Chapter 5

More than a Dream

"I smelled magic, strong magic, it was leading up the road.”, Marinae’s usual confident and carefree demeanor was now giving way to suspicion and a little fear.

"Magic?”, responded Weamar, “That's a bit odd, but I doubt it's related to the wolves."

"They didn't appear magical, but there's something out there.", Marinae lowered her voice, “And I didn't ride my horse the whole way. I'm betting that that magic is responsible for us being here.”

The somber mood was broken as Jake called out to them from across the room. "I'll be going to set brother Lucius a place to sleep near Gillian. There are two open rooms just atop the stairs that you're welcome to. After that I'll be retiring. It's been a hell of a night."

"Thanks, good night.", Weamar nodded at Jake and went back to his discussion with Marinae.

"But as for the wolves,” Marinae continued, “what do you say we drag them somewhere safe and tie them up for the night?"

"I don't think they will be any problem. But if it'll help you rest easier."

"It will. All this talk of werewolves..."

"As for the magic, though interesting, it isn't my priority at the moment. Werewolves wandering the woods near my camp are.", Weamar paused, thought for a moment, and then changed his mind. “OK, let's tie them before the night gets any older."

"Magic is my department, such as it is.", Marinae stood up and tried to hide her limp on the way out.

Weamar followed, and went to horse for some rope. Cujia was on guard near the horses, and she relaxed when Weamar approached. The cooling remains of the wolves were right where they had left them. Without further ado they tied the wolf carcasses up.  It was messy business but they managed to get most of the remains out of the road. They both washed their hands and arms in a nearby rain barrel and headed back into the Inn.
 

A dream came upon Lynn. She was standing barefoot and wearing a gray silk nightgown amongst a grove of tall, evenly spaced trees. The artificial forest seemed to stretch off forever in every direction. The whole scene was illuminated in an eerie glow from the reddish sky above. In one direction she heard the sound of a boy's choir. The music was faint but its strains touched her heart. Lynn walked towards it, attracted by its beauty.

A cool wind was blowing through the trees, and sent a shiver across Lynn’s skin. Clouds began to collect on the horizon in the direction of the music. Lynn wrapped her arms around her to keep warm. She saw the clouds growing darker, a storm was coming, but she walked towards them and the choir anyway. The angelic voices grew stronger with each step and slowly in the distance she saw the spires of a huge cathedral. They stretched up so high, attempting to touch the odd colored sky. Lynn felt a spark of hope, and she walked a little faster towards the great cathedral.

The structure was magnificent. The closer that Lynn got to it, the more impressive that it became. A set of massive double doors sealed the front. Lynn paused and marveled at the sight. Then she walked up to the doors. Carved into the dark wood was the image of a large kite shield and a long sword overlaid with a sprig of belladonna. Lynn knocked on the dark wooden doors. Her knocks echoed loudly across the grove. The clouds had grown darker, the wind stronger. After a moment the doors opened with an ease uncharacteristic of their great size. Lynn entered.

The interior of the cathedral was just as awe inspiring as the exterior. Vaulted ceilings reached up incredibly high and stained glass windows lined either side of the main hall. The soothing music continued, though Lynn couldn’t tell where it was coming from. Lynn walked through the majestic cathedral turning round and round and staring up at the towering marvels. At the end of the hall was a statue. It was a twice scale likeness of a woman of great beauty. A shield and sword lay at her feet, a sprig of belladonna in her flowing hair. The carving was so lifelike that at first Lynn could not be sure that it was indeed a figure of stone and not of flesh.

"Ezra.", Lynn thought to herself.

Then the eyes of the statue opened and regarded her with a blend of love and sadness. Lynn was startled at first, but then remembered that this was just a dream.

"Ezra", she says, aloud this time.

Ezra’s voice was like music itself, blending with the ethereal chorus. "You have traveled far, my daughter."

Lynn nods and sighs.

"The road ahead is longer still. Do have the strength?"

"Yes. I'm hurt, but it will heal."

"The body mends swiftly, the soul less so."

Lynn lowered her head, remembering why she didn't like going into churches. Feelings of shame and guilt began to grow within her.

