Alana harumphed,,<strong>"Lets go then, we're not so stupid as to think that visible weapons are the only thing that form a threat.  Just follow me, and try to walk in my footprints if you can manage it.  Confusing our tracks means less chance of the orcs finding our camp."</strong>She turned and gestured to follow.  Her form was somewhat hard to discern under the tan and dust colored robes she wore, which flowed around her and billowed in the desert air.  But something told Tialyn that she was an able combat by the way she moved.<br/><br/>Makah fell in line behind Tialyn and said with a chuckle,<strong>"Don't mind Alana overmuch, she's always like this." </strong>It was almost as if he knew what Tialyn was thinking,<strong>"Ever since I met her in some caves in Lavastorm mountains, and saved her from a horde of goblins, she's always been.... lets say... curt?"</strong><br/><br/>"HAH!" Alana barked turning her head over her shoulder.  Apparently her hearing was quite good as she caught Makah's words,<strong>"First of all, just say that I'm a bitch and don't mince words.  Secondly I seem to recall wading into a pack of goblins to save you!"</strong><br/><br/>Makah chuckled again and continued,<strong>"Regardless, I think she cares less for the joy of uncovering hidden artifacts and more for the joy of battle.  I suspect she's actually disappointed that you didn't attack.  Where as I, on the other hand, am much happier to find a beautiful elven lass that is willing to ... hmmm... parlay."</strong><br/><br/>Alana's snort of derision could be heard even though she didn't turn back to face them.  But she did wave her hand for them to hurry, "Quiet now, lets hurry, I'm half sun baked and would be out of this heat."<br/><br/>The trio hustled along for another twenty minutes before dipping into a low shallow of sand blasted rocky crags.  The occasional shadow from sandstone and rock provided just enough shade for sparse vegetation to bloom and cluster, and Alana led them to a rather large overhang where, beneath it a medium sized tent was pitched.  It's flap fluttered in the breeze but Alana pushed into the shade beyond.  Tialyn followed to find a cramped but comfortable living space beyond.  A lantern hung unlit from the center pole, a pile of blankets in the corner suggested that the pair did indeed share a bed, or in this case a nest of bedding.  There was also an iron bound wooden chest in the corner with an ornate lock that glowed a wan blue light, obviously magically warded.  A few other expected items occupied the tent as well, a footlocker, some bags, etc, but nothing that drew Tialyn's eye.<br/><br/>Despite her curtness, Alana went to one of those bags and pulled a waterskin and tossed it to Tialyn,<strong> "Here, you look thirsty, have a drink."</strong><br/><br/>Malak however went to the chest and moved his hands in a specific way while muttering, causing the blue light to fade.  Then drawing a key from a pocket he unlocked it.<strong>"I'm sure you're eager to bargain for our treasures, and likewise, I'm eager to see if you can afford them.  These expeditions do cost gold after all." </strong>Flipping open the lid, he drew forth a small folding table and began setting items on it, as if he were a shopkeeper setting up items to be browsed.  Tialyn noticed that several of them had that grey haze hanging over them, the game's way of indicating that they were of no value or use to her, at least not at the moment.<br/><br/>However there were two items that weren't cover with the grey haze.  One a silver circlet, slightly larger than her bicep.  It looked like it might be a ring, but for a gigantic finger.  The second was a helmet, ancient and worn, not suitable for combat, but that somehow radiated a sense of power.<strong>"Fantastic aren't they?" </strong>Asked Malak,<strong>"I see you're interested in the ring of the ancient cyclops and the minotaur king's helm.  I tell you that there's a man in Qeynos who is very interested in that ring, but his funds are somewhat less than his interest.  I could let it go for five thousand gold.  The helm on the other hand, it's a curiosity at best, but I'm sure there's someone out there who would desire a rare antique such as this, one thousand gold.  What say you?"</strong><br/><br/>