The sceptical look from the older woman did not go unnoticed – her eyes seeming to almost bore through Parne’s skin, almost as if the older woman was trying to judge the very core of his being, as if the truth might be writ upon his bones that she might read them for herself. The nod from the younger girl brought a half smile to his face – a polite and measured smile, for he was certain that now was not the time to make the girls aunt all the more loathe of his presence there, not when it seemed he was so close to gaining the girls acceptance.<br/><br/>‘It won’t take us too long to get the physical location of the Ancients prison – perhaps half a day at the worst, but I do not know how we shall bear when we get there. Creatures of such power… well, I would be lying to you if I said I knew exactly what he were capable of – suffice it to say, whatever your Aunt might think I could do to you, he could do ten fold worse to the both of us if he has enough of his power regained… That said, you will be more than capable of fighting fire with fire, as you will see in time.’ Hearing the girls concern for loosing time, he nodded solemnly – holding up a hand gently, as if an attempt to placate her. ‘We have thought of this already – we do not wish you to come to harm, and so we will take a minor detour to obtain a relic of some considerable power that will help protect you against such things and more.’<br/><br/>Parne almost fancied for a moment that the older woman was slightly disappointed that she were not chosen for the task, but he quickly dismissed the thought from his mind – now was not the time to be analysing, and the old woman was not important. ‘Your aunt will be well protected you have my word – there will be those of my kind watching, although we will take great care not to interfere unduly with your life any more than we already have’ he said with a slight bow towards the older woman.<br/><br/>'And you shall be returned within two days, you have my word' Parne said this without pause or thought, knowing only too well that they would be listening for his words, and any attempt to cunningly manipulate his promise would cause them pause enough to damage what he had done so far. The pact was made now - he had been told to do whatever it took, and knew that leaving here without her would prove far worse for him than breaking any promise made to the mortal girl. That said, he could feel the slight tug of the pact bond already, and he knew it would only get worse - a clock was ticking, and if he didn't have his task completed in time, it would not bode well for him at all.