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There discussion had come to a pause, as a snapping of the twig sounded. Yet, what was even more peculiar was the sound of whistling. AS she listened to it, she could not make out what song it was (Song is from the Wizard of Oz. When the Tin Man sings his song wanting a heart).

The sounds drew closer and closer, hesitations in movement, which were characteristic to one searching or looking. Even the whistling paused. Finally the whistling stopped, and was replaced by a gentle feminine voice.

"You know how much that whistling gets on my nerves," said the feminine voice.

"Yedda yedda yedda," said a male voice. "You know it relaxes me, no just find the blasted plant, before something decides I should be on there menu."

"I keep telling you they grow near the trunk of trees, the mossy ones."

The movment started again, and soon paused.

"Just like you did deary," came a female voice from behind.

As she looked to see who was talking, she noticed high in the tree a small black dragon. A drake, and her magical aura was pronounced.

"Let him go right now, or...."

"Its alright Shadasai. This lovely woman was in the Kings Suite recently, with the rest of us," said the Archmage.

When she turned back around to look at Christophers, he was merely smiling. It was a charming smile. His eyes though she could not believe. There was no eyeball... No iris, no pupil, only the void filled with a silver sheen.

"I rarely go by the title Archmage anymore. I actually referred to as Captain. Though you my lovely, you may call me Sherman. Sherman J. Christophers, Captain of the Spelljamming Ship Entente', at your service."

By his mannerisms, she could tell that the man didn't fear her, but in actuality was enjoying being pinned against the tree.

The small drake did not move from her perch in the tree, she remained silent as her Master did, as he listened to the womans words. The Drake was the first to react as she began to shake her head in a side to side motion. Christophers though refrained from any outward reactions for the moment, and seemed to contemplate her words.

“Nothing is ever impossible. With imagination, the impossible becomes possible,” stared Christophers. “It simply amazes me though, how naive would be spell casters can be when it comes to spells. They automatically assume or believe that what is written down or what is told to them is the truth, and nothing can be done to change that truth. My dear, most Magus that tell you that if I die the curse cannot be broken tell you that so you do not kill them, and if they can will see what they can do to manipulate you further to there bidding.”

Christophers slowly approached her, and like her turned and leaned against the boulder. He folded his arms, and brought his index finger to his chin. He seemed to stare out into space, almost focusing upon something.

“You mentioned another way of breaking the curse? Was this information provided to you by him or some instrumentality left behind by him? For if that is the case, again it’s a spoilsport maneuver left to insure your demise. Most methods of breaking curses are memorized, unless you are a scholoarly type magus, in which case its there to help the hapless victim. As far as the Magus that did this to you, I am sure he died with the secret on how to neutralize your curse. Any thing left… Well… Like I said spoilsport maneuver. So… What was this alternative way of breaking the curse?”

Christophers turned his head to look at her.

With obviously no invitation, the small black drake that Christphers identified as Shadasai flew down and landed on her shoulder, she drooped her head on top of her head.

"Such a tragic story, but its ok honey. You came to the right place," said the small Drake.

Christophers moved to the front of Laia, and lifted her chin gently with his finger.

"Remember, all you hear and read is propaganda left by fools and evil people to dishearten the cursed. There is a way to break the curse, and I am positive of that. All I require is some time, and study on the subject, but to succeed... I need your full cooperation. Starting with, a smile, and your trusting me."

Christophers let go of her chin, and stepped back a few feet.

"Curses are spells. Spells that have been twisted upon or accidentally created that had severe side effects, but essentially in both cases they are both magic, and my Lovely Lady, when it comes to magic.... I know it well."

Christophers smiled a little, and faced upward. She looked up, and could hear the small drake chuckling a little, and Laia thought she even heard her say 'show off.'

When Laia did look up, the sun soon became blotted out as a large shadow began to appear, and what was invisible before, slowly took shape and form. Its size was huge, the size of a castle easily, not as big as her Kings, but still it was enormous.



