School of Life, Old Collegia Esoterica
Although the Rephidim campus is largely abandoned, some sections still see plenty of activity. The School of Life is one such, serving as the city's premier hospital outside of the Temple itself – although catering exclusively to those who can afford the high costs of Life Magic.

The halls gleam with polished marble and deeply stained woods, with plenty of natural light coming from windows and skylights. Attendants in smocks and quiet slippers scurry about on errands through the maze of corridors as well, making the place seem chaotic. Luckily, Spring Meadow is able to lead the group of Karnors, Lapi and Tasha through the mess to the office of Mage Emeritus Latania, the former Dean of the entire Sphere of Life on Rephidim.

Just outside of the door, Meadow stops. The nervousness that Layth had managed to massage out of the Earth Mage returns, and she whispers to the others, "Please be very, very police to Latania. She has a very short temper with people who don't meet her standards."

"Calm yourself. Even the most fierce dragon can be swayed by a kind tongue and gentle touch," Layth assures Spring Meadow. "Do you not remember how you felt last night?" He even quirks a small grin and pushes his lop-ears back.

"Th-that's… uh… " Meadow stammers.

"Will be your reward tonight if you can remain calm today," Layth offers as a bribe.

"Tha's sounds wrong," Tasha remarks, giving Layth and the Earth Mage a funny look. She then puts a hand on her hip and waggles a hand at Layth. "An' I know wha' you're goin' to say abou' bein' righ' proper an' such. You don' 'ave to say it. I already know. I'm no' goin' to do anythin' to risk this." True to her word, she's dressed relatively conservatively, with a long side-cut dress, low cut tunic with sleeves, and her hair combed properly. She even smells a little like flowers.

"I know how to get on Latania's good side, if not charm her," Aaron claims, and looks to the wolves and does. There shouldn't be a problem with Aisha, and the Karnors are suitably respectable looking. Tasha should be okay, and Calligenia… well, she's dressed normally, even if she looks impatient.

"And you may wish to leave the talking to one of us," Layth comments to Tasha, though not unkindly, "Your accent may put the wrong impression across, even if your attire does not." He looks between those gathered, then adds, "And if no one is going to knock, I will… "

"You jus' keep your bunny 'ands to yourself, too. No' unless she asks. You're a righ' ladies man, even if you feign innocence, magic bun," Tasha warns back, smiling. She nods to the door, and shrugs. "I can keep quiet. Bu' one o' you better 'ead in first, whoever will make the bes' firs' impression."

Meadow opens the door without replying to Layth, lest she become more tongue-tied. Inside is a large waiting room with very nice padded chairs and a love seat, making it look like the drawing room of a noble. A Rath'ani man sits behind a small desk, and waves to Meadow. "Ah, here for the two o'clock, Springer?" he asks.

"I only touch those who wish me to," Layth notes as he follows Meadow into the waiting room.

"I didn' mean wit' fingers," Tasha insists. "No' at firs'." She tugs on Layth's shirt sleeve as she follows him inside, turning once inside to smile at Akkers and offer him her hand.

"Oh, hello Bosco," Meadow says as she approaches the desk – mainly to get out of the way so the others can come in. And party does fill the room! "Is she… tolerant… today?" the doe asks, glancing to a door alongside the desk.

"Reasonably so," the raccoon notes, and gets up to knock lightly on the door. "Your consultation appointment is here, Madame Latania," the secretary announces.

Gabriel takes Tasha's hand, and claims the loveseat with her. The other two Karnors try to get comfortable in the lavish looking chairs. Aisha has no problem looking elegant as she finds a seat, while Calligenia just stands near the door, looking uncomfortable.

"Why the expression of discomfort?" Layth asks Calligenia as he draws close to her (his tendency to try and calm the most uncomfortable person in the room taking over).