“My soul will never heal.”, she thought to herself.

"Do not heed the demon, mortal or immortal, who would turn you from your course"

Tears began to form in Lynn's eyes and ran down her cheeks. It was an easy thing to say. It was another thing to do. And memories of her failures were flashing through her mind. The statue’s face softened and lifted a hand. Lynn felt a gentle, invisible, touch wipe away the tears as they fell. But although the statue could wipe away her tears, it couldn’t wipe away her shame. Lynn felt the bad feelings growing within. She fought them.

"You need not walk your road alone. There are others who might lend you their strength and yours to them."

Lynn raised her head, “Who?”

"Son of the Forest. Daughter of Fae. Others will come. Not all will survive the coming storm."

A crash of thunder shook the cathedral.

The statue continued, "The man in between is waiting for you. Time is against him."

The rain fell hard outside, the flashes of lightning cast shifting shadows upon the floor.

Lynn racked her brain. “What did the statue mean?”, she wondered. She wasn't very good at riddles.

"I thank you for your help, Ezra.", she said bowing again.

Deep down Lynn wondered if she would survive the storm.

The statue's eyes snapped up and looked behind Lynn. An impossibly black shadow slid across the floor all around Lynn and the statue. Two great wings stretched out to either side.

The music stopped, and the storm seemed to pause as well as Lynn turned to look at the intruder. She feared the worst but looked anyway. As she turned she came face to face with a vision of horror. Shining red eyes locked with hers and filled her with dread. Lynn was frozen in place, staring into those terrifying eyes. She was helpless before it, and all that she could do was tremble as the thing released a howl which dwarfed the storm in ferocity.

With a start Lynn awakened, a cold sweat covering her brow. She was breathing quickly and heavily. Then she put her hands over her eyes.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid.", she muttered to herself.

She tried to get the image of those burning eyes out of her mind but they wouldn’t fade. She knew that she would never forget them. Even though they were only from a dream, they seemed more than real. She hoped that she would never see them again. Hours passed as Lynn lay silently in darkness. Slowly the vision of the demon's eyes went away, finally fading as the dawn broke.
 

Morning came and the sun's light shined through the windows of Lynn’s room. The sounds of life were rising up from downstairs, but the bad feelings had started again. She could feel that it wasn’t going to be a good day. Slowly she rose and got dressed. She could smell the pleasant odor of fresh bread and bacon, but it didn't make her very hungry. She pulled the hood of her cloak down over her face and went downstairs to get something to eat.

Jake greeted her warmly, "Lucius said you got the worst of it last night. Hope this'll make you feel better."

He slid a plate of bacon, bread and an egg on the table before her.

"Thank you.", Lynn whispered, still afraid to test her voice.

Lynn picked at her food, eating about a half of the meal. Thoughts of her singing voice being ruined filled her head.

"I wonder where William is this morning.”, she overheard Jake saying to one of the barmaids. “He's usually here well before now."

Weamar wandered down a few minutes later. Jake greeted him with a smile, and made small talk. Soon after, brother Lucius joined them.

“How is Gillian?”, Weamar asked.

"Gillian is doing well.”, answered Lucius, “Though I don't want her out of bed on her own we should be able to move her today without much trouble."

Lucius sat down across from Lynn. "And how are you this morning?"

"Better.", Lynn whispered reluctantly.

"Good. Be sure to come and see me to have those bandages changed or have your woodsman friend do it. Don't want that bite to go septic."

"I will."
 

Marinae woke up and remembered where she was. “My first day of exile. I wonder if the rest of them will be like that.”

She stripped her bandage and wrapped a new one on her leg. Then she sighed and went downstairs. She ordered some breakfast and went outside to check on the wolves. She breathed a sigh of relief as she saw that they were still where she and Weamar had left them. She went back in sat down to eat.

After eating a hearty breakfast, Marinae went out to the stable to check on her horse. Looking out onto the street from the stable she saw Lucius very excitedly leading two horses. One rider was on each horse, and both were rather young. One was male and one was female. The woman was pretty, with long raven hair and fair skin. She wore a white robe. The young man was grim and well muscled. He was clad in a well cared for breastplate and leather armor.

