"Then I'll write one before we leave and carry it with me," she said.

"That makes things too complicated," remarked Cyric, "it's better if Athgar goes in alone. He's less likely to arouse suspicions."

"He can't read," admitted Natalia.

"What?" said Cyric in shock.

"It's true," confessed Athgar. "Back in Athelwald, there was scant reason to learn."

"I wish I'd known that sooner," said Cyric, "but we'll have to take it in stride. Very well, we'll go with your idea, Natalia."

Karslev

Autumn 1103 SR

Grand Mistress Marakhova Stormwind made her way to the tower, the casting circle within was just what she needed for the task she had in mind. The guards stood at attention as she approached, while a servant opened the door, revealing a circular room, perhaps twenty feet in diameter. In the centre, a circle built into the stone floor inlaid with gold and precious gems caught the light from the windows, causing it to glisten in the mid-day sun.

Standing in the middle was a man, his elaborate green robes trimmed with mystic runes. He bowed gracefully as Marakhova entered, but waited until the door was closed behind her before speaking.

"Grand Mistress," he said, "you honour me with your presence."

"It is you that honour me, Nezerov," she said. "You alone, of all the Sartellians, I can trust with this task. I'm told you've used the spell of recall to travel to Corassus before?"

"I have, Mistress, though I actually use a ring of fire," the man replied.

"Good," she continued, "for that is where I intend you to go."

"It is a long distance," he said, "and I will require rest upon my arrival."

"Understood, Nezerov," she said, "but you should have more than enough time to complete your task."

"And what task might that be, honoured one?"

"You are to seek a woman named Natalia Stormwind," she said. "She has fled the Volstrum and must be punished."

"I see," he said, "and have you any idea where she might be found? Or am I to search the city, block by block."

"Not to worry, Nezerov, we have reports of her whereabouts," said Marakhova.

"And when I find her?"

"It would always be preferable, I'm told, to have her returned to us, but I doubt she'll cooperate."

"And if she cannot be returned?"

"Then," continued Marakhova, "she is to be eliminated. We cannot have rogue members of the family travelling about unsupervised."

"Is this on the orders of the matriarch?" Nezerov asked.

"No, you are under my direct, personal orders," the grand mistress said in reply. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"Of course not," he said, "I merely wished to be clear in my duties. Am I to assume that no one else knows of my assignment?"

"Yes, only you and I are privy to that information, and I want you to keep it that way."