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finally adding another part to this story...even though I've had it typed for awhile now...

The next morning Mia woke early and prepared for the meeting that would start her Quest. She was a bit nervous, as none of her friends would be able to attend. Those on a Quest usually worked alone, and few knew what those on their quest were supposed to accomplish. Solemnly, she ate a meager breakfast of strawberry yogurt and dressed best school attire: a long black skirt and a deep green top with black flats. After she walked nervously down the long corridor to the meeting hall of the castle. As she approached the door, she took a deep breath and entered the chamber. Inside the large room was the two ambassadors-she noticed Katarn immediately-the nine council members and the current High Minister, her grandfather who winked at her as he began to speak.
"Mia Olin, you are here to learn the details of your quest, are you not?"
"Yes," she replied, her voice steady and unwavering gaze fixed on her grandfather, though she longed to speak to Katarn in private.
"Then listen closely," he said, taking extra care to speak clearly and loudly. "The council and I have spent many days in discussion about this quest, as you are proving to be a very powerful wizard. Also, there is a growing threat to both our nation and our allies that has taken precedence in council duties. After our allies entered into our discussion, one of them suggested a solution to us," his gaze flickered only momentarily to Katarn before returning to the discussion, "and we have agreed that it is the best solution to both problems."
He takes a quick pause, and Mia takes this moment to steal a look at Katarn. She had not missed the exchange between the two, and she wondered how this would resolve as her grandfather continued speaking.
"Your quest, Mia, is to investigate the desolate continent that lies to the south of us. Last month our top diviner detected a strong, dark presence there, and since that time the island has been lost from any divination attempt. You are to investigate the trouble on the island and rectify it. Do you accept this quest, knowing both the dangers it holds and the consequences should you decline?"
Mia remained silent for a time, racking her mind for information on this island. Legend had it that the continent had been home to an ancient, and now extinct, race of advanced beings. Not much is known about these people, except that their doom came when they delved too deeply into the dark arts. Expeditions had been sent to the island, but none discovered new information about it. Before this moment, she had never heard of any trouble coming from the strange place.
Her grandfather must have taken her thought for hesitation and said, "You will not be alone, as custom usually dictates, as this mission could affect the safety of all races. You may choose two companions, and a third has already been decide by the council." Again the High Minister's gaze flashed to Katarn, and then to Mia, who finally began to speak.
"I accept," she replied grinning, as that had been her intention from the start. Mentally noting the second silent exchange between Katarn and her grandfather, she continued, "and I choose Diana Caldant and Peter Grally to accompany me."
A relieved smile appears on her grandfather's face, and he finishes the formalities of the quest. "The council has chosen Luke Hanon as your third companion. He will meet you at the castle gate at sunrise tomorrow. Go now and inform your companions of their quest and begin making the necessary preparations." As the council rises and begins to leave, he adds, "Good luck, my dear granddaughter," patting her shoulder gently, leaving the room last.
When the council, and unfortunately the ambassadors, have left, Mia grins excitedly and runs to inform her friends of the adventure. The sun shining in from the windows told her that it was about noon, and the patter of her feet echoed as she went. She stopped, realizing that the halls were vacant, and headed for the mess hall, where she reasoned her friends would be. Sure enough, Diana and Peter were sitting at the usual table, surrounded by some of their close acquaintances, laughing and joking like any other day. As she walked over Peter jumped up immediately and ran over to her.
"Mia!" he yelled enthusiastically. "How'd it go?"
"It was interesting," Mia replied honestly. "But I don't really want to talk about it here. Let's take a walk, shall we?"
Diana, who had gotten up more calmly, replied, "Of course, lets go to my room, its closest."
The three waved good bye and walked to Diana's room. It was plain, like all the other dormitory rooms, and the walls were thin. To insure some privacy, Diana began to ward sound proof spells. When she finished, and the yellow wisps had faded into the walls, she turned to Mia and said simply, "Spill, Mia, what do you have to do?"
Mia, who had taken a seat on the floor beside Diana's bed, replied slowly, "I’m actually not sure guys. They want me to investigate this island….you know, that uninhabited one between us and the elven continent."
"What?" Peter asked incredulously. "But there's nothing on that island except animals and plants, if you can even call them that." He leaning on his right shoulder against the wall, facing Mia and Diana, who had sat down on her bed. "What could the council want with that island?"
"They only said that a dark power had been detected there, and then the whole island became closed to further divination attempts. I have been commanded to find the source of the dark power and cleanse the area. I was given the choice of two companions, and the council assigned me another, and told to be packed and dressed outside the castle gate at sunrise. Of course I chose you two, and the council chose, interestingly enough, Luke Hanon."
Diana butted in, "Really?" She raised her right eyebrow in question. "Hm, why would they send a teenager? Why not send an adult if the mission is dangerous enough to merit a team?"
"I don't know," Mia replied furrowing her own brow. "I wonder if this has anything to do with those legends surrounding the place."
"I thought those where just stories to keep kids away from dark powers." Peter replied. "Besides, there's no proof of any civilization ever being there; the place is a barren desert."
"We all know legends often have root in fact," Diana replied. "I'm going to go check up on the history of that island…and maybe see what I can dig up on our companion as well." Grabbing her clock, she waved good bye and slipped out the door saying, "See you in the morning."