Every Blood in Rhy"Din can be easily contacted by the Family. Perhaps it is a magical tracking; perhaps it is something else entirely' Either way, image orbs find their way to each member as needed. Today is no different. Every Blood in Rhy"Din is on Bel's list"

Wherever they are, the image orbs find them, appearing out of the blue conveniently within hands reach. When activated an image of Bel takes three-dimensional shape. She's smiles in warm greeting before beginning her message.

"Hello all" Just a quick update on a few issues;

"First of all, the DCH situation is under evaluation, when a decision is reached, all will be notified. In the meantime, stay away from the insane attorneys; give them no reason to claim we've broken truce.

"Next, a confirmed person of interest that we should keep under careful watch; any information is being sought. Friends, family, profession' We need it all!

"Tasha has made "friends?" her tone suggests anything but, "with a Lord Veighn Yhaull."

As she speaks his name his image replaces hers. The picture quality leaves much to be desired, the male's features are indistinct and fuzzy, but a general overall impression can be determined.

"We have little on the dark mage. More would be better" You all know what to do?" Veighn vanishes and Belial shimmers back into focus.

"Alright' Next we have a rogue slaver who seems to require a firm introduction to the Family. We don't have a name, or a face yet, but we have an M.O. Whoever it is" Was stupid enough to attempt a forced collaring on me recently?"

Again Bel's image shimmers away to be replaced with what looks like a pretty present. The dark ribbon is particularly inviting. The gift tilts to and fro gently.

"It's the ribbons we have to be wary of; they seem to be a focus. They hold a strange yet powerful compulsion to be worn. Any who receive such presents, do not touch them! Put them inside a bag or box and bring them to the in-house mages at Onyx at once!

"Heed my words; this is an attempt to enslave! Take precautions to ensure this doesn't happen to you?

"In the meantime, we need any information on this uneducated slaver. A Name would be a great start....A face to go with a name would be awesome?" a melodic chuckle and the present fades back to Bel. "Do not attempt to confront the slaver on your own" Call for backup. We have too much on our plates to let any of them whittle us off one by one"

"Next up" We can't neglect to mention Daug, now can we?" Bel doesn't look amused. "Seems his latest pets are misbehaving" They are known as the Winter Brood, and let me tell you are they an ugly mixed breed of monsters!" Bel fades to black and slowly the image of one of the Winter Brood begins to form. It is a hideous sight! It looks like some kind of bizarre cross between lycan and vampire, sort of?

"I don't think I have to tell you to stay away from them' Do I" For those who do spot any' Let someone on staff know but don't go tailing it or picking a fight?"

The image shimmers away to be replaced with Bel, her expression sincere and serious. "I mean it family' leave them alone until we know more about them' And that means you too Tasha!" Bel drops a wink.

"On a more personal point' Kitty has taken severely ill. She's taken up residency at Onyx so that we can aid in her recovery. Her sister, Chryrie, will be staying at the house as well. Please make her feel at home.

"That's it for now" Before singing out, just a reminder that Lord Lankyn is back in Rhy"Din, let's stay on our toes, you know how the assassins love to stalk when he's around??

The image orbs flickers off.

Howe holds the image orb in his hand, eyes narrowed not with anger or spite but rather with glee. Such a treasure doesn't often fall in to their hands with this kind of ease, he counts himself quite blessed. Had they not kidnapped the elder Blood, Glan, they would not have this Blood Alert.

"How quaint of them to inform us, isn't it Jasper?" a smile to his favorite henchman. "Thank you for bringing this by, I am sure the information it holds will be most, ah?" a dark, evil chuckle, "Enlightening."

Howe flips the orb on and his mouth falls wide open.

"WHAT??"!!! She's like a freakin" cat with nine f***ing lives!" Howe screams at the image of Belial. He as did his partner's figured she was out of the way once they gave her over to Gabriel. Obviously they were wrong!

He pays no attention to the comments about DCH. The Bloods know nothing which is exactly what they want them to know!

"Damn it all, we'll have to deal with her again! Wait, what?s this?" a derisive laugh hearing about this dark mage. "Hmm, we'll have to hunt this one down, eh Jasper" Yes, I'll let Othinsson know about him as well. We've all heard the old adage; enemy of mine enemy could be a good ally." He misquotes blithely. "Hm, wonder what this Veighn Yhaull fellow really wants" Perhaps he can be swayed to work with us?"

