The mountain with the mage tower in the center of the island was surrounded by a dense forest. After some searching, the party uncovered a long unused trail that led into the dark woods and closer to the center of the island. It did seem like a winding path later on, with twists and turns probably to avoid the more hazardous areas of the wild. There was no sign of any recent passage here, and near the overgrown trail was the remains of what must have been a waypost years ago.<br/><br/>When Al'Rhayel sat down near their landing, the sailors who were on shore to set up camp for the group looked at their captain for help. The druidess refused to do anything during the journey after the ghost ship, the crew had to work overtime to cover for her while she still took up space and supplies for a passanger. Now that they finally set shore on an unknown island, the druidess who could have been a great asset once again refused to help and was giving up hope. The sailors were irritated with her at this point, but they didn't do or say anything, save for a few glances towards Alyssa, meaning<em>"Do something about this freeloader Captain or we will."</em><br/><br/>The redheaded temptress was of course free to remain with the annoyed, rowdy sailors in nothing but her revealing leather top and loincloth while the other sought answers from the only obvious source of magical power on the island, but doing nothing at this point would accomplish even less than clinging to a faint hope would.<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Norton was at one moment on the shore talking to his aunt, and in the next, overtaken by vertigo felt the world blur and spin around himself. Trying to clear his head, everything went back to normal after a few seconds, but he found himself in a different place.<br/>He was in some sort of chamber, a decorated interior room furnished from the surrounding rock, perhaps in a mountain, or the basement of a mage's tower perhaps? He was standing in a circle of arcane runes and candles in one corner of the place.<br/>In his surroundings were several rich tapestries covering the walls, shelves of books and jars and small boxes lining two of the four walls. The rocky ground was mostly covered by equally fancy carpets, matching the tapestries in color and style. Every few feet, a mystical, everburning torch was mounted on the wall, glowing with a cold flame that would never go out.<br/>In the middle of the room there were several desks with piles of books and tomes and all manners of arcane reagents, including a crystal ball that showed an image of the shore where he was mere moments ago. In front of the scrying device was a beautifully carved wooden chair, upon which sat a figure clad in red and gold wizard robes, the heavy fabric obscuring most of its wearer's body with the hood on.<br/>To the paladin's surprise it was a pleasant, female voice that greeted him, and the speaker revealed herself as the robed figured turned to him and rose from her seat.<br/><br/><div class="floatright"><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">The Mage</div><div class="spoiler_body">(http://i.imgur.com/aoLiRZM.jpg)</div></div></div>He beheld a beautiful, young half elven woman with fiery hair and eyes glittering in the magelight like gemstones, adorned with jewelry that only added to her majestic beauty.<br/>"I've been waiting for you, Lightbearer. For years now I suspected Lux chose a champion to defy the Lord of Darkness. I knew that your quest would in time, bring you here. I didn't expect you to be this... young and handsome though. You have surely noticed by now that you are physically unable to leave the ritual circle. Be not alarmed, I will release you momentarily and you shall have your freedom, and answers that you seek. Before I give you either however, I need your word that you will not harm me. The arcane arts I have mastered... they come from a different source than your powers of light, and I do not wish to be smitten for the 'heresy' of practicing the arcane arts." As she spoke, the woman gracefully strode through the room and between the tables, her eyes fixated on Norton and not leaving for a moment. Was she the mysterious Masked Mage of Ledon Island? She seemed younger and quite open for someone who was supposed to be shrouded in secrecy.