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The clock tower chimed five in the afternoon as Daniel looked up from his meditation. James and Iriel stood in front of him.

"Care for dinner?" the bard asked.

"Yes," said Daniel. "I am hungry." Hastily he put on his shoes and sprang to his feet in a fluid movement that startled James.

"What was that?" the bard asked with surprise. "A Qua'ril move?"

"No," returned Daniel. "Just something I practice."

Crossing the lobby, the three of them went into the dining room.

"I've been giving some thought to what we talked about last week," said James. "I think the best thing for me to do to help you locate members of your family is to go to Wrightwood. I know a bard there who specializes in tracing family lineage. I can write to her or maybe we could go visit her when St. Sebastian's week ends."

"Do you think she can help?" asked Daniel.

"I don't know but it's worth a try," answered the bard. "You have nothing to lose and she might give you a lead you can use."

Daniel saw James' point as they came to their table and sat down. At the table next to them, Evan sat finishing his dinner. Frank came up to him.

"Dessert?" he asked.

"Sure," said the priest. "Some pie."

"All right," said Frank clearing the plates from the table. Glancing at James and Iriel, the innkeeper said to them, "I'll be back in a minute to take your orders."

"No problem," said James. "Take your time."

Evan looked at James. "Mind if I join you?"

James looked at the priest. "Not at all."

Evan got up and joined James, Iriel, and Daniel at their table.

"Enjoying your time in your hometown?" said Iriel to Evan.

"A little, yes. I've caught up with some old friends. But I've been spending more time tracing down leads on an elf I saw earlier this afternoon."

"An elf?" said James. "I didn't think there were many elves in Clearbrook."

"There aren't. And this one seems very interested in Tindolen's gem."

"So?" said Iriel. "Maybe he just admires the craftsmanship. I do."

"Maybe," said Evan. "Or maybe he's a dark elf come to steal it."

Iriel looked at him with pain. "What is it about humans? Why do you immediately distrust strangers? Why is he a spy and I am not?"

"Because," said Evan in a level voice, "you are the niece of a man I've known my whole life. He is not."

Iriel said nothing. Her anger at this all-too-human trait left her without words.

"Do you really think the elf is a dark elf?" asked James.

"It is a distinct possibility," said Evan. "Word that Clearbrook is celebrating St. Sebastian's week has undoubtedly spread to other towns by now and if someone described the gem to him, it might have piqued his interest. However," he continued, "suspicion is not proof and without more proof, there's little more I can do except wait and see what happens."

Frank returned from the kitchen with Evan's pie. The demon hunter motioned him to James' table. Frank handed his friend the dessert he had ordered and took the orders of the others, then disappeared into the kitchen again.

"Do the dark elves want to reunite Aure with his brothers?" asked Daniel.

Evan looked at him surprised.