Everyone in the room stared at Damien. Many had faces of shock following his dire pronouncement. “What do you fear it is?” Luc asked. Damien looked at the others and Elaine said, “Tam maybe you should go and check the forge and boys come with me and help me make some drinks.” The others left the room leaving Damien and Luc alone. “Think about it Luc we know they are trying to perfect copying magic tomes, and it would be possible to make a copy of such a tome that acts as a conduit.” Damien said, “I know of such a tome that could act as a conduit for a terrible power.” Luc went pale and looked ill “You don’t mean that someone is trying to copy The Old Ones”. “Yes, that is what I fear” Damien said. As they finished their conversation Elaine and her sons reappeared. She passed out drinks to everyone and tried to start up some small talk “Well Luc you are quite handsome, do you have a wife or a girlfriend?” She asked. “I had a wife, but it did not work out” Luc said with a sad look. “I am sure it was for the best and now you can always find another wife” Elaine said. “I have been asking Damien about if he has a girlfriend for years and he always says he is too busy.” Elaine said. “That is because I usually am.” Damien said. “How exactly do you know Damien?” Luc asked Elaine. “Did he not tell you?” Elaine said, “We are friends of his family” Elaine said, “Tam and I knew and were friends of his father and we have done business with his family for years.” During this part of the conversation Tam returned “What are we talking about?” he asked. “Nothing just making small talk” Elaine said. “I haven’t seen the little ones yet” Damien said, “I thought they would have decided to investigate by now.” “They went out play” Elaine said, “We let them go and play for a while before we must go pack. We are taking the children out to my sisters in the country for some fresh air”. Damien looked at the tight look on Elaine face as she said this “are there problems in the city” he said. “Actually yes” Elaine said “We have heard from other merchants that an unknown group has been approaching certain individuals and offering a deal. They offer Dark Magic items for sell and in return the merchants join their group.” “Have you been approached by this group or know of a merchant who has?” Damien said. “We have never been approached” Tam said, “but I hear that a merchant in the black dagger a shop not far away was approached and took their offer”. Damien nodded and stood “This was a pleasant visit, but we have other places to go today” Damien said. Elaine got up and hugged him and Tam shook his hand. “Don’t be a stranger and come and visit us again soon” Elannie said. Damien and Luc left the shop and got in the carriage. Damien told his driver that he wanted to go to a shop called the Black Dagger and the carriage rattled down the road. “Why do you want to go there?” Luc asked. “I want to check if this merchant has a tome for sale and how close they might be to perfecting their copies” Damien said as the carriage rolled down the street.

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