The image of a present and information on some rogue slaver brings little more than a smirk to Howe's face. Howe cares little to nothing about this slaver. Well, if the slaver gets lucky and does manage to collar a few Bloods, Howe might be pleased enough to send him a "thank-you? present. "Less rats for us to eliminate."

Daugolozan and his new pets mean approximately the same as the slaver to Howe but knowing the bone dragon is still in Rhy"Din and up to no good is somewhat reassuring. DCH never had been able to tame the dracolitch which pisses Howe off even today but Daug has a way of keeping the Bloods busy which works in the attorneys" favors.

The news of Kitty's illness is very pleasing and it shows as Howe fairly beams. "Well, well, well, maybe Rhy"Din will need a new Governor soon, eh' And this one we can hand pick ourselves!"

Howe does like to hold on to hope.

Yet it is the last tidbit that puts Howe over the moon; It is concrete and firm confirmation that Lankyn is back in Rhy?Din.

And now the game truly begins.

Kage looked up from his book, and walked over to the door. A firm rapping noise was heard. A black-gloved hand wandered to the butt of the plasma pistol at his hip as he pulled open the door.

The bald man on the other side of the door reached up to knock again. "What do you need, Curly," Kage asked him before he could finish the motion.

"Lady wants ya, Spartan. Somethin's goin' down. You seen Junior?"

Kage raised an eyebrow. "Nope....Haven't seen Junior in several days. Try the Mess first. I'll go see Lady as soon as I grab my gear."

Curly nodded. "Catcha later." The man turned, and left.

Kage grabbed his webgear, and replaced the pitsol on his belt with his Dai-to. Pistols mounted up in the underarm holsters, and an additional belt of gear. He penned a quick note for Ily, and headed out of the house on his way to Natolii's office.

A swing of boots to the edge of a well-laden desk, loaded with reports he hadn't seen nor was that interested in. Eventually he might take a look, but having only recently returned, he saw little use in going over past issues.

The newest orb as of interest however. The sharp clear features of Belial noted with the narrowing of one molten silver eye upon activation. With each little strand of information the scowl on his scarred visage deepened.

Remarks regarding DCH earned a snort and glower. Those damn lawyers would never know what hit them, once Lankyn pulled off the diplomatic gloves. That day as far as he was concerned, couldn't come soon enough.

Next was the little blurb about Tasha and her "New Friend", which likely meant the new friend, was anything but. The young elf had never had any sense regarding male associations. One had only to look to the last one she had gotten herself tangled up with. Simon Helston was dead and gone, and he could appreciate that but Trev's only regret was it hadn't been by his own hand.

"Tasha and some Dark Mage? Oh, that's a surprise." Droll that low hissed tone. Well aware that girl had frequently tumbled into various troubles with blind stupidity as far as Trev was concerned. "That girl has been nothing but trouble from day one."

Rubbing a calloused finger along the length of a scar just above the patch covering his ruined eye, the frown drew between his brows in another scowl with the next on the obvious list Belial had created.

"Thrilling." Muttered in a flat snarling growl that meant it was anything but. "Ignorant Slavers. Bloody annoying nuisance is more like it." the rumble rolling from thin cruel lips.

And if that present list wasn't enough to ruin his day, the last remarks regarding that Lich capped it off. The one eyed Trueblood had plenty enough reasons to hate that cursed beast. At the end with news of Kitty's illness Wylde offered a low guttural growl and flicker of crimson in his good eye. Rising from the sprawled posture he moved out. Boots laying a hard stucco beat upon the glossy marble floors while the tall frame radiated annoyance. Rhy'Din never failed to bring out the beast in him.

"Be that the one ye spoke of Cieara?" Fiona had reviewed Belial's orb with interest, and soon followed right on the heels with the one from Natolii. Both only confirming what her youngest had already informed her of. Fiona was concerned regarding Kitty's illness and Daug's latest antics. She was also greatly disturbed regarding Tasha's newest, unknown association. Did not care for the alterations in the young True's aura in the least, but the slaver was something Fiona could handle she believed.

"Aye Mum. That's the one I have seen a few times in the Inn." The younger woman remarked, having watched the replay of both Orbs with a cheek resting in a bracing glove encased palm.

"Apparently this one has some idea in his hard head that he can enslave those of ours." Her tone was frosty cold and radiating displeasure. She had handled many such males in the past and it often ended in bloodshed, their blood spilling and her severed finger collection growing with every conflict.

