<font color="white">Raymond

"I...well...what do I tell my friend over there? I couldn't just leave him. He was nice to me. Nobody had ever helped me before like him. I ...don't know what I should do." The young man peered down at his shoes, unable to decide what he should do with this free life that he had been granted. He didn't want to uspset anyone, nor turn anyone away, yet he had a life to live, and had no way of knowing how to live it.</font>

<font color="pink">Eliza

A spark of hope appears on her green eyes ~ "Wait here for me, then." ~ Chewing her lips, she then turns and walks towards Damien and Gavrouche.

"Well.. uh... gentlemen... "` she begins rather nervously, fingers strumming the strings of her harp subconsiously ~ "... I have a favour to ask of you, after all." ~ Heart thumping away like a wardrum, she tries to breathe deeply ~ "I would like to take Raymond with me away, to visit someone... I cannot say whom." ~ I can't believe what garbage I'm churning out... ~ "He has agreed to go with me. Alone."</font>

<font color="yellow">Damien

His eyes had widened at the sight of Eliza's approach, but now they flash as her words sink in ~ "So... Raymond has had a change of mind?" ~ His silky voice masking the anger he feels rising from within ~ "I cannot say that I understand this, nor do I wish to believe it."

His arm muscles tense up ~ "He seemed most keen to join me on my travels. I will accept his decision only if I hear it from his lips." ~ Gloating inwardly at the look of dismay that crosses her face.</font>

<font color="lightgreen">Gavrouche

Finally, he gives in to his whim and bursts out laughing, the only amused one in this group of four. ~ "Oh, give them a break, Damien! Can't you see the lovey-doveys wish to be alone?" ~ His loud voice travels to Raymond's ears, and he notes the flush that suffuses from the latter's face.

Chuckling further, he motions for Raymond to come forward ~ "Well now, Raymond my boy... it seems that you're in high demand today. Especially by this exceptionally pretty lass." ~ Here, he winks at the awkward bard ~ "Time to state your position now, lad. Your decision is final, and we'll not hinder your movements."

He shakes his head at the stern expression on Damien's face ~ "We've to play by the rules, my man. It's considered poor taste to coerce anyone into doing anything, whether veiled or openly."</font>

<font color="white">Raymond

Meanwhile, Raymond figits trying to decide...He thinks inwardly...
"What do I do? Why does this lady want me to go adventuring with her? Where does she think that I can take her? Is she just so interested in me that she would say anything? What about Damien? I do not want to betray my newfound friend...
Oh...what would mother want me to do?!"</font>

<font color="pink">Eliza

She tiptoes her way towards Raymond, and whispers in his ears ~ "Please... come with me." ~ Nudging him gently, she adds softly ~ "Imagine the fun we'll have, without too much danger."</font>

<font color='AACCFF'>Legolas

As the amulet was removed, Legolas came back to his old self. The box had opened and he could reach his regular thoughts once again. Yet he had not forgotten his short time spent with Sorsha, and the way she looked at him, talked to him. And now, she is asking him to leave.

"No Sorsha, I won't leave you. These men would have hurt you. The wilderness is dangerous, but not as dangerous if you there's a ranger to guide you. I have abandoned my plans to visit my friend already, and now I will help you avenge your friend."

He is determined to see her to safety, knowing that he has no choice in the matter anyway. Once before he had left her behind, unaware of the power she wielded, and leaving again would not change anything. He would only be forced to return to her later on, and while he was with her he could do at least something useful.

Bending over to retrieve the amulet for her, Legolas suddenly halts. He is certain the amulet won't harm him for now, but there is something familliar about it. He is unsure as to what it is, and it does not look like anything he's ever posessed. But the trinket disturbs the elf.
Finally, he picks it up and ands it to Sorsha. He decides not to ask any questions about it just yet.
"Come, Sorsha. Let's get moving. We can rest once we've put enough distance between ourselves and this place."</font>

<font color="white">Raymond

Desperately, Raymond tries to solve his dilemna of not knowing what to do. He could go with the girl, and maybe get broken of the terrible fear he has of them, or he could honor his commitment to Damien and fulfill his challenge that he originally set out to do.

..."I must stay with Damien. I have made a pledge to stay with him and help him, and I cannot back down."

Raymond feels his throat getting choked up, and his eyes start to glare over. He could not believe that he had been placed in such a situation as to hurt a person's feelings by choosing one over another. Yet, if he was to be a man...honor was something that he should cherish. He droopingly made his way to Damien's side.</font>

<font color="silver">Sorsha

Wearily, she nods ~ "I could protest a million times, but to tell the truth... I do appreciate your company." ~ She gazes into the horizon, counting the number of travelling days ahead ~ "I think we have about 3 more days before we reach the village of Ankhmor."

Together, they set out once more, Puka now trotting beside them more warily. He had apparently learnt this lesson - that no road was safe anymore, from this day. The day that the amulet came into the possession of his new mistress...</font>

<font color="yellow"<Damien

Not bothering to hide his smirk, he grins widely at Eliza ~ "It is as I said." ~ Turning to Gavrouche to silence him ~ "That's all I'm saying."

He slaps his left hand across Raymond's shoulders ~ "That's the right spirit, my lad! I can see you'll make a fine one..." ~ His eyes dart back to Eliza, and the silky voice speaks again ~ "You are must welcome to join us, lovely Eliza. There can be no doubt about that." ~ Euphoria strangely flowing in his blood ~ Why am I so elated over this triumph? A triumph which hardly matters to me?... Gavrouche is right... this youth will likely be a liability more than an asset... and yet, because of this wench, I gloat over my victory over him...

Smiling, he waits for Eliza's reply.</font>