In the dark of night outside of Hueryss, Ian von Richter made contact with the von Erwenhest family. A pool of water had been collected in a large basin. He sat cross-legged underneath the cloudless moonlight. Calling upon his great grandmother, he asked the doddering nearly senile ghost to connect with Rose von Erwenhests' transmission mirror. A worm of worry ran through his guts, as he anticipated the hysterical vampiric noblewoman's emotional outbursts. The water stirred, as magical energy ran through the water.

Ian von Richter waited for the magic to stabilize. Rose von Erwenhest's frantic face materialized at the other side. Her rich crimson eyes drunk in every detail as he heard her husky regal voice. She was dressed like a queen. Her long blonde hair was done up, held together with silver brooches resembling bats. A massive amount of makeup added a healthy amount of color to her. Suppressed lines of worry and annoyance seeped from her despite her regal authoritative bearing.

"Herald. I was not expecting a message so soon." Rose began frigidly.

"Lady Rose." Ian von Richter said bending forward into an awkward half-bow. "Thank you for responding. I wasn't sure if you would answer."

"Let us skip the pleasantries. Do you have news? Good news?" Ian's smoldering coal eyes hardened, as he prepared his next words. Considering his words carefully he proceeded with diplomatic caution.

"I have news. Concerning news." Rose gasped. Her deathly pale face contorted with worry, as she covered her exposed mouth with a hand.

"It cannot be." Rose whispered. "My daughter. Where is she? Have they captured her?" Her hand shot up covering her mouth. "Don't tell me have the animals killed her?" Her eyes went wide as she leaned forward into the mirror waiting in horror for his news.

"I have confirmed nothing. But I must speak to what I have seen. My entry and investigations into the city have proven difficult. The beastkin revile the dead, that much is still true. Gathering information has proven difficult. I met with their leader who threatened my life. He demanded I leave the city immediately upon seeing me. I asked about your daughter's possible whereabouts. Elector Prince Javert claimed he would kill her himself given the chance."

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"Is that it? I thought you had news! Tell me about my daughter!" Rose snapped. Ian von Richter breathed in deeply.

"The Lady Lilly von Erwenhest II pursuing Freyes' champion assaulted the city. Freyes' champion was victorious. That much is certain. I, my mother, and my father saw the von Erwenhest family blade Blooddrinker. It was being held by a beastkin woman, as she was running through the city. There was no sign of your daughter nearby. With the evidence of battle and your family blade I can only conclude your daughter has failed in her quest. Whether wounded or killed she was bested."

"Our blade? That woman held our blade? Blooddrinker is held by a filthy animal?"

"Yes, my lady." Ian replied deferentially.

"You speak true?" Behind Ian's face, a ghostly form materialized.

"He speaks the truth, Lady Rose." Ian's mother spoke serenely. "Your daughter has been defeated. No body has been identified. We've only confirmed elements of a battle and the loss of your family's sword. Given the way beastkin treat the undead, death is more likely."

"Wretched beasts!" Rose screamed. The water of the scrying pool rippled, obscuring the monstrous inhuman face on the other side. Ian von Richter pulled away, as Rose von Erwenhest wailed in agony. Her silver brooches fell away as she slammed her fists into the table holding her transmission mirror. Her fangs extended out seeking for blood, as Rose von Erwenhest's chest heaved. Her rich blonde hair fell into a mess as she began tearing at her hair.

"My daughter! My beautiful daughter! They hurt her? They killed her? Those revolting beasts!" Water spilled from the basin. Rippling waves crashed against each other. The water of the pool sloshed uselessly. "Wretched animals! Those filthy flea-ridden animals shall pay! They shall not hold our blade! My daughter's death will not go unpunished!" Ian could hear the sharp intake of breaths as the countess mastered her breathing. She threw her hair back letting the long blonde locks fall back over her bare shoulders. Fanning her face she attempted to master her emotions. A minute passed before the aura of control returned to her.

"Herald!"

"Yes, my lady." Ian responded.

"I shall dictate. Bring my words to these animals!"

"Of course, my lady."

"Good."

Ian von Richter wrote her message. Inside he screamed as he dreaded delivering her message the following morning.