She nodded in appreciation and spoke to the translator while including her head to the elder. "Tell him we said thank you and wish the same to him. We've come to ask if me might be allowed to traverse through the relative safety of you tunnels to Brindel. We have been informed by Aziz that this might be allowed if we could assist you with your current problem. As I understand it something has been stolen from your people that you would like to have back. We would be happy to help you retrieve it."

(changed Jack's text to yellow, the orange was too close to Aziz's brown to stand out clearly so you don't loose track between the speakers)

“Thank you,” Aziz translated. “Though the path you seek is fraught with the dangers of the fire worms now that we have lost the Bridging Stone, a blue palm sized gemstone that the fire newts stole from use . We have yet to get it back and only figure that they seek to use the stone to wage war on a different clan, that is the guess anyway.

“We have sent people into their territory to reclaim it but they have failed in acquiring it. The path without the stone is almost as perilous as traveling through the land above but there is no quicker way to reach Brindel. I have no problem with you traveling the route though the fire worms will probably incinerate you within the first few miles so to bestow the best chance upon yourself you ought to use the stone and will need to retrieve it,” the elder explained through the translator. It was not as if he were denying them use of the pass though it seemed clear that he was not recommending it.

“OH, boy ...” Naramis began under his breath as he leaned towards the Princess whispering in her ear. “I get the same vibe about him as I was getting about Aziz. Something just isn't right here but I suppose that won't matter, huh?”

It appeared to him that they had no choice in the matter. Jack had remained silent to the end. “How long ago was I stolen? Who among the fire newts has it? Is it revered as a religious artifact and kept in a temple for instance or kept by an individual.”

“We do not keep time in the traditional sense but about two moons. It is kept by the high priest so probably stored in their temple when not in use.”

Jack simply nodded as he absorbed some facts on the matter in on it.

Victoria was starting to get a sinking feeling about this herself. Fire worms did not sound better than scorpions but apparently this "bridging stone" would make the journey safer if they could retrieve it. She sighed and whispered back to Naramis, "I don't like it either, Naramis, but I do not see any other way around it. At least we have a master thief on our team." She gestured to Jack who was already getting more information about the job.

Still, something nagged at her inside. "And you will let us use this bridging stone once we help you reclaim it? We would very much like to assist but, as you said, many of your people have tried to reclaim it and failed. What makes you think we will have any greater success?" She directed this question more towards Aziz who surely would not have bothered bringing them back to his elder if he did not believe they would stand a chance in retrieving the stone for them. Unless the mission was so dangerous that the villagers no longer wanted to risk any more of their own people on the attempt. "We witnessed what power you wielded against the scorpions before. You clearly have a good deal of power. If you couldn't get it back from the fire newts then why do you think we can? I already told you we had no magic."

“You may use the pass whenever you wish if you recover the stone. The passage will be safe then.” Aziz translated for Hassan. Though the Princess had questions of her own and he translated for the elder along with his response so that Hassan could follow along, Hassan spoke and whether that was translated as well in some fashion was hard o determine at first.

“It is different with the scorpions. Up there on the surface I do not have to worry about cave ins for starters. Another factor is that the fire newts possess individuals that can counter and dispel magical effects.

“I do not think that you have a better chance at it but traveling to Brindel through scorpion infested territory is akin to suicide and the way through the pass leading their requires the bridging stone to avoid the fire worms, though you can travel without it you'd have been better trying to get through the scorpions. Simply put it is perhaps the easiest means. With he stone you would be able to make your way safely to Brindel.”

He reflected for a small moment. “There are a lot of fire newts though their clergy men are the worse. They have an affinity to flame as a species, get sluggish in the cold but have the powers of their strange deity to draw upon that causes them to immolate everything and one they can.”

Jack seemed to consider this before looking at his companions. “Perhaps you two should sit this one out”

She frowns again and gives Jack an uncertain look. "Are you saying that because you think we will get in the way? I understand why you wouldn't want me to come, I have no practical skills. I don't like the idea of you doing all the work by yourself." She looks to Naramis for support.

“Yeah, this doesn't seem to be a diplomatic mission or a scenario where fighting through hoards of enemies will do us any good.”

He nods a little though Naramis thinks on the matter as Victoria gazed at him, he had not been inclined to argue with the rogue figuring he could make some ample use out of this alone time with Victoria though it was quite clear that she is looking for him for support.

“Says who? Has anyone tried asking for the stone back or offering something for it's safe return and having to fight your way to it.”

