"You lost a fight against them?" Captain Takhat's stare shifted back and forth between each of them in stunned disbelief.

  Edeline was in agreement with Hamond: they both did not want to reveal the details of their defeat of the Witch of Wrath back in Kelshir. The arrival of Ugotlas had left them with no choice, as they had to explain the exchange of words between the Witch of Wrath and the sphinx. They would just have to deal with the reputation that would follow them from this day onward.

  "You want to tell me you could do any better?" The Witch of Wrath...no, Edeline decided, she could at least give her the respect of using the old woman's name. Floire looked quite sour, resting one hand on the table. She was just as unhappy to have word get out that she had been beaten, Edeline realized. It probably didn't help they had to pack together to fit everyone around the table, even with Senby and Jylania sitting off to the side.

  The captain didn't answer, instead looking over to Ugotlas. "And then you sent her here with a spell...somehow."

  Edeline could not blame Takhat for being confused. The existence of such a spell had been beyond their knowledge at the time. To someone not trained in spellcraft, being able to transport a person across a distance that normally required months of travel would seem impossible.

  For Edeline, exploring the limits of just what a thaumaturge could do was part of her life now, and she would not trade it for anything.

  "I had thought my fellows would be able to hold her, but I suppose that was an error." Ugotlas looked emotionless, as he often did. Still, Edeline could hear frustration in his voice. "As was showing mercy."

  Edeline winced, well aware that last remark was aimed at them. Hamond and Nela had made the decision to spare the Witch of Wrath's life, while an exhausted and injured Edeline was not in any condition to object. Edeline had reluctantly accepted that choice, understanding Hamond's logic at the time. Perhaps there were no good answer to that dilemma.

  "I was willing to extend the truce to cover you," Floire answered, "But since you'd rather I not..."

  "Again, stop trading volleys," Myronel complained.

  "Very well," Ugotlas said.

  "So, what you were saying before about the spell?" Captain Takhat turned to Edeline.

  Edeline took a moment to collect her thoughts. "It is tied to why we chose to work with Ugotlas. Tell me, do you know just what the Sekhmati were doing here in Lasfont?"

  "Haven't any clue," Takhat answered, "I just know there were a handful here, and they were given permission to stay by Lord Lasfont himself. Didn't cause any problems that I knew of."

  "We were both looking into the same matter. Long ago, there were a group of thaumaturges called the Elemental Hex. They left records of sorts in various places around Hyarch. From what Ugotlas and the other sphinxes discovered, one of them, named Drimaera, left her record hidden here in Lasfont."

  "How long ago do you mean?" Takhat pursed her lips.

  "Roughly the same age as Hyarch itself, as far as we can tell." There was no need to mention the group was involved in the founding of the kingdom. If Captain Takhat thought at any length about it, that would be a simple guess to make.

  "Then they've got to be wrong," Takhat said, "Lasfont was founded about three hexty years ago. It's old, but not that old."

  Edeline had not expected that. If Lasfont was less than half the age of the kingdom itself, then there was no reason for the Sluice to have come here. But the magic the sphinxes had found was here, was it not?

  "Nonetheless, this is where we found traces of strange magic," Ugotlas objected as well, coolly looking at the captain. "Energies imbuing the water, seeping into the earth beneath us. Residue of spells that matched the description of Drimaera the Sluice. While I searched for additional information in the southern lands, my fellows were attempting to locate the origin point of these spells."

  "The...water?" Takhat gave them a puzzled look.

  "That was the type of spell the Sluice was known for," Edeline said, "Spells to shape water and the vessels that hold them, from the accounts we found. Specifically, we suspect the spell that befell Lasfont was one of the Sluice's."

  "Someone found that record here before you, then," Takhat concluded.

  "Most likely." Edeline said.

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  "It's not a normal record either," Hamond spoke up, "You may be thinking of a book or scroll listing off spells, but this is more than that."

  Edeline's eyes widened. She had decided to avoid mentioning that the supposed records were in fact the sealed essences of the Elemental Hex themselves. Furthermore, it was a detail she was certain Hamond would not have wanted revealed. Of course, they had not planned on Ugotlas being present, so perhaps that had changed his mind.

  "What we have found indicates that the Elemental Hex were sealed, with all their power and knowledge, into statues," Hamond continued, "For what reason, we don't know, but it was not by their choice. But what matters here is that they have been awake and aware for these years, and can still shape their own magic even now."

  Edeline's dreams of the Stormsage came to mind immediately. That was the work of a spell of some sort, no question. But if the Sluice could also wield spells, that might mean...Edeline found herself without words, gaping at the truth in front of them.

  "A spell of this power and range, even with the energy used for it spread out over a period of years, would be too much for a normal thaumaturge." Hamond took a deep breath. "I realized this last night. There was only one being who could cast this spell: the Sluice herself."

