"You're saying my child will have magic?"
"Don't be so surprised. It's why the Volstrum wanted to breed you, remember?"
"It's one thing to hear it, quite another to experience it first-hand. Does that mean it'll have Water Magic?"
"I would assume so, given your own power level, but I can't say for sure. Would you say Athgar is as powerful as you?"
"No, but I've seldom seen him use the full force of his magic."
"Your loss of magic is only temporary; I'm sure of it, but it does mean we can't rely on it coming back anytime soon. We'll have to come up with another way of escaping."
"We're chained in a dungeon," she said. "How can we even think of such things when we don't even know where we are?"
"It's not a dungeon," said Stanislav, "it's a cellar. When Nikolai brought me here, I managed to get a peek. We're under some sort of mansion."
Natalia's ears pricked up. "A mansion, you say? I think I know where we are."
"Go on," he prompted.
"During our stay in Ebenstadt, we learned that a Stormwind had infiltrated the Order of Saint Cunar. This is likely the house he uses as his headquarters."
"That's good to know should we reach the grounds, but we still have to get out of these chains."
"I'm afraid there's little I can do," said Natalia. "I can barely stand."
"Wait a moment," said Stanislav. "You said that Nikolai knows you're pregnant, yes?"
She nodded, then remembered they were still in darkness. "Yes, what of it?"
"I know a way we can use that to our advantage."
"Go on."
"The first thing we have to do is see how much leeway we have with these chains…"
Nikolai stared at the pale-blue gem set in the ornately crafted silver band. The metal that held the gem in place protruded to either side, giving it a curious shape.
"Something wrong, Boss?" asked Federov.
"It's this ring," the mage hunter replied. "It has an unusual shape."
Federov leaned forward to get a better view. "I've seen something like that before," he said, "though not quite as grand looking."
"And?"
"It's a key."
"A key?"
"Yes," said Federov. “At least I think it is. If I'm right, it'll unlock something."
"Like what, a padlock?"
"No. Likely something smaller, like a jewellery chest."
"How interesting," noted Nikolai. "It seems there's more to this Natalia than I had first thought." He held the ring before him, catching the light off of the gem. "This is blue magerite. Its colour denotes the power of the person wearing it. I'm told when Natalia wears it, it's almost black. That's an indication of very strong power, and yet she wasn't wearing it when I captured her."
"Where was it?"
"In a pouch, worn around her neck."
"Why do you think she kept it concealed?" asked Federov.
"To hide it, no doubt. She must have realized there were people about that might recognize it. That means she may be onto the family's plans in these parts. Still, it matters little now that we have her."
"Providing she didn't pass on word to an accomplice. And there's still that fellow of hers on the loose."
"We shall have him soon enough, then there will be an end to it all. They will both become a thing of the past, and we shall be able to live out our lives in splendour."
"How much do you think this child of hers is worth?"
Nikolai smiled. "Far more than Natalia was, unless I miss my guess."
"And the ring?"
"I think I shall hang on to that for a while. You never know what secrets it may unlock."
"We should toast our good fortune," suggested Federov.
"An excellent idea, my friend. Pour us some wine, and let us give thanks."
Federov rose, walked over to a collection of bottles, and searched through them, finally lifting one for his master's approval. Nikolai nodded in appreciation, and his aide returned to his seat, pulling the cork. He was about to pour the wine when a scream echoed up from below. They both rose, a look of horror on their faces, the ring now forgotten.
"The child!" shouted Nikolai.
They rushed out of the room, taking the wooden steps two at a time down into the cellar. At the bottom stood a door, behind which the prisoners were being held. Pressing his ear to the wood, Nikolai was desperate to hear what had transpired. To his horror, Natalia let out another scream.
"Something's wrong," shouted Federov.
Nikolai dug into his tunic, pulling forth a key that hung from a thin silver chain. Bending over, he inserted it into the lock and turned it, waiting for the telltale click, then straightened his back, looking at his companion.
"Be careful," he warned. "Natalia is highly resistant to magebane, so she might try to use a spell."
Pushing the door open, he let the light flood into the small cellar before entering. There, on the floor, Natalia lay writhing as groans escaped her lips. Nikolai quickly looked over at Stanislav, but the old fool was against the wall, well out of reach. Moving towards the woman, with Federov at his side, he knelt, placing his hand on her back, trying to steady her.
"What is it?" he said.
In answer, she let out a terrible wail that echoed off the walls. Nikolai backed up from the sheer ferocity of it, and suddenly a chain was around his neck, pulled tight by the firm hand of Stanislav. Nikolai reached for his dagger, but the chain tightened.
"Don't even think of it!" ordered Stanislav.
The wail abruptly ended, and then Natalia stood, brushing off her dress. Federov moved towards her, a dagger in hand.
"I wouldn't if I were you," suggested Stanislav. "One more step towards her, and I'll end your master's life."
Natalia moved over to Nikolai and began searching his clothes. Moments later, she pulled a key ring from his belt.
"You won't get away with this," warned Nikolai.
"We'll see about that," said Stanislav.
Natalia flipped through the keys, trying each one until she unlocked the chains on her legs, then