As they entered the stable, Lucius proclaimed aloud. "This is truly a glorious morning! Please go and get Lynn and meet us in Gillian's room."

"Yes, it is." Marinae answered. Today was going a lot better than yesterday.

The man remained stone faced. The woman smiled sweetly.

 “Hurry now, girl!" Lucius said, shooing Marinae along.

Marinae turned away and frowned. This was not how she wanted to be treated. She took a tender step towards the Inn.

"Wait.", the woman on the horse called out.

She put a hand on Lucius' arm. "She is injured brother. She shouldn't be moving about quickly."

She turned to Marinae, "Please sit down.", and gestured to a bail of hay.

Marinae hesitated, bridling at being ordered around, then carefully sat.

The woman dismounted and knelt next to Marinae, "My name is Eliza."

"I'm Marinae."

Eliza smiled and grasped a medallion hanging from her neck, a silver long sword over an alabaster shield, the other hand she placed upon Marinae’s wounded thigh.

The young man scowled as he dismounted. He crossed his arms across his chest. Marinae ignored him. She knew all about scowling, arrogant men. After a brief shock of pain from Eliza’s touch a soothing sensation flowed from her hand. Eliza's eyes were closed, her lips were moving though she could hear no words. A faint light glowed from between her fingers.

"Oww!", cried Marinae at the first shock of pain, then she let out a sigh of relief.

Eliza removed her hand and released the amulet. She seemed drained. She smiled weakly and stood up. Marinae stared down at her leg. The pain was completely gone. She began to feel a little guilty.

"Thank you, My Lady.", Marinae said with a flourish.

Eliza bowed her head, her long hair falling forward as she did so, "It is my honor and my duty. May Our Guardian in the Mists guide you well."

Eliza’s smile faded and a look of concern came over her, "Lucius tells us that there was another injured in the attack?"

"Yes. She is inside the Inn. I will take you to her.", Marinae watched Eliza stumbling a little as she moved to follow her. A concerned look came over Marinae as well.

"Shouldn't you rest? I would think that using such Power would be very draining."

"I will endure. Please show the way."

Marinae did.

As they entered the bar Jake burst open with joy. "Eliza! I thought you had gone to Levkarest with the others!"

Eliza smiled and answered, "I was visiting with my cousin on his farm when the order arrived. They sent Petrov here to escort me."

"Well you’re just in time, I'm sure Lucius has told you. We've had quite an adventure here. Praise Ezra."

"I'm sure you can tell me all about it later. I understand there are those here who require our assistance."

Eliza turned to Marinae and nodded onward. Marinae guided Eliza to Lynn's room and knocked on the door.

After gathering supplies as the local general store, Weamar walked into the taproom just in time to get a good look at the newcomers before they disappeared up the stairs. He was shocked to see that the raven-haired girl looked exactly like the one from his dream. He filed the knowledge away and took a seat at the bar.

The door to Lynn’s room opened and a hooded figure peered out.

"Sorry to bother you,”, said Marinae apologetically, “but I think you'll be interested in meeting someone. Her name is Eliza. She healed my leg just now."

Lynn lifted her head just enough to see out of the robe. Eliza stepped forward and smiled at Lynn, nodding her head in greeting. Like Weamar, Lynn found herself in shock. The woman bore an uncanny resemblance to the statue of Ezra from her dream.

"Ezra.", Lynn said, as if by reflex.

Marinae raised an eyebrow. "I'm hearing that name a lot, lately.", she said to no one in particular.

Eliza blushed and stammered out. "We, Petrov and I are Anchorites, yes. Followers and servants of the Lady Ezra."

Petrov scowled.

"Come in.", Lynn whispered and turned away.

"Do you know of her teachings?", Eliza asked.

"I know a little."

Petrov glared at Marinae and followed Eliza into the room. Marinae matched Petrov’s glare with one of her own.

"Perhaps we can talk some time about it?", Eliza queried.

"Yes."

"The Faith of the Lady is wide spread.", Eliza continued, "Only the most distant of lands has not been blessed with her word. And that will change in time."

Lynn turned back towards Eliza. In the light of the room Eliza could see the blood stains on Lynn’s robe around her neck. Concern clouded her face.

