<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/6a8gTzl.png)</div><br/>Mara waited patiently in the hallway for the two to finish up, but as soon as they had collected all their gear and opened the door, she tossed two large, hooded cloaks at them.<strong> "Put these on.  I don't know if you're going to be spotted, and thankfully, being mid day, the city is about as busy as its ever going to be.  If we get lucky we might be able to get lost in the crowd once we get to the market place.  We're all paid up, and the inn keep thinks we're staying till tomorrow, but we're going to sneak out through the back of the kitchen, in case any hunters are watching the main tap room."</strong><br/><br/>The trio received a few looks from cooks and servants as they passed through the rather large kitchen, but thankfully the staff was too busy preparing and serving mid day meals to pay much mind to a trio of guests passing quickly through their kitchen.  True to what Mara said, as soon as the group had moved away from the tavern, they were able to merge with the farmers, merchants, and travelers that were in the bustling city center.  Mara seemed somewhat relaxed as soon as they joined the groups of people active in the marketplace, and thanked the gods that the Inn was close enough to the market that they didn't spend too much time exposed.<br/><br/>She led them to a gaily painted wagon with a large collapsible stage that had folded down from the side, an awning above it in bright colors, and an elf sitting on it, simply smoking a pipe in the shade of the awning.  Unlike the other merchant's stalls and wagons, he displayed no wares, nor did he have a sign or placard displaying his business.  The only sign that he was even doing more than watching the crowds for enjoyment was the hawklike gaze he laid upon the crowds before him.  It was the gaze of a merchant constantly scanning for his next customer.<br/><br/>The elf had skin that was a pale, ashen grey, unlike Lunari's vibrant lavendar skin, though his eyes glowed with a bright purple color, much in the same way Lunari's glowed silver.  He wore an elaborate outfit of purple and crimson that left hsi chest and stomach bare, and even without using any magical senses, it was obvious that his garments were embedded with magical potential, as the gold threaded runes on the clothing seemed to shimmer slightly.  His hair was a darker color than Lunari's, grey in color, and hung limp and fine about his head, blowing in the wind as he puffed on his pipe.  But when his eyes locked on Mara, they lit up.<br/><br/><strong>"Ahh the beautiful Mara returns.  These must be the friends you were telling me about." </strong>Then in a loud voice, more for any nearby eavesdroppers, he cried loudly,<strong> "Come into my wagon and I can show you some items you might be interested in."</strong>He stood from the simple folding chair he sat upon and hopped down from the folding stage to the dusty marketplace ground and gestured for the trio to follow him.  Waving a hand across the door at the back of the wagon, the door, which had no handle, opened before him.  He gestured for the three to step inside and then followed.  The interior of the wagon was cramped with four people, not to mention the chaotic air of the belongings.  A bed dominated the front part, and Mara, the first to enter, moved in and set upon the edge, crossing her legs and making room for Lunari to sit beside her.  The walls were lined with shelves, cases, a work bench piled high with books and scrolls, and even a small stone hearth.<br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(http://i.imgur.com/uzuQZji.jpg)</div><br/><strong>"Mara told me you were seeking access to the Elven lands."</strong>The elf said,<strong>"My name is Rassamin.  I studied under your father when you were but a babe, barely able to walk without falling over young Lunari."</strong>He smiled and bowed to Lunari, graceful despite the cramped space and added,<strong>"I was saddened when I heard that the great mage Alher had ventured to the forest beyond this world, and I am pleased to see that you've grown into such a fine young woman.  Though I admit, you're still quite young to have left the homeland."</strong><br/><br/>Nirael noticed the way the wizard's eyes traveled along Lunari's body as he spoke to her, and the way his lips quirked upwards as he spoke of how she'd grown.  But when Lunari responded it was with a strong clear voice,<strong>"It is because of my father's passing that I did leave.  He tasked me with a quest, to find this man, Nirael, and return him, to study my father's writings.  My father believed that this man would be able to complete his life's quest."</strong><br/><br/>Rassamin rubbed his hand across his chin and nodded,<strong>"The spell you wish, to send you across the ocean in the blink of an eye, it is a rare and powerful spell, and beyond my ability to cast."</strong><br/><br/>Lunari stood, anger flashing in her silver eyes and she cried,<strong>"But you told Mara that..."</strong><br/><br/>Rassamin held his hands out,<strong>"I didn't say that I couldn't help you, just that I can't cast the spell myself.  It is beyond my comprehension.  However, I have obtained a very valuable and rare scroll, one that will allow me to cast the spell but one time.  But..."</strong>Now his lavendar eyes were the ones flashing, but Nirael doubted it was in anger, but probably more in anticipation,<strong>"The scroll is very valuable and very expensive."</strong><br/><br/>He turned to Nirael and asked,<strong> "So tell me friend of Lunari, daughter of Alher, my one time teacher, what do you offer as trade for such a rare and valuable scroll?"</strong>