He was deep enough in thought he hadn't noticed the newcomers, only broken from his trance by a sudden loud knock at the door of the forge. Cursing under his breath he grabbed the large blacksmith's hammer, hiding it behind his back as he approached the door, unlocking it slowly. When he saw who awaited him on the other side however he relaxed.<br/><br/>"Carolina, thank the stars," he said, stepping aside and allowing an elderly woman in a long grey cloak to step inside the room, shutting the door behind her. "You are fortunate I didn't take your head off, you should have given me more warning."<br/><br/>"We both know there is no time left for warnings," Carolina replied with a tired smile. "Where are the others? You told me there would be many friends here to join you."<br/><br/>"I have waited all day Carolina," he replied. "I have heard no word from them, we have to assume Myraz's men got to them first. It appears I will have to travel north alone at this rate."<br/><br/>"That is a..." she suddenly paused, looking around the room as if it had suddenly changed. "I am not sure you are as alone as you believe old friend. Vennar may be too distracted to see either of you but even MY old senses can see you mage, and as for the thief," she said, uttering a chuckle. "Before you consider stealing that picture I would warn you the last person who tried took a blow from Vennar's hammer that ensured they never got up again." She put a hand out to stop Vennar reacting. "Now is not the time for fighting, you may not know it yet but you all have the same objective, if we are to stop Myraz you have to work together."