Later that afternoon, Alwin arrived at precinct 5 in northern Chrimoria. Sapphira Falls where Mars Rent lived was within this precinct’s jurisdiction, so one of their inspectors was assigned his case. The inspector Alwin was looking for was Inspector Glenrock Hardfall Jr., who was the son of Captain Hardfall of precinct 3.


    Alwin shoed his badge to the officer at the front desk, and was allowed to talk to the inspector. He waited several minutes in Inspector Hardfall’s office before the inspector arrived.


    “Inspector Trist,” Inspector Hardfall said, greeting Alwin with his last name and title. “I hear you need my counsel on a case. Though I couldn’t imagine why.”


    “Well, it’s involving a case that is technically still an open investigation. If it were an old case, I’d just request the report. Though I’m afraid it’s one that just opened today.”


    Inspector Hardfall raised an eyebrow as he took a seat behnd his desk. “The only case I’m working on is the one involve RavenEye’s publisher, Mars Rent. What could you possibly want to know?”


    “Well, the details of my current case are currently classified. But let’s just say the person I’m looking for has means of evading even the most powerful divination magic.”


    “Are you saying you’re assigned to the case to find all of the government officials who have gone missing?”


    Alwin didn’t give the man an answer. Even though word of the disappearances had spread to the entire police force, much of the information was still classified to prevent public panic. Even the officers who were scouring all of Chrimoria weren’t privy to all of the details of the case, which was why Alwin was proceeding with caution.


    Inspector Hardfall took Alwin’s silence as confirmation of his theory. “Very well. Just like you, I can’t divulge any information on my open cases, since we aren’t working together in an official capacity. But I can tell you that based off my experiences there are at least three ways someone could counter divination magic. The first is lead, which I’m sure you’re well aware of. There are also counter-divination spells. However, there is a third way that isn’t as well known. A mineral imbued with magic called Delirium.”


    “You mean like the symptom?”


    “The mineral is named after the symptom because of it’s unique characteristic of distorting divination magic. It can also shatter illusions, interfere with teleportation spells, and all manner of other things. They can be turned into rings, jewelry, and all sorts of stuff.”


    “Is that so? I think that information will help me with my investigation. Thank you.” Alwin and Inspector Hardfall shook hands before Alwin left to meet up with Holden and the others.


    ***


    While Alwin went off to precinct 5, Holden and Sable decided to try leaning on their own connections. The guard who had gone with thr group to the scene of Sia Reinhouse’s murder ended up escorting Naomi back to the Mages Union, while Holden, Sable, and Durik went off to Undercity.


    Their reason was to talk to Ike, who seemed to have some knowledge about the Leudox and their operations. The Leudox were still one of the main suspects in the disappearance. Holden and Sable were hoping that Ike might know something that would be able t help them.


    When they arrived at Ike’s pub, Camille, Scalia, and a young fox-beastfolk girl who Holden had run into twice now were all sitting at a table together, while Ike was working the bar serving customers.


    Ike had a complicated expression when he saw Holden and Sble walking in with a giant minotaur. He wasn’t sure whether to be glad to see them, or if he should be worrie, since they had only ever talked when something was wrong.


    “Well, if it isn’t the infamous detective and the singing cat gracing my umble pub with their presence,” Ike jeered. “What trouble are you two bringing to my doorstep? And what’s with the big fella?”


    “We aren’t here to get you caught up in any trouble,” Holden replied. “If that’s what you’re worried about. We just wanted some information.” Holden then scanned the room ,wondering where Atticus was, only to make eye contact with the young fox girl, who was scowling at him. “I see the little missy over there still isn’t very fond of my for some reason.”


    Ike looked over at the fox girl and chuckled. “You mean Salina? Yeah. I asked her about that once. She refused to say anything though.”


    Sable kept his eyes on the fox girl, looking closely at her face. There was something about her that seemed familiar. The girl had white hair and sparkling blue eyes, which were common features for fox beastfolk. However, that wasn’t it. It was her facial features that caught Sable’s attention. The cait-sith then had a sudden revelation, and jumped onto Holden’s shoulders to whisper in his ear. “Hey, doesn’t that girl remind you of the director?”


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    Holden squinted his eyes to look at the fox girl more closely. “Yeah. She does. Almost the spitting image. Think they’re related?”


    The two of them continued to stare at her, causing Salina’s to shiver. She quickly darted her eyes away from them, then switched seats, hiding behind Scalia.


    Ike cleared his throat to get Holden and Sable’s attention. “Would you two stop staring at the kid? It’s kind of creepy.”


    Holden turned back to Ike and apologized. “Sorry. She just looks an awful lot like someone we’ve met recently.”


    “Does she now? Then I guess you probably met her good-for-nothing mother. Don’t know much about her, other than she’s some high-ranking government official who can use divination magic.”


    Holden and Sable were both taken aback. Their first thought was Naomi, but why would her daughter be living in such conditions. Naomi didn’t come across as the type of woman who would neglect her child.


