We used our magic to cast a fly spell. Then we returned to the city. I was rather confident in our defences but the guards did not open fire. I had no idea what the protocol was when you encountered flying mages. One would think they would at least try to stop them to ask some questions. Then again, they would need a way to talk to us other than shouting and hoping we would land.

We returned directly to the duke’s mansion. Those guards were a bit more active.

“HALT!” Someone shouted. We landed in front of them.

“Wait, you are the delegates who left earlier. Why have you returned?” The man asked.

“We discovered a credible threat. Are the negotiations still happening?”

He frowned. “Yes. There has been no disturbance so far. Sergeant Rudolph is handling the security. You should inform him about your concerns.”

“Sergeant Rudolph? Wasn’t that the traitor?” Lucy asked.

“Traitor?” The man questioned.

“Crap.” I said. Then I just ran past the confused guard into the building. Lucy followed. I heard some shouting behind us and ignored it.

We reached the conference room, the door was locked so I simply kicked it. My strength was enough to shatter the lock.

The room was empty. Wine had been spilled on the table. There was still some food and drink left. A door in the back was open.

“They have been abducted.” Lucy concluded.

“Looks that way.” I agreed.

“We should look for the sergeant.” Lucy suggested.

“Lily should be doing that right now. I think we were faster because we flew, but she should arrive shortly. Let’s search the mansion for now.” I proposed.

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“Maybe my fox shape can smell something.” She transformed and started sniffing. The guard we had met outside arrived and gasped.

“What happened?” He asked while pointing a spear at us.

“They were all abducted. We will start searching for them. You are welcome to help but clearly there are some traitors here. Anyone trying to stop us will be considered hostile.” I warned them. I also unleashed my aura a bit. He paled.

I heard a licking sound behind me. Lucy was tasting the wine on the table.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Just testing something. They were poisoned, I think. Not as tasty as what they used for us though. Rather subtle.” She concluded.

“Who is the glutton now?” I teased.

“This is part of the investigation.” She insisted. “Also, I think I smell something. Hop on.”

I jumped onto Lucy's back. I could have simply transformed into a panther. But riding allowed me to focus on other things. In truth, I was rather concerned and really angry. The banter was just an effort to hide that. They had not just taken our allies, they had taken Iris. She had stayed behind. I would not tolerate them harming my people. There would be no mercy, only punishment. And vengeance.

I could feel similar concern over the bond. While we had bantered a bit inside the room Lucy was just as concerned as I was.

Wait, the bond! Iris was not connected to us as closely as Lily but she was a maid knight. She was part of our bond. Maybe I could use this to locate her.

“I am trying to track her through the bond.” I said.

“Good. I am not sure if I am following the right trail. The scents are… odd.” Lucy said.

I trusted Lucy so I completely ignored our surroundings and focused inward. Getting a location from the bond was tricky. It seemed just a bit too weak. Could I boost it somehow? Hm. My frustration grew as I tried to figure out a solution.

Then it hit me. My aura! I had already seen how some of the power seemed to help others through the bond. The lightning I had summoned in the storm had enhanced Lucy in the past, for example.

My aura was fuelled by my emotions. And I felt a lot of rage. I leaned into that. How dare they take what is mine? How dare they take my people?!? I let go and my power erupted.

A huge storm formed over the city. I still tried to stop it from harming innocent people but I poured a lot of my anger into it.

“I hope you can find her fast. They will know we are coming.” Lucy said.

Admittedly that was a flaw. But they should have expected that anyway. My guess would be they had a plan to flee the city. I kept focusing on my aura. Lucy helped. She unleashed her own and tried to empower mine. Together we covered the entire city.

I could feel Lily, she was coming this way and was filled with concern. I could feel Shani, she soaked up all the hatred and was eager to slaughter our foes. And I could feel… Iris!

“I have her!” I announced. “She is that way!” I pointed. By now we had left the mansion and were on some street. I had not been paying attention. But Lucy followed the direction I gave her.

I focused once more on the bond. As Lucy had pointed out, there was a concern about Iris’ safety. They might kill her if we came too close. But I had an idea. I tried to shove lightning down the bond, into Iris. Maybe I could shock her awake. Maybe I could cleanse her of the poison, somehow. I just needed her to be able to fight back and survive until we arrived.

Maybe my plan worked. Or maybe it was the fact that iris was now inside my aura. But there was a response. A strengthening in the bond.

I opened my eyes again. “She is underneath that building.” I said while pointing at a church.