"They're early!" snaps a voice from the other side of the door. It opens up, and a white-furred, older doe glares out of it. "Spring Meadow, you of all people should know that proper punctuality… " the woman begins, then pauses when she sees the crowd.

"This place smells odd," Calligenia whispers to Layth. She tries not to glare back at the Cervani woman that was about to start shouting at Springer.

Tasha glances at Gabriel, looking almost like she might sit in his lap and not next to him. She seems to resist, though, settling down beside him and crossing her legs. She holds his hand in her lap, resting both of hers on it. When the Cervani enters, her ears shoot up, and she turns her full attention towards the matronly doe.

"Please forgive the disruption and short notice, Latania," Aaron says, stepping up to block Spring Meadow from further wrath. He bows to the Life Mage and even kisses the back of her hand.

Layth's attention immediately shifting to the angry Cervani, he speaks up, "Please forgive Spring Meadow and Master Lightfoot. It was not her wish to arrive early, it was mine. I did not wish for any unexpected delays on the way here to cause us to be late. Your time is most valuable and any waste of it would be unforgivable. If you are not yet ready for us, it would be our honor to wait here quietly."

"Oh… Mr. Lightfoot!" the woman says. "I… didn't know you were involved with this." Her attitude seems to soften a bit. Which makes her secretary and Meadow blink in apparent shock.

Though she begins to open her mouth, Tasha pauses, then shuts it. Instead, she just gives the doe a smile and pats Gabriel's hand a little nervously.

The Apothecary produces a small, ornate box and offers it to the mage. "A small token, Mage Latania," he says. "I thought I might use the extra time to explain our situation a bit."

Looking between Layth and Aaron in momentary confusion, the Cervani takes the box and peeks inside of it. Her eyes go wide, and she looks again at Layth – perhaps finally registering his size. "This is… no small token, Mr. Lightfoot. If you will step inside, I'd dearly like to know what is going on." She steps back into her office, and Aaron follows.

Once the door is shut, Bosco finally lets his disbelief show, and looks to Springer. "Did he drug her or something?" he whispers. The Lapi mage just shrugs.

Layth shrugs slightly, then follows Aaron.

"I've met doctors like that before," Remiel says.

Tasha stands up with Akkers, and whispers aside to him, "I wun'er wha' Aaron gave 'er to change 'er disposition so?" She glances at the smaller buck curiously, then faces Remiel. "Are you a doctor like tha'?" She grins a little.

"Not a clinician, no," Dr. Caravelli says. "You can tell from her attitude."

There are some odd sounds of shock from behind the door to the office, which is apparently padded to prevent eavesdropping even by Lapis.

"Oi, wha's all tha' abou'," Tasha asks no one in particular as she eyes the door. Seeing she won't be needed to enter just yet, she glances at Gabriel and asks him, "'Ow do you feel?"

Just outside the door, Layth rubs his ears absently. "Perhaps this was a poor idea. We should seek information elsewhere," the buck offers. "It could be a trap."

"A trap?" Meadow asks, while Calligenia actually perks up at the possibility of danger.

"Yes, a trap, given how much they have been walking around and spending time with people," Layth notes and motions towards the Karnors. "It could be a trap to get all of them together."

"There's no' much in elsewhere Layth," Tasha tells the buck. "No' unless we leave the planet or talk to the Temple, an' I don' like the latter idea at all." She then frowns at his words, and shakes her head. "Tha's would suggest Aaron is part o' it."

"Or they clubbed him after he entered, hence the sound," Layth points out.

There is a bit more undefined commotion from behind the door, but at least nobody is yelling.

"The Latania woman hardly seemed prepared to see so many of us," Akkers notes.

"If tha's the case, it's too late to escape," Tasha says. "The Guard would be 'ere, an' we'd be against Mages t'boot. Bes' we jus' maintain our course. Even caught, we're no' out o' options."

"She was a deer," Dr. Zerachiel says. "Did you notice that? Incredible." Bosco just looks at the visitors in confusion at the conversation.

