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another part...

Peter and Mia watched her silently, quite used to her sudden exits to who knows where. When a crisis arose, Diana when to three places first, a teacher (usually her mentor), the library, and then the ancient texts, most of which having been destroyed long ago. Sometimes she listened to the school gossip as well, but that was more Mia's thing. As the daughter of the council leader, people seemed more willing to talk to her, so she was usually the interrogator of the group.
As Diana disappeared from view, Peter sighed quietly. "I guess we should prepare for tomorrow. We should all try to get some sleep. Even if those stories aren't true, I have a feeling we're going to be in for quite an adventure." Grabbing his things, he gave Mia a nod good bye and solemnly exited the room. Mia watched him leave, and started packing her things for the journey. When she was finished, it was dark, and she laid down with a restless mind.
The next day's sunrise saw Mia and her fiends outside the castle gate, dressed and packed for their journey. Each had a large pack with sleeping blankets, food, healing supplies, and rope. Mia's clothes were green and black(brown?): a black, resistant body suit under a green long sleeved halter top and a long green skirt with full slits down the sides. Peter wore enchanted chain mail and Diana wore a fortified blue and silver robe. The three were lying relaxed on the grass talking nonchalantly, waiting for their last companion.
"How do you think we'll get there?" Peter asked, leaning back on his hands.
"I assume magic," Mia replied, staring off into the distance. The relative ambiguity of her quest pushed her into an usually thoughtful state. "But if something on the continent is interfering with divination it may hamper travelling magic as well."
"If that's the case, we'll probably have to sail there," Diana concluded. She had spent the whole night searching the school library, and even the high minister's personal library for clues about the place and magics that would disrupt divinations- of the three Peter was probably the only one who had gotten a decent night's sleep the night before. "I doubt it will be a problem, though. Less than a quarter of the spells used to block or foil divinations affect anything else. Though I suppose the failed divination could just be a symptom of a larger problem, then,"
As Diana launched into a more technical explanation, a tall figure came out of the dark distance into Mia's view, carrying similar equipment to the three friends. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," a smooth, rich voice said. Diana, who had been sitting with her back towards the approaching figure, jumped up with a start at the voice and turned to face the newcomer, blushing heavily. The glow of the early morning revealed a tall, elven-looking man with spiky black hair, royal features and piercing blue eyes.
"Uh…hi Luke. I'm Diana," she murmured, her face falling rather quickly.
Mia cast a confused look at her friend and walked over to her third companion. "And I'm Mia…Nice to meet you Luke." She said warmly. The two grasped hands in greeting and their eyes locked. "And don't worry about it. The council hasn't arrived yet either."
Luke smiled politely, and Peter rushed over, clapping Luke on the shoulder. "Hey man! Glad to know there'll be another guy on this trip. Being alone with two girls may be some guys' dream, but they obviously haven't met these two."
Luke's smile widened and he replied, "I see I saved you from gruesome fate; the presence of too much estrogen is known to kill men." The two of them laughed heartily and shook hands.
No sooner had they released each other's hands than a chime sounded and four of the council appeared, though Mia noticed neither her grandfather nor the elder Katarn were among them. The eldest of the council, Aduin, stepped forward and began to speak, his voice loud and long-winded. "Mia Olin and her three companions," he says, surveying the four teens. "Today begins Mia's Quest. As its test her alone, none of you are commanded to follow her farther than you will." He pauses, again staring fixedly at the group. "Since the four of you seem ready, our travel to the island will begin." The four council members form a circle around the travelers and their gear. They chant slowly in deep voices and a faint yellow circle encompasses them and the teenagers. The yellow color grows stronger as the men chant faster, and almost as quickly as their surroundings vanish from view, the group of eight find themselves at a massive harbor, next to a huge frigate and a haggard yet happy looking man.
Mia tilted her head slightly and takes in her unexpected surroundings. Around her, both Diana and Peter seemed surprised as well, the former's eyes bulging slightly and the latter's jaw dropped quite obviously. Of the four, only Luke seemed unaffected by his new surroundings, staying completely focused on the elders in front of him.
As the elders finished their spell, Aduin again began to speak. "As you most undoubtedly have figured out, we are not able to take you directly to the island magically." Turning to face Mia, his face became grave, his already large wrinkles seeming to increase in size, and the tone of the other elders became somber. "Last night we were able to send a scout there magically, but since then we have had no contact with him, nor have we been able to send another to find him." He beckons their attention to the bronzed and brawny man beside him, who gives a small bow. "This is Captain Tyler Scanton, of the merchant ship the Ghost Queen, which will transport you to your destination." The four teens returned the bow, and the captain began to speak.