"Of course it is," Karla sniffed, snatching her hands away mere seconds after he pressed his palms to hers. "I have a young ward who mistakenly ended up here, a little less than a month ago. This error has only now come to my attention and I wish to see it rectified. Immediately. As you can see, we came with all haste, this should show you how in earnest we are. Bring me my ward and we shall depart at once."

"Your...ward, Lady?" Ferric stuttered, looking confused. "Here? This is a landen institution, my lady. Surely you can't mean--perhaps this rapscallion's led you wrong?" He aimed a cuff at Nyles, who nimbly dodged out of the way.

"Lay a hand on my guide and you shall answer to me," Karla snapped. "And I make no mistake. My ward is within your walls, unless something ill has befallen her." Her cold blue eyes met Ferric's muddy brown ones and promised suffering untold should the child she sought have come to harm. "Cora Hewer. Fetch her to me at once. Unless you'd prefer to escort me within to find her myself?"