Continued from S3-2-3: Pieto Dotta, Nobleman of Galeazzo. “I take it the ransom is excessive,” Rynard inquired, drawing Pieto’s attention. “Ten times my daughter’s weight in gold… nearly eighteen million in Large Bronze. Even if I sold everything I have, including this house itself, I couldn’t raise that much in five days!” His eyes flashed with pent-up anger, then the life drained from his face again and his head dipped in despair. “Do you know where she is?” Blade questioned in a business-like tone. Although Rynard and Syn had sold their services in the past, she was a professional mercenary, and much more familiar with this type of negotiation. “Yes,” he replied, looking up to regard the beautiful, Dharijorian warrior with a glimmer of hope. “The fiend that has her calls himself Dregolath Xorn. He sent a demon to take her two nights ago, during the Festival of the Sea King. It took her right off the street, from amongst a group of her friends, who said that it appeared as a beautiful woman, and when it kissed her, she fell unconscious into its arms, and then they both vanished in cloud of red mist before anyone could react. Last night the same demon came to me… It appeared in my private chambers, and gave me these instructions.” He slid a rolled piece of paper down the table to her. The instructions were simple and clear; introducing her capture, demanding the ransom be taken to his fortress in the Bone Hills and provided direction to get there. They also stated that no more then five men could accompany the payment, and warned that Caterina would be on the block in Hwamgaarl the very next day if the dead-line was missed. As Blade passed the paper to Syn, who quickly read it and then turned it over to Rynard, Pieto rose and turned to a sideboard, retrieving a large book and a sack that jingled with the sound of coins. “One thousand Large Gold… enough to live well for years,” he announced, “and this; a grimoire from the days Melnibone ruled these lands… a heirloom that has been passed down for nearly ten generations. Save my daughter, and they are yours!” Syn’s eyes flashed with true interest for the first time as they fixed on the grimoire, while Blade and Rynard shot a look of acceptance between them. Then Rynard turned to Pieto. “Why would this Mabden demand a ransom you couldn’t pay? If he just wanted to sell your daughter as a slave, he could have done so already. So why bother making a demand that’s beyond your means?” Pieto looked down in shame as he replied; “That’s my fault I fear. I’ve bragged privately that House Dotta is returning to the greatness it once had. I’ve made trade agreements which will be very profitable… If they are fulfilled. When the demon delivered its master’s demands, it revealed that it had been spying on me for months, posing as a household servant. It heard me bragging of this new found wealth many times, and must have reported to its master that I have greater means then I truly do.” “Then how do you know there aren’t any more spies in your House?” Rynard demanded. To be continued on S3-2-5: Titan Kelos, Servant of Donblas. The fourth installment to the second "book" in the "mini-novel" of my Stormbringer characters' adventures. Thanks for looking... Hope you enjoy! Comments and suggestions always welcome and appreciated!