"My vow must be fulfilled." The voice floated through the window, out over the river's edge where I hung from the side of the wall. Clinging like a spider by the strength of Sjer's powers.

"That may be necessary. We have now discovered where Malia's sister, Azi, is. The Silimiri have her. It seemed at this point that the protections we put in place aren't working.

There has been a development. She has been taken from the Silimiri. I don't know whether she is alive or dead, but the way of the voice is becoming known once again.

That is precisely what we wanted. Perhpas they will make a slip and we will find out sho's responsible. My dear uncle, Kasimiri you've done a great job in rebuilding the shadow water cirle.

True, do we fade away and collapse it or do we keep it going until we locate those accursed shadow mages.

Well brother, perhaps some money may help.

I don't care about the money. We need to stay focused on what we are doing.

Patience, one benefit is that if the Silimiri are on the trail, the shadow mages may hold back.

We have to draw them out.

Here comes our food.

Masters, your food has arrived.

Thank you, put it there.

Jerezal, you're not eating again.

Food is not what is going to sustain me.

I don't know what you learned with the trajimar, but this not eating is not healthy.

Sister, have faith. Have Faith. If we do this we can melt away again and live the lives that we want to live.

Ir'alia, uncle, what is the current situation on the ground?

We have taken over the Black Hands operations, we have put on a sham. The Water Blades are reeling. The rats of the dead are slow to take advantage of anything. They seem to be somewhat paralyzed, dont' they. Well, we'll put in the plan that we have discussed into effect. The only issue at hand is the mirror.

Brother, we've been looking for it.

It is not in the market where Sjer was staying. I cannot believe he threw it into the river. My guess is that it is hedden well in the city or outside of the city. So we have been pulling feelers to see about contacts outside the city. We believe there is one person just outside and we'll be sending a couple agents in the morning to look.

Internally, sister?

Things are going well. We have a good business going.

You have been able to chanel funds back?

I have, so we'll be able to rebuild our estates in the north.

Having listened long enough, I head into the darkened window on the left.