The airship ride was long and fairly uneventful beyond a bit of bad weather over a few patches of sea. Eventually the water mage, Scarlet and her Silent-One companion returned to Rephidim. The Cheetah stayed long enough to help the Aelfin load her luggage into a coach and then departed to return his book to the Shiny Shoppe owner, clumsily stating that he would meet the mage at the college gates by sundown.

The Collegia Esoterica has certain advantages to being such a renowned place, and one of the most useful are free carrage rides for students returning to the collegia. After checking Scarlet's silver guild ring she found herself being treated to a bland (but filling) breakfast and a bumpy ride through Rephidim.

Monsters, assassin familes, and all manner of weirdness are remembered as Scarlet hungrily eats her selection of common fruits and vegetables with a side of juice. The smile that crosses her face is but an outward expression of her inner happiness at finally being back in Rephidim with so much to show. Her teachers should be pleased with her, and for this, she is greatly relived.

"Just a bit farther, ma'am. We'll be there in two shakes of a Rhian's tail," the Gallah driver barks and gestures ahead. "Any particular place you wanna be dropped off at?"

The Aelfin is addressed while dealing with a mouthful of food, and a wayward piece of fruit. She quickly whipes off the bit and chews down the morsels before clearing her throat and answering. "If it is not too much trouble, would you drop me off near the back entrances? I need speak with the head librarian and bring a heavy item inside. I would rather no one see what that particular item is."

"Alrighty, ma'am." The mutt snaps the reigns on the two Drokars and the carrage hastens a bit. The Collegia gates loom into view, but the cart veers away from them and follows the outside fence instead. Perhaps heading for one of the smaller and less busy entrances. "Whut type of item izzit, Ma'am? Ever since the mad fox the Collegia's uped their rules on handlin' certain types of things."

Scarlet frowns a little, consider the possibility they may not allow the item inside. "I am afraid it is quite dangerous, but I assure you, it is more dangerous where it is than within the hold of a hundred skilled mages. It is important we see it under a master's care soon." She tells the drives with a hint of worry in her voice. A pause and a flick of her ears follow. She does not remember any fox problems in recent times. "Tell me m'lord, what of this fox? I have been away in Sylvania for a good few weeks."

"I'll haveta take you to a more secure entrance, otherwise yer item might set off the wards. They've been practicin with security and have a purty well trained crew now. It jes' means we'll haveta go in through the teacher's entrance." The dog rubs his nose, steers the cart around in a circle and trots onwards. "Some illusion mage made a deal with a demon or somethin. Had a cursed staff and killed about thirty people. The staff is being held in the college until they can come up with a way to dispose 'o it, the fox disintegrated into little buggies. Nasty sight from whut the guards say."

The girl wrinkles her nose at the bugs comment. "Oh, how, unpleasant. I am glad I was elsewhere, even if elsewhere had a hydra. I find hydra much easier to deal with than bugs." She takes a few more bites of her breakfast and finishes off most of what remians, leaving only the juice which occupies her free hand. "I don't suppose this fox was an exile, was he? I had ran into a very odd exile fox who claim to be a 'Kitsune'. During our meeting there was some trouble with spirits and a Shiga."

"That'd prolly be yer boy. He wuz one of those life drainin' whozamawhutzits. Yer prolly lucki you got out with yer ears intact." The cart bounces as it crosses thorugh the gate and goes from cobblestones to a gravel path.

The girl puts down her fork and clutches her left ears. "That would be the second time a fox has potentially chewed on my ears. I belive there is smething quite disturbing about the fox mind these days." She smiles a little and sips her juice. "Well I am glad that was delt with. I myself have been trying to handle some problems in Sylvania along with a recently made lord and his party. It was quite exciting, infact. His castle was full of magical artifacts of great power and danger. I have never seen so many of them outside the College."

The driver makes a nervous sounding cough. "Sounds like a mite unplesant place, if'n ya pardon me for sayin' so." the cart grinds to a stop and the dog hops down. "Nowm just sit tight ma'am and I'll go and fetch the guard. Any papers or things I need to show 'em?"