"You must not be used to actors, then," Layth notes to Akkers. "A trading ploy is to often act surprised in order to lower the guards of those you are trading with."

The office door flies open then, and Latania steps out to bark, "Bosco!" The Rath'ani jumps up and grabs at his chest. "Yes Mage Latania?" he finally replies.

"They're new 'ere," Tasha informs Bosco, smiling nervously. She seems about ready to add something when Latrina arrives, causing her to pause, then shut her mouth and watch the Mage intently.

"I need Journeymen Timmons, Petunia and Kestrel to prepare Ritual Room Four for a major ritual," the doe says. "Tell them it will be for a Grand Diagnostic, three subjects, full depth. But no Illusionist needed, or Spirit Mage. Just get me a sober Chaos Mage, one who can keep his mouth shut. When that's done, come see me in Examination Room Twelve."

"Yeah, clinician for sure," Eli mutters.

Layth frowns a bit, but says nothing.

Tasha mirrors Layth's frown, glancing at Akkers apprehensively.

"Well?" Latania asks her stunned secretary, and then claps her hands together. "Today, Bosco."

The Rath'ani bows and mutters a quick apology before racing out of the waiting room.

Once he's gone, Latania seems to become more ladylike once more. "Please forgive the noise, gentlemen. You have to keep a firm hand with the younger generation or they will fall into slothful ways." She gives a quick glance at Spring Meadow with that comment.

"I promise to exercise more!" the Lapi girl blurts out.

"Oh, I can sympathize," Dr. Zerachiel, the oldest of the Karnors, says with a smile and a nod.

Tasha suddenly looses a laugh at 'keeping a firm hand on the younger generation,' before quickly covering her mouth and looking away from Gabriel. "Oi, ahem. 'Scuse me," she apologizes.

Layth, for his part, says nothing on that particular subject.

Aaron comes up behind Latania, and scoots around her. "Ah, I had to explain things pretty clearly to ensure the ritual is successful," he says to the others. "So she knows you men are from the Expedition, and that you've been treated with magic once already." At the mention of 'magic', the Cervani's nose wrinkles up in a quick sign of disapproval.

"I assure you that if there is anything physically wrong with you it will be discovered and treated here in a proper and thorough manner," the Life Mage proclaims.

"Mmm," Layth comments and looks at Aaron. "I will trust in your judgment on revealing the information, then. I hope it will not prove misplaced," he says in Skeek. To Latania, he asks, "And I hope in complete secrecy and confidence of only those gathered?"

"Well, tha's that then." Tasha shakes her head, then pats Gabriel's arm as she looks back. "At leas' we won' 'ave to tack agains' tha' wind 'ere." Then, Tasha steps forward and offers, "I know I'm no' much wit' formalities, bu' I wan'ed to at leas' thank you righ' an proper up front. For 'elpin' them, tha' is. They mean a lo' to me, an' I'd feel wrong if I didn' at leas' say thank you, Madame Latania." Then, looking a little awkward, she bows her head to the Mage.

"Doctor-patient confidentiality is honored here, sir," Latania replies, and looks Layth up and down once more. "I never thought I'd see a live Amazonian," she mutters. "And… I have no love of the Temple, in any case," she says out loud. She blinks at Tasha after the 'thank you' comment. "Hmmm, I'd really like to examine you in detail as well if time permits."

"How much will this cost," Calligenia finally asks, getting right to the point.

"I am glad to hear that. Forgive my worries, but as you now understand, there is much at risk with who and what they are," Layth says and bows to the Cervani. Brow furrowing for a moment, he then has to ask, "Do you have a concern with Amazonians?"

Tasha blinks at the request, putting a hand to her chest to indicate herself. "Examine me?"

"Well," the senior mage says, rubbing her throat for a moment, "There are various reasons why this procedure can't be fully documented. It will be less than what it would be under ordinary circumstances."

