Veridian Ryuusan, for that was the fox's name, greeted his beloved partner-of-the-mind with a grin. Nosing her nearby hand with his black, and slightly wet nose, he gave his news again with joy.

I found them.

As her brow furrowed, Philomel was caught between elation and confusion. She had not been able to track them, she the expert of stealth and seduction? Yet Veridian, her erstwhile fox-form earth-spirit companion had? Surely he had not learnt that much in these past few years as much as she had, even though they shared a mind? Yes, he saw her dreams and everything else she allowed him to but her time practising and learning had given her the advantage, not he?

Eyes dropping down to his paws that were firm and strong on the snowy tiles, then flickering back up to meet his eyes Philomel thought about just how much his natural form did allow. Certainly being a fox gave him as much agility as a faun, if not more. And though he did not have her strength surely he had more in terms of lightness? And being small meant that he could fit into those hard-to-reach places, slipping quickly in and out, asking questions only when he needed to.

Her lips formed a stern frown, expressing her grumpiness.

Fine, she said, admitting to herself that he was capable of finding them, Where are they?

Leaping back off her Veridian twisted to face the way he had come. Over here, he gestured with a point of his nose. The other side of the courtyard. There is also a convenient tree that you might find-

But he was talking to air. The faun had already gained to her feet and was stalking over the rooftops, her careful hooves finding a way between slippy ice and firm tile. Looking over, she saw the complex of the Silver Cup, with its three sided, U-shaped main building. Other outbuildings, all of it surrounded by a low outer wall, were connected to the main ones, and it had been these that Philomel had been concentrating on. She had dismissed so far the single branch that Veridian had gotten to, presuming that Amari had wanted something more particular. Such as the fancier-looking outbuildings. Oh yes, Vaeron had told them where Mari had gone to for the night, but not about the bloody size of the place.

Saying nothing more Philomel smoothly moved down the usefully placed lean-to that was at the end of their current building, one which allowed safe transfer to ground level. From there she hdeaded directly across the broad street, not waiting as Veridian hopped lithely down also. Pulling the scarf tightly around her face, she avoided a chilling breeze that bit like a demon from an icy hell as it battered through the open gate of the courtyard. It took the earth-spirit not much time to catch up with her and prod his nose further towards a large pine that stood at a corner nearby the outer wall.

There, he said inexpressively. Second story.

Mmm hmmm, Philomel answered, and promptly saw the tree. Gripping a bottom branch she pulled herself up onto the low wall and into the lower realms of the sturdy tree. It shook but little as she climbed deeper through the leafy realms, thanking that trees were still able to grow despite the cold of this freezing terror. Searching with her eyes she found a second level window, as Veridian had described, and walked along the largest branch until she was able to comfortably sit and watch. Taking the heel of her hand she rubbed away yet more snowflakes and peered in.

Just in time to see Amari accidently slip back and fall onto the bed.