Scarlet reaches into her pouch and fishes out both her the outline of her tests on the surface as well as a brief description of the sword itself. These she hands to the driver with a smile. "Would you please return those? I need to submit them to my instructor later along with some other paperwork."

Nodding, the driver takes the papers and sniffs at them. "Hmm… this looks like somethin' the spirit mages need ta look at. I'll see if'n yer instructor is available as well. Back inna wag." And with that the Gallah is off.

It's almost afternoon now, a few students can be seen nearby having an early lunch. Some of the guards have apparently been alerted by the driver and move to stand a respectable distance from the cart, but close enough to keep an eye on its occupant. One of them with a fancy headdress examines a pendant around his neck and nods to himself.

Taking this time to exit the coach, the Aelfin hops out of the vehicle with a bit a a stumble. She dusts herself off quickly and turns around to check on the wraped rectangle shape of the sword holding box to make cerain it is still where it should be, and not floating around speaking words of doom.

Currently, yes. The box is still secure. It's collected a bit of dust along the ride but seems intact. Scarlet will probably need to wash her clothes after this trip though.

The driver can be seen emerging from the gates, a Khatta in silvery robes follows beside him. The cut of the cat's clothes her to be a spirit mage and a graduate student.

After another flurry of dusting herself off the Aelfin frowns deeply and shakes her head, whining. "This is my favorite mage robe, too. I suppsoe I'll have to get it cleaned. I hope no one minds they being a bit extravagant." She shakes her head again and turns around to face the guards until the Khatta and the driver approach. She lifts a paw to greet them. "Hello! I am glad for such timely response. I fear I would rather see this item is delt with as quickly as possible."

"I am mage Wisp," the Khatta says with a bow and a voice as soft as her name. "We will be happy to put the item under wards for you, then. The collegia has set aside special places for just such things now in the event that we did find more dangerous items."

Scarlet returns the bow with a curtsey, something that is far easier to do when one is wearing a great deal of baubles. "I thank you for your assistance, Mage Wisp. I had considered bringing the item to the Cascades of Fire if there was no other option. I do warn you against this object however. Should it be released from its casing it may very well seek death by its own means by floating. Taking up such a weapon will lead to a curse, one I do not know the potential of. I also must mention its grand history. It was possessed by the Necromancer King and taken when he fell fighting the lords of Sylvania. Namely, a Lord Kurai."

"Bosch? We only go there if the whole of Rephidim is at risk." Wisp gestures to some guards who move up to join her, warding symbols and other protective bangles hang from their armor. "Is the box the only item or do you have more? We can discuss the history a bit more deeper when we try to find a way to dispell or contain it."

Scarlet shakes her head a little. "I am also carrying an artifact that was given to me by the new Lord Kurai for my services to him. It is a magic want of some power, and it has saved my friends and myself a good deal of times. I would like to retain it, as it has proven to be only as dangerous as the intent behind it or the slip of the tongue. Beyond that I am carrying some iron bars I plan to give to the temple to assist in paying off my schooling debt, and a varied amount of potions of various sundry effects."

The guards gingerly take up the box along with the water mage's luggage. "We'll check everything for a taint. But the blade is the only actively malicious item then?" Wisp purrs.

Scarlet inclines her head in a nod. "As far as I am aware, the sword is the only actively dangerous item. Beyond its obvious requests for blood, it suppsoedly floats around and can kill without a master. The things some evil creatures create, I just cannot understand it." She answers with half hearted frown. "I must also say I am eager to get inside. It has been a long journey."

The Khatta nods. "Of course, of course. Please come with me, the guards will take your bags to the warding room for inspection." She motions towards the entrance door and starts to shuffle towards it. "You'll have to tell me about your experiences, perhaps they might help to shed some light upon some of the mysteries about Sylvania."