Aaron smiles and winks to Calligenia. "Don't worry about it, you'll still have plenty of profit left over."

To both Layth and Tasha, Latania says, "There is much to be learned from hybrids and stable mutations. Such as if Amazonian warriors really are mutations."

"Does that mean you wish to examine me as well?" Layth finally asks. He had assumed her interest was primarily in Tasha.

"I'm for i' if you 'elp 'em, it's the leas' I can do," Tasha agrees. She then steps back and retakes Gabriel's hand, and smiles at him. "Anythin' for my Karnors!"

"Another time, perhaps," Latania notes. "There are more pressing issues to be dealt with first." She gestures to the Karnors, and says, "If you men will come with me, I'll give you a general physical examination to start with, and make sure you are fit for the larger ritual."

"I'll stay with them if the rest of you want to visit the Library," Aaron volunteers. "It will probably take an hour for the exam, while the ritual itself… " he says, then pauses to look at Latania.

"The Grand Diagnostic should be finished by tomorrow evening," Latania notes.

Tasha frowns a little more, but nods. "I guess we'll be 'ere a while. I'll trus' you to watch out for them, Aaron. Layth an' I will be in the Library." She pats Gabriel's hand, then looks up and tells him, "Jus' remember, even if I'm far away, I'm always righ' 'ere." Then, she pats his chest, right over his heart.

"Mmm, more waiting," Layth comments to himself quietly. "The library would be useful. There are a few things I wish to look up and it sounds as if we will have more than enough time. We could also have Spring Meadow show us the campus and dorms, if we find for need of something to do," the buck notes.

"Oh, yes, I can do that," Spring Meadow says, smiling. Aisha also looks interested in a tour, while Calligenia… well, she just looks a bit bored.

Casting a glance to Calligenia, Layth asks, "Is there anything you wish to do?"

"Do they have an armory?" Callie asks.

"I'll do my best to survive, Tasha," Gabriel promises, and kisses the back of the woman's hand.

"Doubtful. But, they may have a gym and a boxing ring," Layth answers, but looks to Meadow to confirm.

"Umm, actually we closed down the gym," the Earth Mage explains. "Anisa got everything. That's how she opened up her gym."

Tasha's ears shoot up when Gabriel kisses her hand, and, even though she's red by default, she looks a little redder in the ears. "Oi, so gentlemanly." She then grins, and adds, "I could get use to tha'. Might be I'll learn to curtsy, all for you." She then smiles, squeezes his hand, and lets go so he can leave.

"If I promised to spar with you later, would it help? I know this isn't what you are interested in," Layth asks of Calligenia. He knows full well Amazonians don't normally spar, but it's the best he can think of offering her right now.

"Hmmm, that would be fun," the chocolate doe admits, before standing aside for the Life Mage.

"Come along please," Latania says to the Karnors. "And don't worry – I understand how valuable you are, and will be very careful not to cause you undo distress."

"It is a date, then," Layth tells Calligenia. His eyes keep flicking to Latania, as if he doesn't quite trust her.

Clapping Layth on the shoulder, Aaron tells him, "Don't worry, I'll be there too. Latania serves Nobles mostly, so she knows how to keep secrets."

Tasha quirks an eyebrow at the Mage's remark about how 'valuable' the Karnors are. "Good luck," she offers, trying to sound as positive as she can, not letting her own worries slip out. "I'll make you all a meat-somethin' when you're done."

"And I am certain Master Lightfoot can treat the indigestion that would follow," Layth can't help but joke. The buck even reaches over to poke Tasha's side lightly.

"They'll be hungry by the time it's over," Latania notes, and leads the Karnors out into the hall, followed by Aaron. "Meadow, try to keep them out of trouble," the buck comments as he leaves.

"I doubt anyone can save us from trouble," Tasha murmurs to herself as she gives the Karnors a wave. Them, turning to Spring Meadow, she says, "Well, les' get goin' then. Sittin' aroun' will jus' make me worry."

