"Viper's Kiss. It's difficult to find. I happen to know who would've had access to it."
Serena's breath slowed.
"It's a lead," Nightspire added. "But I'd imagine you'd want to get to the bottom of it. Or he would."
"How did you..." Serena began to ask, then switched her question. "Who?"
"The source is in a district in Orosia," he answered. "But poison doesn't walk through castle walls on its own. There would have had to be people on the inside of Drakenfell."
That sat heavy. Traitors. Plural.
"When you're ready," he continued, "have Hyran contact my Master Mage, Maelor Vantheos. You can bring one or two with you," he added, like an afterthought. "No more. And I wouldn't recommend Dexmon. There are people in that district who would kill him on sight. No questions asked."
"Consider it a courtesy." He leaned back slightly. "From family."
