Here Kitty, Kitty - 67. Chapter 24.3

Tristan looked around at all the different beings gathered to watch the scrying.

“Everyone is to remain silent and still. If you don’t you could distract me or Fran and that will break the spell. Is that understood?”

Everyone nodded and settled in for the show.

Tristan took a deep breath and ran over the spell in his head again. It was a relatively simple spell, usually taught to beginners. However, it was usually an item being used as the focus. Not a living being. That was why Tristan had Ned casting with him. Two casters meant the spell would be more stable and in the event something distracted one caster, the other would keep everything going.

“Now, Fran, you remember everything Ned and I told you?” Tristan sat crossed legged on the floor in front of the little girl.

Fran nodded. “I sit still and think of the bad lady.”

Tristan nodded with a smile. “That’s right. Elder Jamison is going to shield us so the bad lad won’t know what’s going on. Then Ned and I will find her. We ready?” The last comment was made to encompass Ned and Jamison who both joined him and Fran on the floor.

Once everyone was settled Tristan held his hands out to Ned. They moved so they both had an arm either side of Fran, effectively making her the centre. They each had a crystal in one hand and a map was laid out on either side of Fran on the floor under the crystals.

Jamison waved his hands and a glowing sphere encircled them all, keeping the spectators out. As soon as the shield was complete Tristan and Ned started chanting softly.

The crystals swayed and spun. Tristan and Ned kept up the chanting, the rise and fall of the spell almost hypnotising in its patterns.

After what felt like hours but was probably only minutes the crystals both jerked from Ned and Tristan’s hands and fell to the maps. Neds had whipped right over Fran and had landed in the same place as Tristan’s.

“We’ve got her.” Ned crowed, just as both he and Tristan fell to the side unconscious.

***

It took an hour for Tristan and Ned to be sufficiently recovered that the medics would allow them to attend a meeting. On the condition they stayed seated and ate the meal the medics had got sent in.

“so, she is northwest of here?” Simon asked.

Tristan nodded, swallowing the mouthful of food he had before replying. “Yep, I’d say she is about three hours away. Judging by the map she is in a mountain region and if I had to guess she has probably found some caves to hole up in. Although, from what you’ve told us about her, Kitryn, she doesn’t strike me as the sort to want to give up her creature comforts. Electric, hot water, a soft bed, all these seem to be things she’d want. At least for herself.”

Kitryn nodded. “Oh, yes, she was always high maintenance from what I remember.”

“So, what’s our next move?” Simon looked around the meeting table. “We know where she is so now we need a plan.”