"When did this woman come?" I asked.
"I'm not sure."
"Today? Yesterday?"
"I… seem to have slept quite a while after she left," she said. "I don't know how long it was."
"A sleep spell," the guard beside her muttered. "Whoever she was, she must have put the woman to sleep."
"Can anyone just put someone to sleep with a single spell?" I asked.
The guard shook his head. "She's old, and weak. With no resistance in her body, the spell would work just fine. That's my two silver coins on it, anyway."
"Makes sense."
The old woman gave a tired scoff and wiped at the tears on her cheek. "Weak? I'm still standing, aren't I?"
"Was Hatche acting strangely before this?" I asked. "I mean, besides being upset."
Mrs. Lei shook her head. "No. She was upset, of course, because of Jelda. Other than that, she seemed normal."
"Hmm." I nodded. "Thank you, Mrs. Lei."
"I hope you find whoever did this, lad," she said, her voice suddenly sharper. "And I hope you bring them to justice."