"How bad are you hurt?” She asked and motioned to the bed. “Please sit."

Lynn took a seat on the bed. She pulled back the robe and hood, but looked away from her visitors. Eliza sat next to her and began unwrapping the wound.

"Lucius, you didn't mention that it was this bad."

Marinae excused herself and headed back downstairs. Lucius remained silent as Eliza set the bloody cloth aside. She grasped the symbol around her neck and placed a hand on Lynn’s throat.

Lynn was surprised but she didn't resist. Her awful feelings begin to grow. She turned and looked at Eliza’s lips. They were soft and pale, like her skin. Lynn felt a desire to kiss those lips, and feel them on her shoulders and neck. She fought it. Eliza began murmuring under her breath and a soothing feeling extended from her hand. The feeling was something that she had felt before, in her dream, when Ezra's statue had looked at her. Lynn relaxed as Eliza’s touch made the pain go away. A faint light glowed from between Eliza’s fingers as the wounds closed and sealed.

A pained expression crossed Eliza’s face and she removed her hand. "I, I was not able to heal it completely. But it should be enough."

"Thank you.", Lynn whispered.

Eliza attempted to stand but she faltered. Lynn did nothing but watch her. She was scared to reach out and help her. She wanted to, but the awful feelings inside of her were trying to get out. It was all that she could do to hold them back. To touch Eliza, to embrace her, to feel her soft skin. Lynn’s desires were growing and she didn’t know if she could stay in control if she indulged them, even a little.

Petrov moved forward swiftly. "Eliza."

Eliza leaned on her armored friend, looking very tired. "I have one more person in need. If you will excuse me."

"Gillian.", said Lynn, "Please help her."

Petrov interjected, "Perhaps you should rest first. Channeling so much so quickly, it can be dangerous for you."

"No, Petrov. I will rest when my work is done. Not before.", Eliza was determined to complete her mission.

Petrov grudgingly helped her out of the room, Lucius following after them.

Lynn closed the door behind them. She looked at her wound in the mirror. It was all but gone, almost as if it never had been. "Maybe this won't be a bad day after all", she thought to herself.

Weamar made his way up the stairs and saw the three leaving Lynn's room. The woman from his dreams was leaning heavily on her young friend for support. They went to Gillian's room. Weamar followed behind.

"Unexpected help?", Weamar asked Lucius.

Lucius was startled a bit, but answered, "Yes! Anchorites. Eliza has healed your friends and now she will heal Gillian. Thank Ezra."

Petrov gently sat Eliza down on the bed beside the ailing girl but stayed close. Eliza placed her hand upon the young woman’s wound and grasped the symbol of her goddess.

"That's excellent news", Weamar whispered to Lucius.

When the light faded, Gillian opened her eyes and took the anchorite's hand. "Eliza.", she said.

Eliza patted the maid's hand, "You still need rest. I wasn't able to completely restore you. Petrov." She held out a hand to him.

Petrov helped her to stand and she noticed Weamar standing near the door. "Oh, hello." She smiles weakly.

"Hello, and thank you.", he replied.

Eliza seemed confused for a moment. Then she asked, "They are your friends?"

"No, I have only known them briefly, but the wolves that injured them were here after chasing me. I feel responsible"

"Ah. I'm Eliza Duval, by the way, and this is Petrov Nichola.”, Eliza said politely.

"Very pleased to meet you, I am Weamar, of”, Eliza interrupted him.

“Wolves? There aren't any wolves in this region of Borca."

Lucius spoke softly. "The Mists brought him. From Verbrek."

Petrov and Eliza looked at one another and then back at Weamar. Eliza broke the short silence. "If Sentire Marius were here he would be able to interpret this."

"If the Sentire were here would he also be able to interpret a dream?”, Weamar asked, “For you I have seen before, Eliza Duval"

"Yes, the Sentire is wise, he may be able to divine a meaning from your dreams.” Eliza looked at Weamar curiously, “You saw me in a dream?"

"Yes, early last night, then I was roused from my campsite by the wolves," this time Petrov interrupted him.

"You need to rest. I must insist.", Petrov said to Eliza earnestly.

