2021

LU:
… I hear Es is enjoying the sun.

CAMMEO:
Oh yes. It’s quite lovely to see too.  There is one thing
that I’m somewhat concerned about.

LU:
Yes?

CAMMEO:
If other vampires were find out that Es can be in the sun
because of these magical tattoos …

LU:
No need to worry Cammeo. The odds of another vampire 

successfully copying those tattoos are 86,216 to 1.

CAMMEO:
Oh my.

LU:
You see, Racolo wove magic into the tattooed runes, as well
as the actual ink. Plus, some of the runes are disguised
inside  other runes. It’s all quite complicated,
but I can assure you, we are quite safe.

CAMMEO:
That’s just brilliant.

LU:

Thank you, I try to be thorough.

 

LU:

… What’s this?

CAMMEO:
Hideous, isn’t it? It belongs to Herita. 

CAMMEO:
… I think she kept it because she knew how much I hated it.
I thought I’d send it to her along with the rest of her things.

LU:
By all means. I’ll bring it to the post for you later today.
Oh that reminds me, Harmonia is returning this weekend.

CAMMEO:
How lovely. I’m sure having your sister here will give
you one less thing to worry about. 

LU:
Yes, I’m always uneasy when we’re apart. She has her spells less
often when I’m near. She’ll be bringing her daughter with
her and I was hoping she could room with you?

CAMMEO:
Of course. Now that my sister’s things are all packed
there’ll be  plenty of space and I’ll love the company.

LU:
Very good. 

    Later, in the living room …

LU:
I’ll be leaving very soon to do some errands. Do
you need anything, Daprima? 

LU:
… Daprima?

DAPRIMA:
Oh sorry, I didn’t hear you. What’d you say?

LU:
Hmmm, you’re quite lost in thought. Is something wrong? 

DAPRIMA:
A little. I had an odd dream last night.

LU:
A premonition?

DAPRIMA:
I don’t know. I think so. It was so vague.

LU:
What do you recall of it?

DAPRIMA:
An uneasy feeling about Io, like … he’s gone.

LU:
Gone? Do you mean kidnapped, or stolen?

DAPRIMA:
I don’t know.

LU:
This is very serious Daprima. A genie is a very powerful
weapon. We cannot allow to him end up in the wrong hands.

DAPRIMA:
He’s also a part of my family, an important part. 

LU:
Of course he is, and I applaud the way you and your siblings treat
him; teaching him to read, building his self -confidence, he’s really
becoming himself. Do you feel this is an immediate danger?

DAPRIMA:
I’m not certain. Oh if only Fin were here. He’s usually
such a big help to me with this stuff. 

LU:
I could get in touch with one of my contacts in the Elvin
realm. I’ll see if they’ll allow Fin to cut his trip short.

DAPRIMA:
Oh could you? Do you think they’ll let him?

LU:
Well, the One knows of me, and my father’s work. If you give me a
moment I’ll calculate the odds  of having my request granted.

DAPRIMA:
That’s not necessary. I’m just glad to you’re willing to try.

LU:

In the meantime, we must take extra precautions for Io’s safety.

 

DAPRIMA:
Racolo’s already put a protection spell on his room, and his lamp
is magically hidden. I’ll ask him if he can strengthen them.

LU:
Yes, that would be good. We need  more details
from your dream. Have you tried scrying into a mirror?

DAPRIMA:
No. How would I do that?

LU:
I’ll get you book on it. Also, prior to falling asleep,
concentrate on Io’s future. 

DAPRIMA:
I can do that.

LU:
Oh, and the odds are 198 to 3 in our favor
for Fin’s early return.