Lerissa resigned herself to enduring a evening of smalltalk and meaningless pleasantries.  Jorin had asked her to accompany him to the ball celebrating their dig in Xendrick and she had never been able to refuse anything that the saintly old man had asked of her.  Though she was currently reconsidering the descriptor of "saintly" considering that the old mage had promply abandoned her to the attentions of a group of young courtiers almost as soon as they had arrived.....

She knew what he was up to of coarse.  He was always saying that she should get out and socialize more and that it was unhealthy for an attractive young woman to spend all of her free time locked away in her room studying or meditating.  She knew that Jorin meant well, but she could never adapt herself to the frivalities of societies upper circle.  Though it had been years since Jorin El'than had taken her in, she still remembered vividly her days living on the streets..... the constant fear and hunger.

  How many of the downtrodden and starving could have been fed and sheltered by the gold spent on this ball she wondered before turning her attention back to the young lesser noble currently torturing her with his attention.  She kept a fake smile on her face and laughed at some crude witticism the young man made (Bluff 27) and engaged him in meaningless small talk (Streetwise 17) all-the-while idly contemplating the idea of reducing him to a vegetative state and stealing longing glances to where Jorin stood smiling at her while he engaged in conversation with a pair of archeological scholars about the significance of one of their findings.

Her attention was drawn to the front of the hall as an oddly assorted group entered ball.  Jhandar she recognized from some of her mercenary work with his house, but the four accompanying him were a mystery.  The somewhat dashing young human was a common enough sight at these parties as was the elf, though his stern demeaner was in stark contrast to the elves of House Phiarlan.  A drow and teifling however were much more of a rarity.  Lerissa had never met another of her kind amongst the upper circle, much less one of the dark elves.  Her curiosity peaked even further as her keen ears picked up on the whipered tales of their deeds, especially when the words "mind magic" were uttered regarding the kidnapping of a scion of House Deneith.

"Excuse me m'lord, but there's some people I need to talk to.  You understand of coarse."  She shot the young petty noble her most dazzling smile accompanied by a psychic barrage of confusing and conflicting thoughts, images, and sensations (Distract power) before gliding past the suddenly stammering young man towards the strange group.  As she approached her pale eyes took on a pale green glow as she projected her thoughts across the noisy room towards the other teifling as he stood with the drow on his arm.  "I would be very interesting in hearing your tale as well, especially the parts about this mysterous figure and his strange mental powers." (Project Thoughts Power).

 is in the corner of the room wearing his leather armor all black but when he shifts you can see Arcane symbols shine blue through red when the light hits them. Broadsword at his side his spell of hide mark cast on him as always eyeing the crowd looking out for any make shift indviuas who might threaten the dig.(streewise 14) hes not one for small talk nodding at those who make eye contact always on the job hes here to protect the dig but .. in reality his search for his true identiy where he comes from and why... he has these marks that are soo strange even when compared to those who have mixed mark lineage... he thought he asked the kinda Dig researchers for there input when they earned his trust but ..... no got to concentrate on the job your being paid good money personal stuff later . He sees the group walk in and watchs he sees Lerissa glid toward them

seconed part of job keep her safe good man Jhandar asked him to do not sure why something to do with her power of the mind... he moves in to guard her doing nothing to hide his being there to make it obvise to hurt her would bring down a wrath a pain ... but its also becuase he curious who are these odd mixed group ar ethey the rescuers he heard of .... the drow she sparks more curistiy from him .... the job stick to your job..

"There's not much for me to tell you I'm afraid.  I've researched the subject rather exhaustively but there really isn't that much written down in the libraries about powers of the mind. I'm mostly self taught.  Master El'Than was only able to teach me basic meditation and self decipline techniques.  Oh, how rude of me. I am Lerissa, ward and student of master magus Jorin El'Than" , Lerissa sweeps a courtly bow. "I can tell you one thing though, the mysterious individual you encountered has mastery of his powers far beyond mine own.  I doubt I could keep controll of one of the strong willed Dragonmarked nobles for more than a few moments, let alone several days!"

Lerissa notices Kvahlin moving protectly behind her and buries a quick stab of irritation.  Where was he when she was threatened with death by boredom from the young courtiers?  Now that she's found someone interesting to talk to he feels protective?   Lerissa shook her head and smiled ruefully at her own thoughts.  The man was only doing his job after all and he had been invaluable in fighting off the attacks of bandits and kobolds that the archeologists had faced both at the dig site and on route back to Sharn.  She had hoped though that she had proven to the man that she could take care of herself.....

The young teifling woman listened with great interest as Anton wove tales of the group's adventures.  Though this man shared some obvious traits with the courtiers she had been afflicted with earlier, he at least had charm and wit, and his skill at storytelling was rather remarkable. 

"Very well, if you think that your master would like to hear the tale."  Korihor says charmingly to Lerrisa. The sheer number of woman who are showing attention to him is at first suprising.  He knew he was by many standards a handsom example of his race, but to draw this much attention.  Perhaps the chothes don't make the man, but maybe they do make up for quite a bit.  Although he primarly was interested in developing deeper ties with Kayndar.  Though so long as she was enjoying herself then he was happy.  Besides he doubted any of these women were much interested in him seriously he had no doubt it was the fragrance of danger, combined with the alure of an exotic race, crossed with the presence of these articles of a long forgotten time and place that made the thought of a well groomed, freshly bathed, adventure man seem more enticing.

Most of these women if they saw how little this life style actualy payed, or the mortality rate of it would not seek the company of an adventure for more than a single night of pleasure and be done with him.  After all, tomarrow he may die in some forsaken jungle, or in some deep dark pit in Sharn.  No it would seem that the only fit company for one of this life style was another of it.  After all who would want to leave a wife or husband at home alone to morn and miss you.  That would feel like hell to be seperated from the one you love.  No the best companion in life is someone who complements you, who can pull you away from the edge when you need to be, give you comfort when you need it, and share in your trials and tribulations.  These lovely birds in their guilded cages were nice to look at, fun to experiance, but their life was something that shouldn't touch his.  For if they were to love one of them, like Anton, or him, or the Paladin then it would break their hearts.  No, best to love one who is able, and skillful, and powerful enough to go with you into the deep dark places of Khyber.  To explore into the master with you without needing to lean on you for support, or constantly needing you to save them.  Because you may need them to save you.

Perhaps should they have another adventure he might right a book, "Rommance for the Adventurer"  A refective peice about how to find love while on the trail of a kidnap victem, or a great treasure.  That sounds good.  yes, the perfect book for the world today.  Perhaps he would eventualy share his idea with the others.  Get input from them.

Lerissa's eyes fill with warmth as she smiles back at her master, "Indeed master.  May I have the honour of presenting Korihor, Anton, and Galadriel," Lerissa guestures to each in turn, "the brave souls that rescued Lady Deneith. The final member of their party, Kayndar, is currently in conversation with master Algave."  Turning to the group Lerrisa guestures to the old man.  "Everyone, this is my master, master magus Jorin El'than."

  standing next to Lerissa Kahlvin trys to use his Arcana powers to feel out any dangers from the box also Speaks out loud when he trys to rember anything related to this praticular digg that he may have read from books he been researching ....

Kahlvin strains to detect any dangers from the box, but fails to shift his view to that necessary to see the arcane weaves surrounding the box.  He knows they're there, but, as occasionally happens, he's too amped up by the situation to properly concentrate.

On the other hand, he does remember some information about the dig.