Of all the people Hamond had thought it could have been, Lady Edeline Hallowscroft had to be near the very bottom of the list.

He knew of her, of course. With her being the younger of Lord Hallowscroft's two children, how could he not? This held especially true given the rumors that spread about her, and how she was actually running the town while her father was either secretly ill or actually dead. Hamond doubted that was the case, although it was clear that lately Lord Hallowscroft had become very reclusive.

What was definitely true, Hamond thought to himself as he walked down the street, was that someone was plotting against her. Hopefully she would be able to get it resolved. Being a member of the town watch was already a thankless job, based on what Alexios had told him, and people going around disguised as such to cover their own tracks would only make matters worse. It did no one any good to let this stand.

However, fixing that mess was not his job, being a healer was. It was why he had decided not to press the lady about the matter of her magic. He'd probably already pushed the matter a little too far with his questioning of her. Better that he step back from the whole affair, and leave it entirely to her.

The streets in the northeastern part of of town were a bit more run down, but bustling with traffic. A handful of traders had set up stalls along the roadside, hawking various items. Others hustled past, busy with various tasks. A pair of children ran past Hamond, giggling with excitement over whatever imaginative game they had thought up. Down the path, he could see a man inspecting the wheel of a stopped handcart.

Most of these people were Elefae, marked by their pointed ears.

Hamond continued onward, turning a corner onto another, more narrower, street. Morgivel's age did not allow him to get around very well, so barring emergencies or events he mostly stayed home. He had to be over two hexty years old, and it was a bit surprising that he still continued to work. For whatever reason, Morgivel had a deep stubborn streak, it seemed.

Coming up to the door, Hamond politely knocked. There was always the possibility Morgivel was having an afternoon nap, and he didn't want to disturb the elderly healer. He could always come back in a day or two.

“Coming, coming, coming,” a raspy voice said from inside.

A moment later, the door slowly open, revealing Morgivel. Holding his cane in one hand and the door handle with another, Morgivel had always struck Hamond as being one wrong step from falling over. He was frail, a hunched and wrinkled Elefae with thin gray hair. Despite that, his gaze was sharp and pointed, showing he still possessed his wits.

“Hamond, is it? A warm welcome to you and your kin.” Morgivel slowly moved out of the way, letting him enter the small but cozy room. Morgivel's house was smaller than his, and did not have the extra sickroom, but felt warmer, with beautifully carved chairs around a round table. Hamond wished he knew which carpenter had made those, so he could replace his own furniture.

“A pleasure to see you,” Hamond said politely.

“Yes, I'm sure it is. But I am also sure pleasantries are not what brought you to my home today.”

“Is something wrong?” While Morgivel could be temperamental, his manner seemed...actually angry.

Morgivel let out a sigh, lowering himself into a chair. “Nothing you need to worry about. Some of the other elders are just complete fools, and I have little choice but to tolerate their...errors.”

Curious, but Hamond was not about to press this issue either. “Anyway, I heard there was a First Ascension ceremony soon, and thought I could be of help.”

“And I suppose it was Kalvarel who conveniently told you about this, did he?” Morgivel barked out a laugh. “Too clever by half, he thinks he is, given he's now set to marry one of my granddaughters.”

Hamond wanted to punch himself. Of course Kalvarel had a self-serving motive for the request. He was beginning to regret telling them that he had helped out with the First Ascension before. Too late to do anything about it now.

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“Regardless of his wants, I'm admittedly not the healer I used to be,” Morgivel continued, “So if you're available tomorrow evening, then I will gladly accept any aid you offer.”

“Tomorrow?” Hamond had to admit, that was far sooner than he had expected. He was in luck that he didn't have anything else planned for now. He'd just have to hope no one visited while he was away.

“Better the task be done with now, before any more serious illnesses or ailments emerge, right?” The elderly healer smiled slightly. “I'm sure you understand this well, child of the north.”

“I'm no child of the north,” Hamond stated. Couldn't he go a day without someone bringing up his Remuati blood?

“It seems rather pointless, to deny part of who you are,” Morgivel said with a slight shrug. “But very well, let us move on. Will you be available for the ceremony?”