    “Know anything else?” Holden asked, not wanting to jump to any conclusions.


    “Just that her mother had Salina whenshe was young. Left the pour girl at an orphanage, because she didn’t want to deal with her. I’d guess Salin’as mom is probab;y in her late twenties, Maybe thirties. I asked the rphanage that took her in a while ago, but that’s all they knew.”


    Both Holden and Sable breathed a sigh of relief. “Probabl not who we met then,” sable said. “Anyways, let’s get back to why we’re here.”


    “Agreed,” Holden concurred. “Anyways, Ike. We’re investigating the Leudox at the moment, and thought you mightbeable to help us.”


    “You two got wrapped up with the Leudox again?” Ikre asked, then looked at Duri, who had just been standing there with his arms crossed the whole time. “Is that why you got the big guy here with you?”


    “Yeah. I can’t go into all of the details. But do you know of any means theyight have for blocking divination magic? Or somewhere where the might keep high-value hostages?”


    “Anti-divination and high-value hostages.” Ike reiterated. “That doesn’t sound like any red flags. Well, I can’t say I know of anything. Camille might’ve heard a whisper though.”


    Ike then called Camille over, who smiled when she saw Holden. “Well, if it isn’t the two creeps making eyes at our dear, sweat Salina.”


    Holden waved his hands in protest. “Whoa there. Don’t get the wrong idea. She just reminded me of someone. That’s all.”


    “Oh. Sounds like a terrible pickup line someone might use at a bar.”


    ‘I swear, it’s nothing weird. Back me up Sable? Durik?”


    Durik grumbled, and decided to help Holden out. “That girl resembles my employer. A woman with a lot of power and influence within Chrimoria. Their similarities are rather striking. Though they aren’t related, I can see why these two might think that.”


    “Is that so?” Camilla said, hands on hips. “Okay. I believe you. I was just messing with you anyways. So, what’s going on?”


    “We’re looking for Leudox hideouts where they might be keeping high-value hostages. And any methods they might have for hiding from divination.”


    Camille twirled her hair around her finger as she thought back to all of the rumors she had heard about the Leudox, Especially the ones she heard when she was a working girl for them. Nothing related to divination magic came to mind. However, she recalled overhearing whispers of a Leudox hideout that might be the answer to Holden’s question. “Back when I was working for the Leudox as a-.” She paused, a little embarrassed to say it out loud amongst all of the customers. “Well, you know. I overheard a couple of Leudox underbosses talking about a secret place they had outside of Chrimoria where some people were being kept. It seemed like something most members of the Leudox didn’t even know about.”


    “Could it just be a place in another city?”


    “No. I don’t think so. They way they were talking about it was like it was somewhere in the wilderness. They said law enforcement would ever find it. And that the bog mist made the air somewhat unpleasant. That’s all I have to go on, though.”


    “You’re talking about the marshlands south of Chrimoria? There’s an area that referred to as the Hollows. There’s an abandoned settlement out there. It’s mainly a bunch of old, decrepit houses.”


    “That’s likely the place,” Camille said. “It’s just outside of Chrimoria’s jurisdiction. In disputed territory no less, so law enforcement can’t follow them. Technically speaking. No one can, since that land isn’t owned by any of the major city-states within the Western Confederacy.”


    “Truly ingenious,” Sable admitted. “They are practically untouchable out there.”


    Camille nodded their head. “Yeah. Practically. If there were ever a place someone wanted to hold a high-valued hostage from Chrimoria, that would be the place.”


    Holden put a hand on Camille’s shoulder,, and thanked her. “This has been a big help. I’ll owe you one, if this tip turns out to help our investigation.”


    Camille blushed from Holden’s touch. “Oh. Well, you’re welcome. I’m glad I might’ve been of some help.”


    “Now that I’m thinking about it,” Holden said to Ike. “Where exactly is Atticus? Did the vagrant already leave you?”


    “Nah,” Ike replied. “I sent him out to pick up an order of supplies for the pub. Actually, if you’re going out to the marshlands, you might consider taking him with you.”


    “If you weren’t so busy at work, I’d ask you to come, too.”


    Ike laughed. “I’d love to beat up some Leudox thugs. But like you said, I’ve got work. Plus, there’s been a few other would be assassins coming to try to take mine and Camille’s heads. Seems turning in Sorten put us at the top of their wanted list.”


    “Should I not bring Atticus with me then? Sounds like you guys could use all the fighting power you can get your hands on.”


    “Don’t worry. My circle of allies has grown since then.” A few men sitting at the bar then held up their glasses in solidarity and smirked before Ike continued. “We’ll be fine if you take Atticus away from us for a day or two.”


    “Sounds good,” Holden said. “Tell him to meet us in front of the Mages Union as soon as he can.”


    Holden and Sable bid Ike and the others farewell, then left with Durik to return to the Mages Union, where they would meet up with Alwin and Naomi to discuss the next step in their investigation.