“Your instructions were to hunt down the traitor and bring them back to me alive. Instead, you fled. Is that what you’re saying?” Landis flicked a hair from his cowl. His fingers drummed on the table in annoyance.

Leona tried not to bite, “Yes and no. The dwarf took one, and the man indicated I should seal the trap’s exit.”

“And the man?”

“Headless.”

“And you escaped with the artefact?” If looks could kill the stare thrown at Leona by Sephiran would have the soil being tossed into her grave.

So many questions, “Not exactly.”

“Meaning no.”

“Yes, the carving bit the man just before he could execute the elf.” She secretly fumed. Why bother submitting a report if this would be a trial would without a jury? It was all there in writing. Or had this cult lost the ability to read now too?

“So you lost two of the sect, the artefact, and both subspecies that could either read the parchments or master the Stone.” Sephiran listened until hearing her illicit acquaintance had been terminated. Now she was full of fire.

Landis held up his hand. “Not now, Seph, matters of retribution can wait until the enquiry ends.”

“Not forgetting the portal field prevented deeper access. The initial target also escaped.” Leona figured drip feeding information might interrupt the inquisitors train of thought.

“You lost the Elder Mage too. This is unbelievable. Do you realise how long it’s taken to find just one? Not just a Mage but the Sapphires stone and a portal trap with the necessary information to hunt both down and slay them.” The drumming turned into a slamming fist. “I should have you executed in lieu of the elf.”