"Of course. My dreams can wait.", Weamar said apologetically.

Lucius spoke up, "I'm sure Jake won't mind us using another of his rooms."

Petrov nodded and helped Eliza into an adjacent room, laying her on the bed.

"I won't be far, just down stairs.", Petrov assured her.

Eliza smiled and said "I'll be alright, I'm just a little tired."

Petrov exited the room and closed the door. He turned to Weamar, "If your dreams truly do hold some meaning, the Sentire can interpret it but he is currently in the capital as Eliza and I will be soon. The stay there will be indefinite, until whatever matter instigated this summons is resolved."

Petrov and Weamar headed down stairs while Lucius went back to check on Gillian.

"Petrov! How are you?", Jake greeted the grim faced man warmly.

"I am well sir, thank you.”, Petrov with far too much formality, “Tea please."

"A tea for me too, please", said Weamar and turned back to Petrov, "I need to return to Verbrek soon, but the dream disturbs me, now that I have met Eliza."
 

About half an hour after her guests had left, there was another knock on Lynn’s door. She opened it. On the other side was Eliza, looking very tired.

"May I come in?", she asked.

Lynn nodded and stepped back.

"I'm not disturbing you am I? I couldn't sleep and I wanted to check on your injury."

"It's alright.", Lynn said quietly. She pulled back her hood and revealed her bandage.

Eliza pressed on the bandage lightly. "Does it hurt?"

"A little.", she whispered.

Eliza moved further into the room, "When you opened the door the first time, you said 'Ezra.' Why?"

Lynn sat down on the bed and motioned Eliza over beside her. "I had a dream where I spoke to a statue of Ezra. She looked like you."

Eliza sat next to Lynn on the bed, "The Lady spoke with you? What did she... oh I'm sorry I shouldn't ask that. It's just unusual for a non-anchorite to receive such visions."

"It was just a dream.", Lynn tried to down play what happened.

"Dreams hold meaning.”, Eliza corrected her. “There is a kind of magic in them. You shouldn't ignore them. My dreams led me to join the church."
 

Petrov sipped his tea in silence.

"I've never had to fight with, magic, before.", Marinae admitted to Weamar.

Petrov looked Marinae up and down, a disapproving look on his face.

Marinae looked back at Petrov, "What was that for? Afraid I'll turn you into a newt?"

Petrov hesitated a moment as though considering his words, "Sorcery is frowned upon where I come from, as are half-breeds."

"I hardly had a choice in being a Sorceress or a half-breed.”, Marinae fired back. “Did you choose who you were going to be?”

Weamar tried to cool the flaring tempers, "With so little experience, you were either very brave, or very foolish to stand your ground against them"

"I tend to think I was foolish, myself, but I've always been headstrong."

Petrov went back to drinking his tea.

"Headstrong?”, Weamar gave Marinae an innocent look. “Can't say that I've noticed."
 
"It gets me into trouble. Watch."

Marinae did the trick of pulling a coin from Petrov's ear. Petrov shoved himself away from the table and stood up.

"I tend to antagonize people. See?", Marinae smiled innocently at Petrov.

In a huff Petrov walked out of the Inn.

"I'm such a bitch at times."

"Yes, I see what you mean.”, grinned Weamar.

Marinae paid for Petrov’s tea with the coin from his ear.
 

Lynn remembered the ending of her dream and the horrible creature that she had seen. She didn't want to believe that it was real in any way. Yet, she was starting to have doubts. She started to describe her dream to Eliza.

"Ezra said that you and your friend would help along the way."

"Hmm. There's a man downstairs. Weamar. He said that he saw me in a dream too."

Lynn smiled. "Fate has brought us all together."

Eliza beamed, "Do you think so?"

"I do."

Eliza raised her head, "All my life I've waited for the time when the Lady would call me to a great task. Maybe this is it. How did you get here? And the fae-born lady? Lucius said Weamar came from the Mists.”

"I'm just a traveler. I followed the roads.", Lynn remembered the dream, and the warning Ezra gave her. She wondered if Eliza was the one who wouldn't survive the storm. It gave her a bad feeling inside. She shook it off.