Her daughter gave a low warm laugh. "By all I have seen Mum, he tends to favor the desperately needy, or mentally unstable, and all giving the impression of being hopelessly weak." Cieara sat up with a slow crossing of long legs, encased in forest green leathers. "Nothing at all like Daddy's girls. This Travanix's stock all seem either beaten down or apathetic, lacking any personality or fire."

Ice green eyes glittered with a hint of a winter freeze as she glanced over at her daughter, rising to her feet silently with only the faintest hissing of supple leathers. "RhyDin be littered with such types of pitiful, Sweet. Ye father had two from that realm and both ended up having to be killed. Aye, they be needy enough, but they seldom make for good slave stock. Of course by what Natolii has offered, tis likely this supposed "slaver" has likely broken them to the point of making them valueless. Some males can nae stand a woman to have a working brain or thought of their own and need to subjugate them in a futile effort to inflate their sagging ego, therefore making them the type of slavers that often do prefer puppets for pets."

Drawing the gloves upon long, black nailed fingers, she gave a deadly cold little smile to her daughter. The motion of her head sending the silver threaded braid saying against the small of her slim back. "I think I shall go and have a look at this creature. If nae anything else it might improve my mood as I suspect I shall find him a source of great amusement."

"Cieara, my sweet, will ye let ye Aunt Natolii know I believe her suggestion of using her Company would likely be best. He is nae as likely to be aware of them as he might others of the family. This one may require the element of surprise." Fiona's voice was chilling. Echoing with a promise of a resolution, one way or another.

She hadn't worked for Brutin in the past by choice, although the position taken had certainly been most profitable. No, indeed, she had taken the station to keep those of her family safe and she would be damned if some unworthy upstart would seek to reap the rewards now.

"I shall seek Aunt Nat now Mum." Gracefully rising to her feet with a casual stretching after unfolding and absently tucked a wandering strand of auburn hair over a tapered ear point.

"Indeed." If anything she looked even less pleased and Fiona gave a soft snort. "I am now even more sure I should have a look at this "Slaver"." There was a mocking tone as she stated that last word.

The years she had worked for Brutin Fiona has learned that a master that didn't even teach his chain the most basic of positions was not worth much. This one was looking more and more like a random rogue of some kind, playing at being a slaver. Perhaps it was the idea of inflicting pain and misery and the mind breaking and shattering sanity that drew this Travanix. Either way, he would learn soon enough that their family was off his wish list.

"Thank ye Kaelyn. I would rather ye nae visited the Inn in RhyDin without escort from now on if ye nae mind. Nae due to this rogue slaver, but there be far worse dangers then the likes of him. Ye I know can likely handle that one with little trouble. Tis others that bring concern." She softened her words a bit, so not to upset the sensitive young woman and then nodded to her daughter.

"Both of ye have care while in that realm. Tis a place I know is nae safe for many."

Slipping off into the waiting embrace of shadows, she was quickly on her way to stop into the Inn and take a look at this "slaver", having already a rather dim view of his apparent lack of protocol or practices.

Kage crossed the courtyard to Natolii's office in rather a hurry, stretching out his long legs to eat the ground faster without looking like he was making an effort to get anywhere in particular. No sense in concerning anyone just yet, he thought as he entered the building on the far side.

Once inside, he turned to his left and slipped into the passageway's traffic pattern, light for this time of day, but nevertheless a force to be reckoned with. He followed a chatty male bureaucrat trying his hardest to impress a girl that Kage didn't recognize offhand.

He cocked an eyebrow at the back of the man's head when he told her that he was Spartan's favorite retainer, and had done tasks of the utmost importance for him.

"Ooh," she squealed in delight. "You think I could meet him someday' That would be the best thing ever!"

The bureaucrat shifted uncomfortably. "Maybe you might be willing to stop by my quarters tonight, and we can talk about it over dinner?"

Kage cleared his throat. "Or she could just turn around," he said. "I sent you after coffee one time, Strephnos. You just happened to be handy. As of right now, I have work to do, but there'll be time to talk to....What is your name, Miss?"

"Rachael," she replied. "I've just been recruited for Second Squad."

"I see," Kage replied. "Then you will get more than a chance to meet me, Rachael. You'll get a chance to see what kind of an asshole I am first hand." He turned from the two, and opened the door to Nat's office, slipping inside before they could ask for more information.

"You wanted to see me, Bosslady?"