Returning to the room, Darien and Harvey wait patiently while Lord Lonsdale and Lord Raeburn sign the document. For a moment, there is a heavy air of tension between them, but then it seems as if the room relaxes. It is done, at last.

"O'course, wae'll have tae send a runner tae that penny-pinching scoundrel Kremp. Damned lawmen'll probably take a fair countae their fees all'n the same. Still, I'm glad it's over."

"And I, Robert, and I...hmm...yes...indeed, perhaps we should, I don't know, have a drink again, sometime soon. For old times' sake."

Lord Raeburn's face splits into a wide grin. "Oh, aye, I could problae manage tae do that."

Shortly, Lord Raeburn makes his excuses and leaves. Lord Lonsdale sighs contentedly, looks kindly at Darien and Harvey and rises from his chair. He walks unsteadily over to the strong-drawer of the desk in the room and unlocks it with a key from around his neck. From within the box he pulls out what looks like a fantastic woodcut of a dragon's head, a couple of inches in length but beautifully worked.

Lord Lonsdale hands it with great care to Darien.

"As I promised, I entrust my part of the amulet into your care for the duration of your conflict. May you swear to only use the powers of the amulet to uphold justice and honour, and to remember that you are holding something now which has been in the Court for centuries. It is, without question, priceless. I trust upon your word and your honour that it shall be returned to me."

Darien takes it in his hands. Incredibly, the head seems far lighter than it looks, weighing little more than a small roll of bread. In a way, Darien is almost disappointed. Although it looks incredible, there is no magical essence from the amulet at all, no feeling of gravity or importance. For a moment, he wonders if he has been cheated, but he remembers being told that individually they are powerless. He can't help a certain skepticism about how powerful the four are together...how much of their power resides only in myth and legend?

After a moment, there is a brief crackling in the air and the voice of Mertok echoes eerily in their heads.

"Ah, found you at last. Crystal ball is up to it's usua...hello?...curs...amn this wret...all. Ah. That's better. My word...you have one of the amulets. Marvellous...ah...oh, not aga...this is get...look, I'm not sure how well yo...ear me, but there's bee...roblem. The Fortress is und...iege, so we'...ve to work out a wa....sneak you in when you get here.

"Go to th...dezvous point at the edge of the Tula fields, near Verda...know it's close to the Raid...ut there's nowhere much better nearb...ait for the others, you might be ther...ew days. Be prepa...o wait. If you are discovered, try...ack on your own. Remember, we ne...mulets. Godspeed."