---

Library
The ceiling of this chamber is lost in shadow, filled with smoke that rises from the flickering torches securely mounted to supporting pillars. Shelf after shelf filled with tome after tome rises upward, some so buried in cobwebs and dust as to make one wonder whether they have ever been touched at all since being placed there. The flying buttresses, grimacing grotesqueries and other features give this room more of the feel of a mausoleum than a library. The lack of any windows does not help to dissuade such notions. Dwarfed by the columns, shelves and statuary are a number of tables, many piled high with books that no one bothered to put back, and booths and alcoves provide for more private study. Over to one far edge sits a large desk, near the arched entrance, where the library monitor keeps vigil.

The Library monitor is an ancient Khatta, his fur all gone to gray, who sleeps behind his desk. A hearing-horn is hung next to him. The Library is otherwise empty at the moment. There is a lot of empty space on the shelves as well, since a good portion of the tomes where taken to Caroban. What remains are likely copies or books on topics that didn't seem important.

Layth wastes no time in walking up to the counter. He raps on it lightly with his knuckles, then says, "Excuse me, sir. We wish to ask you a few questions."

"WHAT?" the elderly feline bellows as he's woken up. He sticks the horn into his ear, and says, "Who are you lot? Experiments aren't allowed in here!" At the last, he points to Tasha.

Tasha sweeps her gaze across the Library after entering, and she doesn't stop looking after the group continues inside. "Oi, I've never seen so many books," she admits. From what she's said about her life, Tasha hasn't seen many books at all. Reading, it would seem, isn't a high priority skill for airship crew. "Think this is where they bury dea bo-" Abruptly stopping when pointed at, she stares at the old man a long moment before going, "Oi, 'ey you ol' ghost, I'm no' experimen'!"

"Ahh," Meadow says, rushing up next to Layth. "They're with me, Gandorf," she says, smiling to the old Khatta. "You remember me, right? Spring Meadow? I brought you a sandwich once."

The old man turns his milky eyes to the Lapi doe, and smacks his gums a few times. "You had the roommate what alphabetized the stacks, right?"

Ears down, Meadow says, "That wasn't my fault, sir."

Tasha folds her arms and huffs, shifting all her weight to one leg. "Why's it always me," she mumbles.

"Well, no funny business, then," the old man says, leaning back into his rocking chair. "This isn't a snogging spot, remember."

"Of course not, I promise to only 'snog' her in the privacy of her dorm," Layth assures the old Khatta. Apparently the buck is in an odd sense of humor mood. "We would like to see what books you have on Sifran crystals."

"An' other worl's," Tasha adds. "'Specially Abaddon."

The man waves a hand that crackles when it moves. "Section… uh… Grune. Grune, yes." The man then removes the ear-horn and immediately falls back asleep.

"I am tempted to stuff a turnip in that ear-horn," Layth notes absently. Turning and walking towards the stacks now, he looks at the signs. "Now, where is grune… "

Tasha just shakes her head slowly. "Never mind," she says, giving up. Looking to Spring Meadow, she waves the woman to lead. "Grune the way, aye?"

"Ummmm," Meadow goes, putting a finger to her lip and looking around the giant room. "I think it's… this way," she says, and heads off up some stairs.

Layth diverts from his quest and just follows Spring Meadow.

Tasha follows after the doe, looking around once again as she walks. "S'awfully gloomy. Are all libraries like this, Layth?" She glances at the man.

"The ones in Abu Dhabi are very brightly lit and cheerful," Aisha notes. Calli follows along quietly. There aren't any libraries in Dianus for her to compare too.

"There are usually more books and a much heavier smell of must, regardless of how bight and cheerful" Layth adds to Aisha's answer.

