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it. Maybe you should give it to someone less likely to earn his attention.”
    With her mouth slightly open, Nyx stares at the barbarian and gently fingers her amethyst necklace. She pulls the Compass Key out of her pocket, the soft glow of its potent aura capturing her attention. Her thumb runs along the ruby and she feels a comforting warmth run along her arm. The half-elf frowns at the relic, her frustration at failing to unlock its secrets bubbling to the surface. Before she loses her temper and sets off another burst of foam, Nyx holds the Compass Key out to her friend, who leans away from the offer.
    “You’re the only one, big brother,” she declares as she approaches the barbarian and holds the relic a few inches from his face. “I don’t think Stephen will give you a second thought. To him, you’re a large brute and not worth his time. Please take this and keep it safe.”
    “He will attack me as soon as he sees that I have it.”
    Nyx gets a cord from her belt pouch and loops it through a hole in the Compass Key’s silver setting, turning it into a crude amulet. “I know you hate magic, but would you be willing to put your fear aside for the greater good? All I want to do is cast a spell on the Compass Key, so only the champions can see it. Very few people will think of seeing through such an illusion on you and my power will make it difficult for those that try.”
    “I could lose it in combat.”
    “I’ll make the cord unbreakable unless one of us unties it.”
    “A magic weapon could sever such an item.”
    “Then I’ll make a magic chain. It should only take a day to forge.”
    “I do not want it.”
    “Then what help are you?” Nyx snaps, regretting her words immediately. She lets her hand drop and the Compass Key clatters to the floor. “I’m sorry, Timoran. I shouldn’t have said that. Yet I do believe you’re the best one to take care of this thing. Our enemies wouldn’t expect you to have it and you’re not going to tamper with it like the rest of us. I also know your opinion on magic, so I won’t push anymore.”
    The barbarian rises to his feet and approaches the half-elf, the large man reaching down to take the Compass Key off the floor. He turns it over in his hands and admires the beauty of the relic. He runs his thumb around the seven gems, feeling a gentle tug on his skin when he passes over the pearl. The barbarian smirks when he considers that he has felt pinpricks and splinters with more force than the Compass Key. The simple strap that Nyx has tied to it comes away at the slightest pull and he lets the cord fall to the ground. Feeling the weight of the object in his palm, Timoran puts his other hand on his friend’s shoulder.
    “You are right,” he whispers, his blue eyes meeting her tear-filled gaze. The pair share a warm smile as he moves his hand to ruffle her hair. “I am the best one for this job and I need to get over my fear. It is clear that the champions will be gifted with magic. Perhaps it will do me some good to carry this. Though I believe a chain would be better than a leather strap.”
    “Thank you, Timoran. I’ll make the illusions now and get to work on the chain right away.”
    The barbarian nods in agreement, pausing when he remembers what happens when Nyx uses magic within the research room. She is already casting when he opens his mouth, the sudden taste of the anti-magic foam making him cough and gag as they are covered. The caster runs her hands through her short hair, averting her eyes from Timoran’s stern glare.
    “I think I may have caused the security system to become overly sensitive,” she mutters with an awkward chuckle. She lifts the bottom of her shirt to let the foam out and removes her other boot, tossing it onto a nearby couch. “I’ll go talk to Willow and Cyril about this before I try again. Yeah, I’m really sorry about that.”
    Timoran pats Nyx on the head and tucks the Compass Key into his bracer. “I wonder if this