"Where are you from?”, Eliza asked.

"Paridon.", Lynn mused, "That was long ago."

Eliza thought for a moment, "I've never heard of it. It must be very far away."

"Where are you from?", Lynn asked.

"Lechburg, it's another city here in Borca. After I went to the Great Cathedral in Levkarest and dedicated myself to Our Guardian in the Mists I was sent to the schools in Pont-a-Museau. Then I came here to Sturben."

Lynn smiled, but she never looked Eliza in the eye. Eliza found it strange that Lynn always looked away from her, but didn’t think much of it. Lynn was a nice person, she was just a little shy, that was all.

"I want to see the Great Cathedral some day.", Lynn said wondering if it was like the one in her dream.

Eliza brightened considerably. "Oh, it's beautiful! It has the tallest spires I've ever seen! And stained glass and murals and sculptures and gargoyles. The finest gardens in Borca are on the grounds, well short of those kept by Lady Boritsi."

Lynn grew uncomfortable hearing Eliza's description of the Cathedral. The dream was seeming more and more real, and that meant that the awful thing that she saw at the end might be real too.

"Would you like to come with Petrov and I to Levkarest? And the others too. Sentire Marius can help with Weamar's dream and I'm sure he could help you too, if you wanted."

"I'd like that.", Lynn said warmly.

"Great! Well, I should go before Petrov comes looking and doesn't find me in my room. He'll pitch a fit and start yelling. He's really a sweet boy but he doesn't always think things through."

"You need your rest.", then Lynn got a little excited, "Then in the evening you can hear me sing."

Eliza stood up and smiled, "You can sing? That would be wonderful! It's a full days ride to Levkarest, Petrov won't want to leave until tomorrow."

Then Lynn remembered her throat. She put her hand to it, "Well, I'll try at least. I love to sing."

Eliza went to the door and smiled at Lynn, "Bye, then. Til tonight."

"Goodbye.", Lynn replied and closed the door behind her.

Lynn looked at her bandage in the mirror again, "Maybe it will be alright."
 

"You're planning on staying here?", Weamar asked Marinae.

"I don't have anywhere I need to be.”, she answered. “I didn't think I'd be going this far so quickly, though."

"Whereas I feel the need to return home.”, Weamar mused, “But it seems the fates have other plans at present."

Both Marinae and Weamar turned as Petrov came running back into the Inn in quite a hurry. "William is gone. His home has been ransacked."

"Quite the busy little town is Sturben", Weamar muttered under his breath.

Marinae chuckled silently, then asked, "William? Who is that?"

"William Markson.”, answered Jake,  “He's something of the town story teller. He's a fixture here."

Petrov shouted out to Jake, "Shall I summon the constable?”

Jake responded with a snort, "That fat ass wouldn't lift a finger, he hates William."

"Well, I wanted adventure, I've found adventure.”, Marinae turned to Weamar, “Shall we go look?"

 “May as well, I suppose.", Weamar answered.

"More fun that picking on our friend, here, isn't it?", Marinae winked at him.

Marinae patted Petrov on the shoulder, "You're coming, too. We might need help."

Petrov shrugged off Marinae's hand and headed out. Jake snickered and followed.

"Touchy, isn't he?", Marinae grinned.

"Well, he’s had a busy morning.", Weamar smiled back.

Quickly they hurried through the small town. Petrov came to stop before one of the homes on the main road. Its door was open just a crack.

"It was unlocked and opened like this when I came here.", Petrov said.

"I suppose you're right.", Marinae replied, teasing him with a suspicious look.

Then Marinae recognized the house as the one the magical trail had led to from the inn, "This is it!", she exclaimed.

Petrov raised an eyebrow.

"Remember I told you I smelled strong magic last night? It pointed here!"

Weamar searched around for tracks in the dirt but the ground was too solid for him to tell for certain.

Before entering the house Marinae cast a spell. She felt the energy flow through her hands and her voice creating an invisible field of force before her. Petrov did not approve.

"I've got a shield up, now, if you want me to go inside first.”

