One would think that with all the time the two soldiers spent training, as well as constantly being around Ghestin, that they wouldn't at all be surprised by muscled men. But then again, Sir Asdragar didn't seem to be just any muscled man. By mental comparison, Ghestin would only have been about half his size.<br/><br/>Being of military duty, muscle and bulk were definitely gained on part of Ghestin, but endurance and certain level of agility were also a part of his regimen therefore Ghestin remained fairly small, though bulky. Being a metalsmith, most work was done in a static place, giving more to muscle growth and little to movement and this gave Gareth a much larger advantage over Ghestin when it came to size. Needless to say, William and Rohwik were slightly taken aback by just how much bigger he was. (Naturally though, as it were almost a subconscious reaction, William began to survey the man, calculating and deducing the metalworker's strengths and weaknesses.)<br/><br/>"Lead the way, good sir!" grinned Rohwik, his overwhelming excitement already washing over any sense of intimidation that had overcome him only a moment ago.<br/><br/><br/>As Kaeden began back toward the library, Tolan had opened the door, coincidentally looking for Kae.<br/><br/>"Captain!" Tolan blinked, taken by surprise with Kaeden standing outside his door, "I was about to knock on your door.."<br/>"What is it you need?" Kaeden asked, stopping for a moment.<br/>"Ghestin and I will probably remain in our rooms until the meals are ready. Do you supposed you could send word for us?"<br/>"Of course." he answered.<br/>"Thank you, Sir."<br/><br/>With a nod, Kaeden went on his way as Tolan ebbed back into his room. The household had lost it's radiance with the setting of the sun. Maids and other servants began wandering about the home, lighting candles for the coming evening as Kae wandered down the staircase back to the library.<br/><br/>When he had returned, he glance around the room, finding not sign of the estate's lord. Figuring he must have gone to take care of some other business whilst Kae had gotten himself settled, the captain began to glance about the shelves, skimming book titles. There were numerous books on magicycles; their history, their specifications, journals recounting modifications made by well-known names in the business, theories on how crystals functioned and how to improve them, and many more - much to Kaeden's surprise.<br/><br/>But there were other titles, of course. Countless titles of literature, some even Kaeden had read. There were histories and maps, scientific theories and magical studies. The library was fairly large and the collection Corsair seemed to have accumulated was vast and quite varied. Kaeden was quite impressed. Kaeden heard a small voice come from the door to the room.<br/><br/>"May I help you with anything, Sir?" a young maid had chanced to see Kaeden alone in the library as she passed by lighting a few small candles.<br/>"Lord Atadel had summoned me here." he replied, turning fully toward the door.<br/>"Ah, I will inform him that you are waiting then." she curtsied lightly and then left to do so.<br/><br/>By then Kaeden had strolled near the fireplace, glancing over some of the mantle pieces that were displayed. Turning around, Kaeden noticed a pictureframe face down on the table. He figured that one of the must have bumped into the table, knocking it over and so reached down to set the fallen portrait upright. As he did so, he glanced at the woman in the frame and a tinge of familiarity pricked at him.<br/><br/>He picked up the picture to get a closer look at the woman. At first it wasn't obvious, but as soon as he realized it was her, Kaeden had a difficult time believing he missed it in the first place. It was Lhurriel and she looked... different. Her sunny and joyful smile that he had first met at the tavern was just as prominent as it ever was. But, she looked... beautiful. Having only met her, he only saw the Lhurriel donned in dull colored traveling apparel. The Lhurriel dressed in the gown he looked down upon looked so much more womanly; elegant and graceful and... And why would Corsair have such a picture of Lhurriel?<br/><br/>Well, it had to have been obvious. The informal and excited greeting, how she knew everything and everyone about the place, and now the portrait. Lhurriel and Corsair were --