While annoyed, Hamond knew it would be pointless to be petty here. “I'll be there.”

“Excellent,” Morgivel said, “Oh, and do not worry yourself about the myrrh leaves this time. I have a cabinet full.” He made a gesture towards the wall behind him.

“Last time you were out,” Hamond pointed out. He had needed to sprint back to his house to get some, delaying the ceremony.

“That was then, but I have since prepared better.” Morgivel pulled himself to his feet. “Believe your eyes if you do not believe my words.” He turned and opened a cabinet, revealing a small pile of dried leaves. A couple of them, pulled by the sudden opening, floated out and down to the floor.

“Not sure those are fresh as I'd like, but they'll do,” Hamond said. An understatement, actually, as probably half or more of them were too dry to be used for anything. He'd have to bring some of his own, just like before.

“Oh, curses.” Morgivel returned to his seat, looking a little defeated. “Maybe I should have left it to you, then.”

“Only if you pay for it,” Hamond reminded him, “Regarding payment, it's the same as last time.”

“How very mercenary of you,” Morgivel grumbled, “And I suppose you want me to convince the other elders to part with that coin.”

That dispute with the other Elefae elders, again. “Why are you feuding with them, anyway?”

“It's not your concern.” Morgivel drew up, clearly trying to look as stern and imposing as possible. Given that Hamond had not taken a seat and was looking down on him, it was less than effective.

“If they aren't going to pay me for helping you, then it is,” Hamond stated, “Or would you rather I leave now?”

He stood there, staring hard at Morgivel, letting the threat silently stand. Finally, Morgivel blinked first. “Fine, fine, fine. Not that I think you can do anything about it, since they'd never accept your help.”

“Go on.”

“A handful of our girls have gone missing over the past few months. I told the other elders we needed to have someone look into it, investigate, but in their limitless wisdom they decided there was nothing they could do.”

“Elefae girls?” Hamond frowned, considering this. People vanishing was troubling, definitely, but not normally something that should be handled privately. “Did anyone speak with the town watch?”

“Yes, and they were no help,” Morgivel spat, “Some dribble from one of their captains about needing men elsewhere for something more important. Pure nonsense excuse!”

“Perhaps,” Hamond said diplomatically, mind racing. Some people did bear hatred against the Elefae, but it was not many, and they supposedly had the full support of Lord Hallowscroft.

Wait a moment. Hamond held back a smile as the solution came to him.

“As it turns out, I do know someone who could assist you with this problem. If you want, I can speak with them, maybe arrange a meeting after the ceremony.”

“You expect me to believe that?” Morgivel asked disbelievingly.

“My healing work has gotten me in touch with certain people in high places,” Hamond said evasively. He didn't want to reveal too much of his plan, just in case he couldn't get her to agree to help.

“I'd think those people would have more important things to deal with,” Morgivel grumbled.

“Like what?” Hamond asked.

“The abduction of Lady Hallowscroft? Have you not heard?”

“I was...busy,” Hamond hastily said. He supposed that gossip could spread rapidly, but this definitely was troublesome news. “What are the details?”

“Not a lot, but someone broke into the lord's manor and now she's missing with no trace. The town watch has been marching up and down, asking around if anyone has seen her.” The elderly Elefae let out a shaky breath. “From what they were saying some watchmen got themselves killed trying to protect her, too. I would hate to encounter whoever was responsible.”

“Unfortunate.” Hamond tried his best to make himself sound agreeable. “But I don't see it affecting this. So, if you're willing...”

“Fine, if it gives you comfort, I'm willing to meet with whoever you have in mind.” Morgivel said reluctantly. “Still, I hold doubt it will affect anything, and the other elders will as likely as not tell whoever it is to stay out of our affairs.”

“We'll deal with that when the time comes.” Hamond shifted his stance, impatient. He needed to get back and inform Lady Hallowscroft of what was happening. “But I need to get going.”

“Yes, yes, yes, good of you to visit. And may the grace and glory of the Fae accompany you.” Morgivel, obviously still aggravated, was equally eager to see Hamond off.

“Farewell then,” Hamond said, turning to the door. There was little time to waste, not if he wanted to make sure no one discovered he had a guest, or who that guest was.