A woman with golden shoulder length hair and piercing blue eyes with a frustrated look on her face stands before a large stone basin containing swirling blue waters, lit from within by a bright blue glow. She slams her hands on the basin, which causes the ancient stone to shivers under the impact. An iron bound oak door opens into the otherwise unadorned room made up of large granite blocks. A dim light outlines a figure as it quickly enters the room closing the door behind them.

“Well?”, the woman asks as she straightens her rich robes.

A soft male voice answers from the shadows, “There is no sign anywhere.”

“What about that fool who tried to capture them?”

The soft voice betrayed no emotion as he replied, “Caption Markus has committed final death. General Amos has taken in Markus’ wife and son into his household saying his suicide cleaned the stain of honor.”

“I just wonder if the suicide, like the bungled capture attempt was his idea or someone else's?”

“There is no way to know now. I take it the scrying attempt failed?”

“Yes, the protective spells are still in effect, so we cannot track her, but no one else should be able to either. What did the Silver Thorns say?”

“We are keeping the Silver Thorns in protective custody for now with the promise of some unique training opportunities. They have no idea where Nora or George could be. They do not seem to know a lot about George. What they do know indicates someone with very unusual abilities, advanced skills, and unique training by Captain Varus. They did not tell him who Nora actually is.”

“Yes, both a Harrow and Reborn, so he will definitely have some unusual abilities.”, she says with a worried frown.

“She is well trained for this and it sounds like he has been as well by Captain Varus himself.”

She waved his words away, “Training can only do so much when they are still such a low level. Let me know if our spies report anything and make sure no one else gets the news before me.”

The figure opens the door and leaves silently with this dismissal, leaving the woman staring blankly at the swirling waters in worry.

✽✽✽

In a brightly lit room a young woman has just finished smashing a large intricately decorated vase as she yells at a figure prostrate on the floor to her left.

“Stop cowering there and finish your report.”

“She is nowhere to be found and there is no trace of her party.”

“It has to be mother.” She says grinding her teeth. “What about the Oracle?”

“The Oracle continues to say the same thing. Your sister is the one destined to take power.”

“What about the Reborn?”

“No sign of him either, but there is an interesting development. One of our spies in the Domain of Fire has indicated everyone is the priesthood is to be on the lookout for a Reborn Harrow.”

“Hmmm, well that will complicate matters for everyone. If the priesthood is involved they will be watching every portal. Have our spies concentrate on the gate and portals.”

“Very well my lady.” He says backing out of the room.

She turns to face the shattered vase, which reminds her so much of her plans. “Where are you sister?” She whispers.