from sight.

He soon located a guard and first looked around to make sure no one was following him. Once he felt all was clear, he approached the guard and signaled for him to walk alongside deeper into the crowd. He leaned in closely, speaking to him in whispers.

"I do believe I've located the Fractured Soul. But we are not to go after her yet; it is unwise to cause a scene. We can't rule out that other possessed boy the King spoke of having accomplices or something of that nature. The Fractured Soul seems to be traveling with...'friends' of her own, if they are truly that---or maybe accomplices of said boy. We can't risk dealing with any added trouble from them. It would be wiser to seek an opportunity when she can be isolated."

"Understood, sir."

"I was wonderin' why a bunch o' young'uns like you had collectively become interested in my goods," the shopkeep, an aged man, replied with a jolly laugh, "Indeed, I had heard that news o' somethin' being stolen from the King just this mornin'. But I can't say I've seen such a jewel yet. See, these are all my recent acquisitions, I swear!" Grinning, he plopped a metal tray noisily onto the counter.

Azriel peered over the tray, closely examining each piece, jewels of all shapes and sizes. But she didn't find a single one that fit the King's description, even though it was vague. After a minute, she turned to Sheena and said, "Hmm...yeah, he's telling the truth." Then looked back to the shopkeep. "Well, sir, the thief was described as an elven man with white hair---not the one we're with, mind you. In fact, he's the one who's been framed and we're trying to help clear his name. Please, be sure to tip the authorities if you run into the thief."

"Ohoho! Sure thing! I'll keep that in mind, missies. Good luck with yer search!"

Azriel smiled warmly. "Thank you, sir." Then she sighed and turned back to Sheena, shrugging. "Time to move on, I guess..." With that, they went back out the door and regrouped with Cain.