Elena’s room was cozy in her words, a right mess in Olaf’s, the walls covered with shelves groaning under the weight of books. A theme that was carried out over the room, a desk covered in opened books, scrolls and items acquired over the years. There was however room for two chairs in which the pair was ensconced.<br/><br/>A slender flute of wine in Elena’s hand which she sipped at as she watched her companion. As befitted him there was a tankard in his hand but he was making no effort to drink but rather was watching the flames dance in the fireplace. “You will tell me in due course I suppose.”<br/><br/>Olaf raised his head at her comment, “Tell you?” Elena smiled in a sad way, “You have something to tell me that you know I will not like and are thinking how to say it as nice as you can.” Olaf sighed, “Aye, you sure your a witch as well as a Magus? You seem to know my very thoughts.”<br/><br/>Elena regarded him fondly, for all his strengths and a skill keeping what he was thinking off his face was not one of them. “So?” Then Olaf took a large drink before saying. “The courier waited three days, Karin and Weaver did not show.” His eyes searched her face, as he spoke, quite how Weaver that cheeky little Gnome had made Elena into a close friend Olaf really had no idea. He was way to liberal in what he said to women and irrelevant in so many ways.<br/><br/>“You think they are dead?” Her voice was soft and low, and there was little for Olaf to do but nod. “If it had been Weaver I would say he was in an alehouse or more likely a brothel but Karin. No she would never be late she is a Guardian who understands duty.”<br/><br/>“So some one is killing us, picking us off as we venture outside our Citadels.” Her face was impassive but Olaf knew she was mourning her friend inside as she continued. “And we have so many of our experienced teams tied up at Waterfall Citadel. Which is why we have no choice but to use our new graduates.” Then she looked sharply at Olaf. “Do you think they are up to it?”<br/><br/>Olaf considered for a moment, “They are trained but we need more than knowing how to toss a spell or swing a sword. If we are to send them against this unknown enemy we need people who can think on their feet and understand going in swinging is not always the answer. The missions need doing and whilst normally we would send them with an experienced team they should be up to it.”<br/><br/>He stopped talking at a knock on the door, “Seems like one team at least has chosen. COME IN.”<br/><br/><br/>