It hadn't taken much for me to spill what I had learned, having heard someone mentioning rumors that could lead them to discovering a new Artifact, even if I hadn't known what they were talking about at the time. I hadn't even know if it was important or just them talking about some piece of old junk they'd heard about. Having seen what Judar had been able to do with the one he had, I finally realized just how important this rumor was. It was no wonder that David was able to maintain such control if he had such weapons at his disposal.

"They aren't all weapons. Oh, don't look so shocked. I didn't read your mind or anything like that. Your expressions and body language are so easy to read, I don't need any powers to help me figure out what you are thinking. I'm not a tactician for nothing." I couldn't tell if the look on her face leaned more towards irritation or boredom, but I do know that I don't want to get on her bad side, not if she had David's favor. And I would have to be blind to think she didn't after what happened in the 'throne' room.

"You're the Tactician?!" The shock on my face had her trying to smother her laughter behind a hand, the other grabbing onto the back of a chair, Leon simply watching us from a corner of the room with a bored expression.

"If you are done Anneth, I would like to start asking her my own questions now. After all, it's not often someone from outside the city is captured alive for me to gain information from. Usually the boys kill them all long before I ever have a chance to meet them. Of course, the ones that do survive are usually clueless about anything." I shivered a bit at the look he gave me, unsure if I wanted to be among those he listed as clueless or not. "Let's hope this one has something new to tell me that I can add to the maps."

Yeah, let's all hope, because I really didn't like the thought of where I would end up if I couldn't make myself useful with his maps. And I had a feeling he would know if I tried to make things up.

--------

"Really? You haven't ever heard of Ural? But it's only a few weeks travel from here! I mean, I know it's not exactly a populated city, just a few survivors here and there, but surely someone must have passed through here and mentioned it before.. Right? I mean, seriously... Hasn't anyone ever gone through the mountains before?" My voice rose a bit in shock, not having expected Leon to question to location I had named.

"Through the mountains? Nobody has ever come out of the mountains before and every man who has ever been sent into the mountains either died before they got out again or came back half dead after searching for a passable route. It's nothing but dead ends, drops off of steep cliffs or endless caves with tunnels leading to nowhere. Nobody has succeeded in making it through the mountains before, so tell my why I should believe that you of all people have been to this city you claim lies in the midst of them." The disbelief that was thick in his voice had me almost standing up to yell at him. Did he think me weak simply because I was a female?

Suddenly, I relaxed in my seat, a certain memory coming fresh into my mind as I leaned back and sent him a vicious smile.

"But did any of them try finding the right tunnel to go down?"

--------

Standing in front of David, Leon was almost bursting with excitement as he motioned to various spots on the map that was spread across the tabletop, but it wasn't until he began pointing out a particular part of the mountain range while he spoke rapidly about caves and tunnels that David began paying closer attention.

If this cave he spoke of did in fact lead to a tunnel pathway, then maybe somewhere in this city lay the hiding place of one of the Artifacts they were searching for. Sadly, with the rumors so vague and the few writings about them so worn and fragmented, it was impossible to know which Artifact might be there. And that was only if this was the city written of on the scrap of paper hidden away in Anneth's chambers. He had to know, needed that confirmation from his Tactician if this might be the one.

Sure there was a chance it might be another practically useless Artifact, with no purpose outside of specific situations. But for David, even the slim chance of it being the one he was looking for, the one that had started him searching for them in the first place... He couldn't just ignore this opportunity.

"Anneth." David's voice carried through the room, halting Leon's words as he worried if he had done something wrong. "What do you have for me? What is the likelihood?"

Silence filled the room as everyone but David turned their heads to look at the pale-haired woman standing beside their leader, a finger raising to tap at her chin as she contemplated her answer for a moment. Nobody dared to speak as they waited for her to answer, a few shivering as they remembered what happened the last time someone interrupted her thinking. Kou-ha had been quite happy for weeks afterwards, enjoying having a new 'friend' to play with in the dungeons.

"I would have to say that the chances are very high of finding another Artifact. The placement of the city suggests that it could be one that held great import, since all the strongest ones we have so far have been in places difficult to reach. Of course, that doesn't mean it will be one you would find useful, but it might be worth something to us nevertheless." Looking over at David, she furrowed her brow for a moment before speaking again. "I recommend sending a small group after it. The girl can lead them there in return for her life and I would recommend sending Leon along with her, since she seems to get along with him enough to listen to him."

"Very well. But make sure Judar goes along as well. He's been bothersome lately and I need some peace and quiet from his bickering with the others about that stupid peach tree of his. Let Leon deal with him for a time. Besides, I will be having a guest to entertain and he doesn't get alone well with Judar." Pushing away from the table, David slipped his hand into Anneth's and looked to Koumei. "See that this is done and show Anneth how well you have been taking to her teachings. Fail and I will make sure you regret keeping her away from me during those lessons she gives you."

It was lucky for Koumei that Anneth made sure David knew how important her Apprentice was to her. She didn't want to have to start training someone all over again, not when she'd found someone who seemed to take to her lessons like a duck to water.

Still, that didn't stop Koumei from worrying.