<br/>Xastasia looked carefully around the tastefully appointed room, and took note of every exit.<em>Hmmm...a back door probably leading to the kitchens, the archway to the entrance hall and front door, and that enormous picture window looking out over the front lawn can be broken easily enough.</em>She raised an eyebrow appreciatively as she noted the exquisite furniture which filled the room; every piece had been hand carved by the monks of Cardine and would be worth a king’s ransom.  A noise behind her caught her attention, and as she looked over her shoulder to see what it was, a young servant girl with spiky green hair, entered the room through the back door.  The girl took one look at Xastasia and gasped in shock, clutching her gown to her throat in a gesture of protection.  She quickly scurried past, refusing to look at the warrior woman, and practically fell over herself running out to the hallway.  Xastasia smirked.  People often reacted to her that way, and it suited her just fine.<br/><br/>Satisfied that she wasn’t trapped or in danger for the moment, her mind drifted to the memories of her youth.  As a child, almost from the moment she took her first baby steps, her fathers had drilled into her the importance of ALWAYS having an escape plan.  In fact, they had gone out of their way to prove their point by stalking and attacking her at every possible moment.  Their laughter at each failure had hurt her deeply, and she had resented the fact they took such delight in tormenting her.  Xastasia however, was a quick study and desperately craved their approval.  She worked twice as hard as the other youths and quickly became adept at outmanoeuvring even the most seasoned warriors, much to their chagrin.  Eventually she had earned their respect, and many saw her as the next leader of their clan.<br/><br/>The sound of someone descending the stairs brought her attention back to the present, and she saw the navy haired water mage approach her and ask why she was here. Xastasia’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. “I might ask you the same question.  You summoned me did you not?”<br/>