Following along behind the Khatta the Aelfin notes how nice it is to be amongst learned, polite and well mannered mages. Nothing like some of the places she has been. "I must say, it is so very nice to be back amongst the learned and polite. Lord Kurai is a very nice man sometimes, but he has quite a temper. Of course the knight he was with was much better, despite being under full armor. The bard was nice as well if a tad on the strange side. Of course, I suppose I owe him a bit of leeway in my review, I did almost turn him into a Fuff'nar." She giggles a little and gestures back towards her things. "You know I made these robes out of magic. I learned a great deal from being on the surface. I also learned something of Sylavania's history. It seems it was blighted by a battle against powerful necromancers, one of whom owned that sword."

"Lord Kurai… is he any relative of the duchess Kurai here in Rephidim? She's the one that owns the Opera House, although she's been dong some odd construction to it lately." Wisp's robe shifts as she moves, seeming hazy somehow. She opens a door and gestures for the Water mage to enter. "We'll wait here while your bags see inspection. Would you like some tea?"

Scarlet smiles more at the mention of Duchess Kurai. "Oh yes, I do belive taht is her. Quite the kind young woman. I owe her my passage on the airship and a thank you for my adventures in Sylvania. I am glad you reminded me of her, for I should see her and offer my appreciation for her kindness. As for the relations, I belive Lord Kurai is her brother. He is a black Khatta of a fine heritage, even if he does not play the part of a noble well." The girl enters the room and turns to face the Spirit Mage. "I certainly would like some tea. I would also be greatly interested in your own studies, if you don't mind me asking. Feel free o inquire of me as well. I am far more interesting after my adventure."

Wisp begins fumbling with a tea kettle on the far corner of the room. It looks lie a teacher's break room or a meeting room with a large table holding a plate of sweet biscuts in its center and featuring a few bland paintings of landscapes on its walls. "Ah… so you know the whole Kurai family then? Odd that you speak such of him, after the play about him I'd thought he was the dashing hero type. Oh well, it wouldn't be the first time such things were exagerated."

the Khatta places a steaming cup on the table along with the kettle, a bowl of sugar cubes and some milk. "I've recently aquired my graduate status and I've been helping with the Spirit mage programs, since the recent incident it seems quite a few apprentices wish to become mages of the Sphere of spirit. Now what was this about turning foxes into fuff'nars?"

Scarlet giggles softly at the mention od the dashing hero Kurai, Jynx the amazing. She takes a moment to calm herself and shakes her head. "Oh, he can be dashing, as much as he can be a grump. He does have a certain dashing charm though, and he is a fine fighter in his own right. He also has an amazing history, the least of which is the fact he has a fully armored 'Silent-One' as a bodyguard. I have never seen a Savanite with such wealth." She strolls over to the table and pours herself some tea, offering some to the Spirit Mage as well. "That is most impressive. I still have some time before I am able to graduate. I would like to stay with the College after graduation. Magic is my life and my journey, I feel no need to stray from it yet. Although I would like to return to Aelfhem to see if our alliance is holding with the Eeee. As for turning foxes into fuff'nars, it seems this wand has powers enough to do such a thing, except it has only a single charge to do so and has since been spent."

"As long as the wand isn't dangerous or causes no harm I suppose it would be safe in your hands. The sword will probably be kept held similarly with the staff." Wisp sips at her tea. "So what would you do now?"

Scarlet grins a little before she sips her tea and then answers. "It is only dangerous if one is loose in the tongue and forgets one is holding it. I quite nearly ade another Ms. Kurai with that slip. Of course, it is hard to keep ones calm in such a stressful situation as that was. It was an honest mistake. And I did at least tame a hydra. I am happy to say I need not kill to solve a problem." Another sip, followed by three more as the girl considers that question carefully. She glances out of the room for a moment then back to you. "Have you ever wondered where magic comes from? Why we have such powers, and what fuels them? I know legends of the ancients, but those can be very vague. I had always wondered if there was not more to the story."

