He knew only too well what methods the elf was capable of using to persuade others to cooperate.
‘You’re spoiling my act, Darius,’ the Duchess chided him. ‘Be glad it’s only in our intimate little circle.’
‘Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare.’ Bleist was no fool and had no intention of bidding farewell to the world so soon.
‘Well, that’s what I thought.’ The elf settled herself more comfortably in her seat. ‘Returning to those most charming merchants. They’ve recalled a few intriguing details. Firstly, the person from whom they first purchased the items in question was rather unremarkable and behaved with unusual calmness on every occasion, displaying only rehearsed emotions. This didn’t fit with the sentimental tales of a discovered treasure and a change in one’s fortunes. Secondly, almost all the artefacts they’d acquired were said to originate from somewhere in the east, beyond the reach of Atlantis, Dagos or Asati. It was also strange that the items, regardless of where they’d been found, were very similar to one another.’ She waved her hand. ‘Not at first glance, of course. The artefacts varied, ranging from catalysts to simple jewellery. The common thread was the symbols covering them.’
‘Archaic Elvish runes?’
‘Exactly, just like the one used in Solvein.’
Darius grimaced, not wanting to imagine what motive the madman behind it all might have.
‘We’ll have to find every single one we can track down…’ He began to ponder aloud. He tried to recall who he would need to speak to in the Amethyst Guard in order to direct their efforts towards this painstaking search.
‘That’s what I thought too,’ Gizel narrowed her eyes as if she were deeply dissatisfied with something.
‘I have a feeling this is all heading in a direction I won’t like.’
‘Unfortunately, you’re right.’ The elf sighed and rested her face in her hands. ‘I managed to track down a few buyers, but it was already too late.’
‘Black magic leaves plenty of traces behind…’
‘Provided that’s what’s being used,’ she cut him off. ‘It was different here. Curses, faulty components leading to explosions, incomplete runic circles,
