***snip*** > "So" I said cheerfully " are we going to do something about J'layah's > sister or are we gonna relate campfire stories" grinning from ear to ear, > and I know what that grin can do to guys, especially when i give them that > toss of my hair with that little glint in my eyes. It gladdened J'layah's heart no end to see Mea casually saunter into their makeshift camp, apparently unharmed and unfazed by her solitary trek through the wasteland. She'd even managed to arrive looking refreshed and immaculate; with not a single speck of dust or bead of sweat to be seen anywhere......now *that* was a classy entrance! Even the bookish Alduin looked up from his writings, his eyes widening slightly when she tossed her mane of dark, luxuriant hair. At Mea's mention of her sister, J'layah leapt to her feet and addressed the group. "Would you like Twilight and I to scout the perimeter of yon citadel," she indicated the dark stronghold with the rose Balefire had given her, "in order to discover what we are dealing with? If fortune smiles upon us we may unearth a weakness in their defences, or perhaps even a secret entrance, though I do not doubt they are already well aware of our presence." With that, she reached into her backpack for a scroll case, unscrewed its cap and carefully dropped the rose into it for safekeeping. As she replaced the cap she regarded her companions, awaiting some response to her suggestion.......