"...I'm not as good as her but I can do some preliminary checking right now..."

"I should have mentioned it sooner, I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologize, I'm not the person whose children are in danger." She closes her eyes. She concentrates.

"I'm sorry," she murmurs after  several minutes have passed. "Odette should have better luck."

"It's fine. They might be fine. Smart kids, good heads on their shoulders."

"I certainly hope so."

Her hands are shaking. "The Enemy doesn't usually bother taking Men alive."

"My range isn't that great. The fact that I couldn't find them doesn't mean Odette won't be able to."

"I know. I do think they are likely alright."

nod nod.

"And I appreciate you checking."

"You're more than welcome."

"Can magic tell what happened or just if they're still alive? In principle, I mean...."

"Past scrying is a thing."

"That's really interesting. In general. There are lots of things - solving crimes..."

"Yeah."

"You should make that capability known in your city. I bet it reduces problems."

"I guess I would have to actively tell people, wouldn't I. Everyone knows back home. I hope I don't trip over too many more things like that."

"I am sure you'll manage to navigate them all. But yes, no one knows that."

"Maybe I should assemble a fact sheet."

"What would be on it?"

"Past scrying, birth control, maybe that one thing where you can get your period over with in a minute instead of over the course of five days but I don't know, that one feels like getting kicked in the gut by a horse, anything else I think of or someone mentions."

"Assemble a fact sheet."

"I'll do that."

"This must be a ridiculous amount of work for you. I hope you have good help."

"I certainly think so."