The Khatta nods, "Ah yes. We all wonder those things. Why there are forbidden zones or where the First ones went off to. Do you wish to explore these mysteries? I wouldn;t even know where to tell you to start… "

Scarlet nods a little herself. "I would like to explore such things. I hear there are a great many ruins out there. Ruins of the first ones, abandoned places long since left alone because of the fear that the unknown breeds. I have even heard it may be possible to visit whole other planets. Certainly visiting the planet I know as the patron of my magics would help in the learning of my art. It may offer insights as to how magic is, and where it came from."

"That would be a matter to be taken up with the Temple, I believe. I hear that they are looking for people to explore the planets though. Would you like for us to try and schedule an appointment for you?" Wisp purrs, munching on a biscut.

The girl's eyes go a bit wide. The Temple. Such a scary place, and so much importance. By the way her ears go back, and how her mouth opens but seems at a loss of words, she clearly finds the thought a bit daunting. "My, the Temple you say? That… that is quite… quite… Well, yes I would. I, can say I find a trip to the Temple a bit unnerving. That place has always seemed a touch frightening to me, I must say. But I cannot allow such fears to get in the way of the truth that may help this great School and the people of Rephidim."

The Khatta arches an eyebrow, "Pardon me for saying so, mage Scarlet, but if you find visiting the Temple frightening than I worry to think what a visit to another planet might do for you."

Scarlet makes a dismissive gesture with her free paw after a sip of tea. "Of, do not listen to my worried babble. The Temple is frightening so an entirely diffrent reason. It is so very cold, and lonely. So many strange things there. But a bit of fear never hurt anyone, and my fear will not keep me from my duties. I have walked upon the muzzel of a great dragon and brought it to see the light of friends. I have faced magical monsters and delt with aggressive Eeee. I am one of the first of my kind to study magic. I tell you there are some things that scare me, yes, but they do not keep me from what I must do. I have come this far, and I will go farther." She explains proudly, unannoyed by the lack of faith in her abilities.

Wisp nods. "Alright then. Pardon me while I check on the progress of your baggage and we'll see about scheduling a meeting with the Temple as soon as possible. Is there anything else you need before I leave?"

Scarlet nods her head a little bit. "Do you belive the College is pleased with my progress, and of my recovery of the Sword of the Necromancer King? I worry if brining it here was a mistake, as it is so very dangerous. I did feel that where it was was simply too dangerous to those undefended Sylvania villagers. I doubt they could have fought off such a powerful artifact themselves."

"Better it go someplace where it can br properly contained and studied," the spirit mage replies. "The more cursed artifacts I see under lock and key and out of the hands of monster, the better I'd say. I will say that I'm somewhat concerned about this supposed turning Mr. Kurai into a Ms., and transforming Foxes into Fuff'nars, but I would need to know more about the nature of this wand before I make any judgements. Perhaps you can write up a report of your adventures and allow the board to review it?"

"Certainly. When I have some free time later I will write a review of what happened. I mostly belive my mistakes with the wand was due to a number of factors, not the least of which had to do with Lord Kurai's relation to a great assassin of days past, meeting a three headed hydra whos head reached the sky, being insulted by the bard repeatedly, and having never practiced magic upon the surface before. I am certain I can manage now. I took my days returning here to meditate on what was learned." The girl answers. She reaches over and places a snack upon her place before turning back to Wisp. "I will not keep you any longer, but incase you need it, I possess a letter of recommendation from Lord Kurai himself. He was not too upset. After all, his castle is filled with unknown magical artifacts."

The Khatta taps her chin, "I see. Well, until later, Mage Scarlet. We'll have your bags sent to a room for you to stay in while you remain in Rephidim. Be well." And with that she bows and departs.

"Be well, Mage Wisp." The Aelfin leans over to nibble on the snack she gathered earlier and smiles, her ears perked up happily. "It is SO nice to be home again. Real food. Magic everywhere, and so much to learn. Adventuring is fun, but one simply cannot beat tasty food in the confinies of so much knowledge!"