"Mum an' Cap'n Eyeshine tell me I ought an' read more, tha' a cap'n needs to know their letters an' numbers to be good. S'not like I can't, mind, I jus' don' get much o' a chance," explains the Vartan as she walks.

"I find reading and writing to be very cumbersome," Calligenia comments. Meadow finally comes to a stop, and looks around. The stacks have odd symbols instead of letters or numbers. "Okay, I'm pretty sure this is the rune for Grune," the doe notes.

"I had to keep books and notes for my Master," Layth comments absently as he now peers down the indicated stack, "It is a useful trade skill, Calligenia, you should become an expert in many languages if you wish to become a master trader." The buck then heads down the stack, looking at titles. Specifically, he looks for any book that might catalog previously found Sifran crystals and if any theories on the meaning of shape have been formed.

One tome is titled Mandrake's Catalog of Useful Crystals, and next to it is Crystals of the Ancients.

"Other worlds, other worlds," Springer mutters, looking about.

"Well! Let's see wha' we can find." Tasha leans forward and begins running her finger along the book spines. "Man … Man … Oi, Mandrake's Catalog o' Useful Crystals." She gives Layth a wry look, and suggests, "Maybe we ought an' look for so-an'-so's book o' evil, murderous crystals."

Layth pulls both tomes from the shelves. "Let's start with friendly crystals first, shall we?" he notes to the Vartan. "So … I will look through the book on ancient crystals. Who wishes to look through the catalog and see if any match the ones we recovered?"

"Umm, you two are the only ones who've seen them," Aisha points out to Tasha and Layth.

"Well you won' find them in there, then. They're righ' wicked crystasl. They did somethin' to MOTHER, made 'er crazy if she wasn' before. Made 'er wan' 'em more than anythin'. Made 'er kill to keep 'em," Tasha notes, darkly. Shrugging, she nabs the catalogue out and begins flipping through pages. Given her speed, she's probably just looking at pictures.

"And you have not peeked?" Layth asks Aisha.

"Of course not," the golden doe claims, looking shocked at the suggestion.

Layth opens the book on 'Crystals of the Ancients' and starts skim-reading, looking for things that may initially sound similar to what they found.

The first chapter in the catalog is about Rainbow Crystals, along with with drawings of typical formations. "While glowing brightly in the presence of active or ambient magics, these crystals also glow in the presence of Sifra Crystal formations, such as in the various natural underground chambers of Rephidim," it notes.

Most of the crystals in Ancients are large structures, with maps and drawings accompanying them. A few of the entries are on smaller ones, considered to be 'valuable works of ancient art' by the author. There is almost nothing at all dealing with what the crystals might originally have been for, however. The only notes are that they are immune to physical or magical probing.

Tasha looks up at Aisha, studying her a moment before saying, "I'd rather show you m'self than tempt you to peek alone. There's somethin' none-too-righ' abou' those things. Wha's more, I know they're importan' enough to the ancients tha' they'd sacrifice much to keep their knowledge. MOTHER wouldn' tell me anythin', said my, wha's the word, clearance wasn' 'igh enough. Said only somethin' called the Ministry 'ad access. Sounded like some high-an'-mighty group o' the Silen' Ones." She then returns to her book, flipping pages and searching for even the vaguest visual match.

One part of the catalog deals with works of art, but like the one Layth peruses, none of the images quite match. And of particular note may be the fact that none of the images shone have holes in them like The Cheese artifact does.

"So, they know a whole lot of nothing," Layth comments, sounding a bit annoyed, as he continues to look through the book. "Nothing looks like what we found."

"Nothin' 'ere either," Tasha reports in. She continues searching, biting her lip as she goes. "From wha' I learned on The Fenris, Sifrans weren't even 'ere when the Expedition arrived. The records tol' me the First Ones an' the Sifras were diffren', an' tha' the Expedition is no the First Ones. Sounded like the Sifras were one o' the First Ones, or came before, an the First Ones themselves were a whole range o' peoples tha' vanished long, long ago."