When they got inside there were signs of a struggle. A table was overturned, dishes and furniture lay about broken. The shelves had been cleared and rummaged through. Weamar skirted the mess as much as possible, and looked for signs of footprints to get an idea of number of people involved. He discerned two sets of foot prints. Two men of roughly equal size and of medium weight. It looked as though the two men had fought briefly.

Light from the door and windows provided plenty of illumination. The scene wouldn't have been at all disturbing if it hadn’t been for the silver dagger laying in the middle of the room. Its blade was covered in mostly dried blood. Weamar picked up the dagger and examined the blood on it. Then he showed it to Petrov.

“Do you know if William had a dagger like this?”, Weamar asked him.

Jake interjected, “Yes, that's his. He said he got it from the tomb of some great king. Who knows if you can believe him. Looks like plain old silver to me."

"Did he usually have it with him? Or was it a display item?", Weamar asked.

Jake pointed at a mount above the hearth. " He kept it there."

Marinae cast another spell and looked around the room. It was coated in magical residue of several different kinds. The brightest auras were coming from the blood on the knife and an otherwise uninteresting spot in the corner. The aura in the corner was consistent with spells of spatial manipulation, plane shifting, gates and teleportation. The aura coming from the blood, she was unable to identify. The rest of the room was too muddled to get a clear picture.

"There's magic in the blood on the dagger, and over there.", Marinae pointed to the spot in the corner, "I can't identify the magic on the knife."

"Maybe someone gated in.” Marinae added, “The aura in the corner feels like that sort of magic.”

"Look at this.", Jake said pointing to the hearth.

Where Jake was pointing there was a locket with its chain broken. And in the hearth there were the charred remains of a book. Many of the pages had been torn out and cast into the fire separately but a part of one was spared from the destruction. The fragment of paper lay on the edge of the hearth.

"Have you seen that locket before?", Weamar asked Jake.

"No", He picked it up and opened it. "But I know who's inside, Serena. She was part of a group that William used to travel with."

Marinae looked at the locket. It glowed with magic too but seemed to be residual from an external source.

"She died some time ago.", Jake continued.

"A good friend of William's?", Weamar asked.

"Yes, I think he wanted to be close to her though she never returned that feeling. She was always hanging about with Ethan."

"So it's quite possible that this was William's.", Weamar concluded. Jake nodded.

Weamar picked up the paper fragment from the hearth and glanced at it. It was written in Mordentish. Weamar couldn’t make sense of it. he handed the paper to Marinae, "This make sense to you?", he asked.

"No magic on it.”, she said immediately, then she read it aloud "...to Levkarest tomorrow. I need to visit Serena's grave, it's been too long since I've done that. Maybe I'll run into Ase and Ethan if they're still living there. Why, without me, there's no telling what kind of trouble those t..."

That was all that it said. It appeared as if the writer had just stopped writing.

Jake frowned, "Ase would be Aselid. He's a wizard. Last I knew he owned an alchemist's shop in Levkarest.”

Petrov spoke up, "You’re certain the constable won't do anything?"

Jake snorted, "All he'll do is declare William dead and collect all his things. He'll keep what he wants and sell what he doesn't."

"What a nice man.", Marinae said, heavy on the sarcasm.

Petrov looked at the locket, "Well it looks like this little mystery leads to Levkarest. If we can find Aselid or Ethan they may be able to shed some light."

"Levkarest? I'm not familiar with the place.", Marinae asked.

"Levkarest is the capital city of Borca and birthplace of the Faith of Ezra, Our Guardian in the Mists.", Petrov said with a mixture of pride and snobbishness.

"And also where your Sentire is at present?", Weamar added.

Petrov nodded.

Weamar turned to Jake, "Since you seem reasonably familiar with how William kept his house, can you see anything that is obviously missing?"

Jake sighed and looked around, "There was a small stone he kept up here." He reached up on a shelf but found nothing. “It was about the size of a silver piece. Worthless piece of blue glass really, but William wouldn't part with it. He never would say why."

“Obviously he thought it important to have it out of view up there", Weamar pondered, "I suppose it may have been the reason the house has been turned upside down."

Jake scratched his chin and nodded. “But where is William and whoever came here?” Then he turned towards Weamar, “And who's blood is that on the dagger?"