Taking a sip, staring at the mystery plate and the symbols around it. Shaking her head, wishing the empress could just tell her what to do. The first thing to figure out, the symbol's origin; that was a starting point. Another swig of the brew, she got up and began going through the extensive collection of books Ralvania kept in the room. A few minutes later she found a good sized stack of books to start with over coffee. 

            With everything going on, she knew sleep wasn't happening anytime soon. Having a task, something to focus on would help with the obsessive worrying. It gave her a speck of hope, something she needed now more than ever. If she found out who was behind the plate, or an idea of what kind of creature was behind it, would help immensley. Going through the entire first book with two cups of the brew in deep concentration, she sighed.

             What symbols she found didn't look anything like the ones on the small dish that seemed to stare back at her, almost mocking her efforts.  Pouring another cup, she started on the next book, then another but found nothing.  Frustrated, she took a ten minute break to grab her own spellbook. Before darting back to the office, she wrote out all the details of the empress and the current situation, hoping writing it down would help her think. 

She went back to the office and put the stack of books back and looked though until she found more to go through. Sitting back down at the desk, cracking open one book and sifting through it. Then another book, and another. Still finding nothing of use, the sorceress was discouraged but kept going, the worrying and too much pixie brew had given her a little insomnia for the time being. 

              After going through another stack of books, looking around until she'd found a few candles and ignited them with magic. Unsure that meditating would help, but to save the empress from gods knows what, she'd try just about anything. She started by closing her eyes and letting out a breath. Shutting off her thoughts to everything else, she began to concentrate. If nothing else she hoped the spirits would point her in the right direction. 

                 An hour later checking the time, seeing it was after five a.m forced herself to the bed chamber for at least an hour or two. She extinguished the candles, and dragged herself up the stairs and down the hall. Doubting there would be any sleep involved, but she had to try.