"Vanished to where? What did they even look like?" Layth inquires absently. He continues flipping, looking for statues that might give a vague idea as to their appearance.

"Oh, there are some books on the First Ones," Meadow says, looking around the shelves. "Well, about their archaeological sites. My friend Envoy even explored one, but… well, I never heard about it. The Temple took it over and nobody could talk about it. Plus there was the whole mess with the Babelites and dreams and stuff going on… "

"The Expedition didn' seem to know either," replies the Vartan. "From wha' the crew an' MOTHER said, The Expedition was formed from a lot o' nations o' the stars to come 'ere – Sinai an' the res' o' the worl's, I mean – and try an' figure tha' out. Somethin' abou' this place, plants an' such, wasn't reachable for a long time. They called it 'flattened space' – wha'ever tha' is." She glances at Spring Mead and asks, "Would you nab those for us, Meadow? An' remember, this is all for ours ears only."

"Who would I tell?" Meadow asks as she looks around. "These are all the old books. The new stuff went to Caroban. Probably not anything about the Gateway worlds since they've actually been visited… "

"So, then we are on a pointless quest here," Layth notes and closes the book he had been looking through. He returns it to its spot on the shelf.

Calligenia climbs one of the tall bookshelves, and lies down in one of the empty spaces near the top. "Mages have boring books," she notes. "The Priestesses of the Temples always told interesting stories, full of fighting and sex."

"If you 'ave any questions abou' The Expedition, I'll answer if I can," Tasha adds as she continues to search the book. A momnet later, she laughs a little, saying, "Look at me, I'm turnin' into a scholar." Pausing to look up again, she asks Spring Meadow, "Well, pass me the books on the First Ones an' Sifras – if the books even know the diffrence."

"I'm not sure we could get into the Temple library," Springer notes. "There is the Collegia Naturalis, of course. They study everything."

The Earth Mage keeps searching. "Here's one on how to properly pay respect and ask the First Ones for favors," she announces. "None of these old one will mention Sifras though. Only Scholars and my crazy friends even seem to know about them."

"Books on praying are not of help," Layth noes as he resumes looking through titles. "We need unbiased information, not stuff covered with the flowering of 'Gods' and 'Demons'."

"Can we even get there into the Collegia Naturalis library?" Tasha keeps flipping pages, almost done now. As for the book, she shakes her head. "I'm no' sure the First Ones do tha' sort o' thing. Wha' we need are records o' Sifran artifacts tha' 'ave been found and recorded. First Ones sites too, if you got 'em." She pauses, then asks, "Come to think o' it, I've been wonderin' somethin': if magic – or as the Expedition calls i', the Quantum Uncertainty Field – is weaker in the sky, does tha' mean it's stronger in caves?"

"The only thing of interesting note in all of this so far," Layth comments, "Is that no crystal in any book has had the hole structure like the cheese crystal. That may make it special." Taking a moment to rub at his ears, he continues, "And I wonder … if this field all of you talk about moves like air or water. If so, then perhaps all the holes in that crystal are intended to direct and focus it. Channels for it to flow in, much like how water cuts holes in rock and then follow the path."

"Well, on the surface it's stronger the deeper you go," Meadow explains. "On Rephidim, it's slightly stronger in certain caverns. There are these big crystal structures that run all through the island, and they affect magic."

"Perhaps it is a wind-chime?" Aisha suggests.

"Spring Meadow, Tasha," Layth says as he taps his fingers on a bookcase. "Would you be willing try something dangerous?"

"Tha's interestin'," Tasha remarks, sounding thoughtful. "I wun'er wha' 'appens when you go down far enough? Is it all one big Forbidden Zone down there, full o' insanity an' magic?" She shakes her head at the idea, apparently not liking it one bit. When Layth inquires about danger, she peers at him curiously. "You're thinkin' o' playin' wit' one o' 'em, aren' you?"

