His examination was disrupted by the arrival of a well-dressed man who looked to be in his fifties, with carefully trimmed hair and sideburns, but otherwise devoid of facial hair.

"You are Lord Kolyak Stormwind?" the mage hunter asked.

"I am," the man replied, "though I fear you have me at a disadvantage. I'm told your name is Stanislav Voronsky, but I'm afraid I'm not familiar with you. Should I be?"

"I don't believe our paths have ever crossed," the mage hunter replied, "but I do work for the Volstrum, on occasion."

Stanislav recognized a flicker of irritation on the lord's face but made no remark.

"I'm a very busy man," declared Lord Kolyak. "What is the purpose of your visit?"

"I'm looking for someone," he replied cryptically, "and was told you might have some information."

"Who is it you're looking for?"

"A young lady by the name of Katrin Stormwind." Again, Stanislav saw the barest flicker of emotion on the man's face.

The lord cleared his throat. "There is no one here by that name," he stated.

"You were married to Helene Sartellian, were you not?"

"We were bonded, that is true, though it wasn't what you would call a marriage."

"Pardon me, but the hall of records registered the birth of a girl named Katrin. Both of you were named the parents."

"And so we were," he said, "but Helene died years ago."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," said Stanislav. "Might I ask how?"

"She was consumed," replied Lord Kolyak, "by fire."

"I take it she was a Fire Mage?"

"Of course, she would scarcely have the name Sartellian otherwise."

"And what of your daughter?"

"There is nothing to tell," he replied. "She was sent to the Volstrum and failed. She is of no further interest to me."

"I beg your pardon?" Stanislav burst out. "Do you mean to say you disowned her?"

"I wouldn't expect you to understand," the lord continued, "you are obviously not of our line."

"Have you no word of her at all?"

"No, I have heard nothing other than her failure, and I shall hear of nothing else. Is there any other subject on which you would care to speak?"

"I don't think there's anything else to say," said Stanislav, extending his hand. "Thank you for the assistance, I will show myself out."

A servant rushed forward to open the door, and the mage hunter stepped through, eventually making his way to the front door.

"I told you so," said the servant, a smug look on his face.

Stanislav ignored the man's comment, following him out and back down to the path to the street. There, he waited while the gate was opened, allowing him to leave. He turned as the door was shut behind him. "You know," Stanislav said, "you should be careful how you treat people, it might come back to haunt you one day."