  For a moment, silence fell on the room. Floire finally broke it. "You sure you didn't have one too many beers?"

  Edeline already could tell there was no joke here, not from Hamond. "You wanted to know what we know. He just told you."

  "Assuming this is true," Captain Takhat said, "Why cast the spell in the first place?"

  "I don't know," Hamond said, "The only answers we could get there are from the Sluice herself, and to do that, we have to find the statue. We do have a few clues though. It will be underground, hidden away somewhere. And with the magical energies Ugotlas mentioned, it would be in a place with access to the town's water supply."

  "And as was said, someone already found their way down there," Myronel noted, "I assume you know something about the goddess of the fountains."

  "That old tale?" Takhat shook her head. "Never paid much heed to it, though now I'm wishing I did. As for the water...we pump it up from underground, yes. But if you're trying to say that everyone who drank the water here, which is everyone, should've been affected...you...you might be right. I wasn't in that part of Lasfont, and I don't know of anyone else here who was...heavens preserve us. I'll have to call off the guard patrols."

  "It's a risk," Myronel said, "I'd let your men decide if they want to take the chance or not. But you've already made that decision, haven't you?"

  "I have. You lot are the only ones who are safe to send out. Except...are you sure you'll be fine?" Takhat looked at Floire.

  "Only one way to find out," Floire replied, the look on her face disagreeing with those carefree words.

  Takhat frowned, thinking. "It would be foolish to send you out all at once, now that I've gone from one of you to...I suppose four, since the healer needs to stay here. Unless you, uh...do you also have spells?" She gestured at Myronel.

  "I'm afraid I do not," Myronel said, "But I can fight well enough." He reached down and patted his sheathed blade.

  "Then my plan is to split you into two groups." The captain poked one finger at Edeline, Myronel, and then Floire in turn. "You three will be searching the town for some sign of this statue, while clearing out any of the creatures you encounter. Meanwhile, Hamond, you and this sphinx...Ugotlas, was it? You will stay behind as a backup, and maybe ask around for more information about this goddess of the fountains."

  Edeline had mixed feelings, but nodded her agreement anyway. She would have preferred to work alongside Hamond on dealing with this, but it was obvious why Takhat wanted to keep Floire and Ugotlas separate for now. Depending on what they found, she could always ask for Hamond's assistance anyway, once they located the Sluice.

  "I can work with that," Floire said.

  "That is an acceptable plan," Ugotlas agreed.

  "It's settled then." Takhat sighed. "I wish I could offer you some information about where you'd find access to these underground passages. Assuming you're right...which I hope you are."

  "Someone had dig down to do it," Myronel pointed out, putting one hand on the map. "Checking in cellars would be a way to start."

  "Every house has a small one." Takhat pointed to the doorway leading into the back of the house they were in. "Of course, most of them are just a covered hole in the floor to keep food cool during the day. You won't find anything in those."

  "Cellars?" Senby repeated the word, rising to his feet. "My master had a large cellar with tunnels under his home. He brought some of us down there to..." His face paled as he trailed off. It had to be a grim memory.

  "You keep not mentioning his name," Takhat said, "So who is he?"

  Senby closed his eyes for a moment, struggling with whatever haunted him. "Kayebefa," he finally said.

  "I should've known," Takhat said with a groan, "Having them underground would be a way to hide any ashabti from us."

  "Who is that?" Edeline asked.

  "Merchant with ties to Remuati nobility. He has...well, had his hand in a number of things, but first among them was owning a brewery here is Lasfont. Over half the beer in the town comes from that brewery."

  That did sound like it would bring in the coin. Back in Hallowscroft, the brewery was owned by a pair of men, both of whom were the wealthiest other than Lord Hallowscroft himself. Perhaps even more so, now that Edeline stopped to consider it.

  "His house should be around here." Takhat traced a circle on the map. "If I was out there, I could point just which one it was, but...you know. It is on this street, though."

  "So we head to this street and investigate the houses there." To Edeline, this was better than the past two days of accomplishing nothing. They had a plan, and they had an objective.

  "If the gigant isn't there, yes." The captain pounded a fist on the table, the map and other papers shifting slightly at the impact. "If it is, don't even think about trying to fight it. Pull back if you see it."

  Edeline hesitated a moment, then nodded. If she had the opportunity, she would gladly ignore Takhat's order and destroy the gigant. Floire being there was the only possible problem. After this she would need to speak with Hamond about how to proceed with that.

  "Finally, don't be fools about this and try to push. I want you back here before night falls." Takhat looked down at the map again. "We'll start with this plan tomorrow. Now, I need to figure out how to explain your sphinx friend here to my men, so...Ugotlas, remain here. The rest of you are dismissed."

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