"I'm thinking of trying some experiments. We have a mage. We could see how they react to being exposed to small amounts of magic," Layth comments, then waves towards Spring Meadow. "We have crystals that no one has ever seen before, it seems. Therefore, there will not be anything written about them. So, it is left to us to do the writing."

"Wai', I jus' thought o' somethin' else," Tasha adds, blinking. "Is The Fenris was jus' a scout, an' ships tha' near Sinai crashed, 'ow in the worl' did it get three crystals? They came from Abaddon, so tha' may mean there's crystals on other planets. Does tha' mean there's magic there? Or … " Here, Tasha runs her free hand through her hair, " … maybe tha' magic runs through all the worl's? There's somethin' odd goin' on, an' I think The Expedition saw it long, long ago."

"Ummmm," the Lapi mage waffles. "I'm not sure about doing dangerous stuff," she admits. "And all of these books say magic doesn't affect the crystal. So… I guess nothing would happen anyway."

Tasha then nods to Layth, saying, "I don' like i' much, bu' those things worry me, an' we're takin' 'em a long way. I don' wan' them doin' anythin' to us. If they're dangerous, I'm willin' to jus' dump them in the sea an' be done wit' 'em for good."

"With those crystals, yes. But these appear to be unique," Layth notes. "And at this point, I'm getting a bit frustrated with dead ends. Hard to believe, I am sure, that Layth is frustrated, but there you have it. I'm willing to try anything if it gets us an answer."

"Well, I guess we have time then to try something," Meadow says. "Although a Chaos Mage would be best. Too bad Fenter isn't around – he'd do anything for a free drink or food."

"I am open to alternate suggestions," Layth adds with a small shrug. "But as it stands, beating one's head on a mountain is never going to move the mountain, only give the person a headache. We have to try something and quit hoping someone else has already written down the answer for us to just read."

"Oi, you're gettin' frus'erated an' doin' risky bits, an' I'm urgin' caution. The worl' 'as gone mad," quips Tasha, who grins. "I will say this: wha'ever they are, they did somethin' MOTHER, who was made o' crystal 'erself. She even said they powered 'er. Those three crystals were powerin' 'er! We 'ave to be careful." She closes the book in her hands with a thump, then returns it to the shelf. "Whoever touches them should be easy to stop if they go mad. I'm also thinkin' maybe they respond to light, like MOTHER did."

"Consider something, Tasha. They may only affect other crystals," Layth points out. "The Karnors were near them for six thousand years and they are no worse off from it."

"Oh, and singing," Meadow pipes up. "You can sing to them. Ummm… don't expect much from them though. I just know they respond to sound as well as light, maybe."

"Tha' system was seperated from MOTHER's control, bu' you may be righ'. Or, it jus' used MOTHER to get wha' it wan'ed – if i' wan'ed anythin' at all. MOTHER jus' seemed to wan' to keep them, at any cost. She almos' sounded like she was goin' to turn on those Ministry sorts if they came for 'em. I wun'er wha' was so interetsin' abou' them, to 'er?" She then gestures towards the exit, and adds, "Well, let's poke 'em a bit. Gra some crystals, some colors, an' some magic an' see wha' they do."

"Aaron has a fancy bathtub, so maybe water makes a difference too," Meadow notes, getting caught up in the spirit of it now.

"Then I suggest, yes, let us collect a couple small ordinary crystals, a light source, and test them against one. If nothing, then try a simple magic spell. Nothing special, nothing major. Just to see if we get any reaction," Layth offers. "And listen to me. When did I become all … decisive?" The buck shakes his head. "I am corrupted."

"Water is a bi' like crystal, I s'pose," the Vartan agrees. She then tigs at Layth's arm and grins. "I guess I'm rubbin' off on you, jus' like you rubbed off on me. Let's get goin'. I jus' 'ope the Karnors won' 'ate me for doin' this, bu' it's for them too."