Hassan perked up then. “I do not think you'll be able to use diplomacy with the fire newts. They obviously cut us off from Brindel because they wish to attack and hence why they have stolen the Bridging Stone to begin with.”

Victoria didn't like it but she reluctantly agrees. "Very well, Jack. You are the expert. If you do not think we can be of any use to you then we will stay behind. Please be careful though. I do not wish to lose anymore allies."

“At the temple you two would be a hindrance though up until then you may be useful in drawing off guards and the like if that makes for an easier approach,” Jack professes after a moment. “But I got the regalia back, which was protected by some nasty magical traps. This should be far easier.”

He didn't want anything happening to her, though he could always use the excuse that if she died he was out if his reward though he could not pretend that he was in it just for the money after all. Naramis would protect her no doubt.”

"I have faith in your abilities, Jack. I brought you along on this mission because you are the best at what you do. I merely dislike being unable to help." She looked to Naramis. A part of her still wanted to go with Jack, to help in whatever way she could, but she knew her limits. She also knew instantly that she could not send Naramis away with the thief either. The man was fiercely overprotective of her and he did not trust their hosts. He would never agree to leave her side. She sighed and gave in. "I suppose there is nothing for it. Go on ahead, Jack, and do what you do best. Naramis and I will wait here for your return."

He considers a price o keep with the appericate of only being in this for the money but considers that even if he were in it just for the money then he would be too mercenary by asking to much.

“By your command it will be done.” He departs alone leaving the guardsman and the Princess alone. Thus far they had some time on their pursuers and hopefully they wasted time going into the scorpion breeding ground.

“We are a bit ahead of our pursuers and I doubt they know we are here. If Jack gets back in a timely fashion we should make better time beneath ground. The journey will be quicker than expected.” He pauses for a long moment thinking of something.

“What do you think of him, Jack that is.”

"I hope you are right, Naramis. I am anxious to get home. I will still have one unsavory task to perform once I return..." She still was not quite sure what she would do with her sister once she thwarted her plans. She did not want executing her only sister to be her first official act as Queen. Perhaps she could merely exile her but then what would she do if Natalie return in a few years with Naamathite and an army? "I do not look forward to that task but something will have to be done. I will worry about it later though."

Naramis' next question gave her a moment's pause. "What do I think of Jack?" She repeated then searched the guard's face. He seemed worried. Victoria wanted to reassure him. "I think he is a capable man and I am glad he is on our side. Other than that I don't think on him much at all. I finally got you to look at me as a woman. There is no other man for me but you." She nudged him meaningfully.

“You're considering what to do about your sister,” Naramis admitted. He had pondered that dilemma a few ways. Of course he had a solution but that would be vastly different than what she would come up with. In the end the matter had been up to her.

Whether he was fishing for information about Jack or was honestly concerned about the faith that she placed in the rogue he did not say. Rather he let her explain setting a hand on her shoulder.

To hell with protocol and not touching her. “I know, your Highness.”

"Do you?" She asked, brows furrowing. She took his hand from her shoulder and pressed it against her cheek. "There is no one around, Naramis. Will you please forget protocol and titles? When it is just you and I, you may call me Victoria. It seems only fair considering what we have done together." She kisses the palm of his hand and the steps into his body to give him a reassuring embrace.

“Of course Prin – Victoria,” he catches himself. He had been addressing her as Princess for so long that it was easy to forget that he was doing it. His hand had been moved off her shoulder to brush against her cheek, his lips turning upward in a smile as he regards her for an instant.

She is quite a remarkable sight and while the room that Aziz and his people bestowed upon them had been a simple one he is not focused on that but on her,

A hand curls about her hip as he steps in to her, strong lips adhere to her own as he drinks from them once more allowing that exquisite taste to warm his soul as a warmth seeps over him at the moment. They should not be doing this though like the aphrodisiac he cannot stop himself but this time fore entirely different reasons

Victoria accepts his kiss eagerly, her body responding naturally to his touch. She presses against him, her hands friendly stroking his sides, his muscular back and strong shoulders. "Mmm..." She sighed, savoring the warmth of his kiss. She felt a delightful tingling of anticipation course through her. She broke the kiss and smiled coyly at him. "Is it time for you to remind me of some of the things we did the other night. Perhaps even teach me so new things?" She glances in the direction of the bed. "As I understand it beds are infinitely better suited for lovemaking than the rough terrain of the forest floor."