<br/>Patience was not one of her virtues.  Tired of waiting, Xastasia exhaled loudly and muttered a few choice words before silently making her way into the hallway.  Once there she crept up the stairs, dagger in hand and tried once again to make out the conversation taking place between the mage and mysterious man who claimed he was a holy monk.  At the top of the landing, a large, dimly lit corridor stretched before her, with several doors on each side, and each one leading to what she assumed must be guest rooms.  Only one though, slightly ajar and allowing soft light to escape, caught her attention.  The sound of the mages laughter floated out into the corridor, and Xastasia took cover behind a large statue of a Nazraphorian Goddess.  Scanning for the best spot to position herself, she saw what appeared to be adjoining rooms to the one the uninvited guest was now using.  Hoping that the door closest to monk’s room would be unlocked, she crept along, with her back to the wall, until she reached it.  Bracing herself with one hand against the door, she placed the dagger between her teeth, reached for the doorknob with the other, and turned.<em>Excellent, it’s unlocked!</em>Quietly she opened the door, snuck inside, and carefully closed it behind her with a soft click.<br/><br/>The room was pitch black, and before entering further, she reached into her leather waist pouch for a fire crystal.   Once the crystal was in hand, she shook it until it emitted a soft orange glow.  Satisfied she was alone, Xastasia took the dagger in hand once again, and looked around.  She noted that there were no other exits besides the doors to the hallway and adjoining room, save the window, and she hoped she would not have to risk breaking any bones should she need to leave by way of it.  She was no stranger to escaping with a broken leg or worse, but it would slow her down and put her at a huge disadvantage.  The guest chamber, like the living room below, was sumptuously decorated, and it was dominated by a large canopied bed draped in silk and translucent veils sitting in the centre on a raised dais.  A richly carved writing desk sat against the wall, beside the doorway that led to the monk’s room.<em>The voices seem to have stopped...it’s too quiet</em>.  A narrow ribbon of light filtered beneath the door to his room, disturbed only by shadows indicating he still moved within.  As she waited for the darkness indicating he had retired for the evening, she flipped the dagger around in her hand and her expression hardened.<em>Soon my dark friend….soon</em>. Running the dagger blade over her thumb to test its sharpness, she smiled in anticipation of the game.<br/>