When Laia looked back at Christophers, he was looking at her.

"May I present the Spelljamming Ship Entente'."

Much to Laia's chagrin, the forward section of the 'giant lobster' began to open, an ramp extended. Out of the body of the ship approached several people, four in total. All human, all in a type of uniform, carrying ornate lances. Yet, her attention drifted then up and behind them as a rather large creature came walking out. The air about him clearly marked him military, as his stature, and the cut of his uniform was sharp. Though, what else her eyes told her, he was not human. No, his barrell like figure marked him as being very strong, and his height brough him above the four humans that proceeded him. Yet, to cap it off was his head, for it reminded her of a hippopotamus.

The humanoid descended the ramp to its edge where he stood, and it clearly showed that he would not allow anyone past, and oddly enough, the man stood erect at a military position of attention. His hand sharply came up to salute, as Christophers soon had caught up to Laia. Meanwhile during all of this, and partly due to the ships appearance distracting her, the Drake called Shadasai had left Laia and deftly flew towards the ship, past the crew that had stepped out. Not waiting for any notice, the Drake soon disappeared into the ship.

Christophers stepped forward of Laia, and to the Hippopotamus humanoid, and returned the salute.

"Commander Neebor, please alert the crew that we have a guest."

Christophers looked at Laia.

"My Lady, I am remiss in asking your name, but may I present to you my First Officer, Revaan Neebor. Without a doubt the best First Officer a Captain could ask for," said Christophers.

"An honor, Madame," said Neebor. His voice was a deep baritone, and without a doubt would get anyones attention. As he said the words to Laia he merely bowed to her. His attention then returned to Christophers.

"Captain, ship operations are still at approximately eighty nine percent of efficiency. Engineering reports that they believe the aft upper hull plating will be repaired in two days."

"Two days???" Christophers looked over at Laia. "My apologies, I don't normally do this in front of guests, but then my ship is usually not damaged."

Christophers then looked at Neebor. "What about the Port upper pylon weapons?"

"Restored to full function, I prioritized those repairs as it will do us no good to have a hull if we cannot defend it," reported Neebor.

"Very well, carry on Commander," said Christophers. Neebor saluted Christophers again, and Christophers returned the gesture in kind.

Smartly Neebor spun on heel, and walked back into the ship. While Christophers turned to Laia, his full intentions of focusing on her now. His hand outstretched towards the ramp.

"Well, enough of ships business for the moment. As far as your earlier query. Oh to be sure I will have many more questions. But they can wait until we get to my study, at the very least I can make you comfortable," said Christophers.

Christophers stared at the woman, and noticed the nervous edge, and tension. Her body language was very easy to read, and no certain this curse issue was prominently upon her mind.

"Listen, I will remove the curse. No 'I thinks', no 'I hopes', no 'wait and see's.' I will remove that curse, and I positive of that. So relax, otherwise you won't enjoy yourself right now."

Christophers began to say something, but the blood that splattered him in the face distracted him.

"What the hell? She deaf?" Christophers shook his head as he watched her fly off. She was a bit irritating, but this was not the norm for a supposed Demon. There was now Christophers realized more going on than her concern about the curse. Or even her death, and even surprised him a bit more. Christophers could not help but wonder if there was something more to this situation between her and the King or what?

Christopher mentioned a command word, and in reaction one of his magical devices teleported him to his study.

"So... She won't come to my study....."

Some time passes......

When Laia opened the room to her quarters she was shocked to see her room in disarray, and that her had been violated. Several stone like creatures moved about carrying books and her senses detected magical auras upon them. As she took a second to watch, the stone creatures were stacking the books on the floor or tables.



Though this irritation was soon distracted by a familiar voice. She turned and looked to see Christophers sitting on her couch sipping on a cup in one hand, and a book in the other.

"Apparently my hospitality is inadequate to your needs, so.... I thought I would come here to continue our little chat."

((OOC: To be continued in Laia's Chambers in the Castle))