"Wagoner found her hiding in a barrel behind Varitty's. She's cold and scratched up, but no serious injuries. The only thing she'll say is that a Sera turned into a black dog and chased her. Ma and Da say you can find her here if you want to talk to her – from the sound of it, we won't get any argument about who keeps her from her so-called grandparents." "Shapeshifter?" Lips pursed, the Guard Investigator handed the note back. "Shapeshifting is rare – few mages can achieve it. Though it would explain why we're having so much trouble finding a foreign female mage." Thornaster turned the note over before handing it back to Ash. "A clever tactic for an assassin. How many dogs, black or not, are there in any city? Who would pay attention to one roaming at night? Accessing the palace grounds wouldn't be difficult either, though she'd stand out inside the buildings. And she would have traces of power about her while transformed, so I would know her if I saw her." "Well, if we manage to line up all the dogs in the city for inspection, I'll be sure to call you," Verel said sourly, and left.
