I waited.

Zitora sighed. “We met with the Stormdance officials. They arrested the group of ambushers we paralyzed, and despite keeping the magicians unconscious, they escaped the first chance they got. Since we knew the ambushers were free, we wanted to warn you. When we couldn’t find you in the market, we broadened our search.”

“How did they escape?” I asked.

“There was another magician. Since he didn’t use his magic during the attack, I didn’t pick up on it.”

“Blue Eyes is a magician.” I explained about being lured away from the market.

“He could be a one-trick. Makes sense since he couldn’t force you to go with him when you knew about his magic.” Zitora rubbed her eyes.

“Do the guards know who the members of the group are?” I asked.

“Not really,” Zitora said. “After tending your wounds, I returned to talk to the administrator. Seems they are from the Krystal Clan. But we don’t know whether they’re sanctioned by the main government or a separate group. I’ve contacted Irys and she will detour to the Krystal Clan’s capital to investigate.”

“Irys?” Kade asked.

“Master Jewelrose. What about the other magicians?” I asked Zitora. “The woman and man. Are they Keep trained?”

“No. I’ve never seen them before.”

Apprehension coiled in my stomach. “Warpers?”

Zitora shook her head. “No. There are no more Warpers. After General Cahil captured them all, they were executed.”

I relaxed.

“I feel like I’ve come late to the party. What are Warpers?” Kade asked.

I almost groaned out loud. An explanation could take days to tell. “Have you heard of the Daviians?”

“The group of rogue Sandseed Clan members who formed their own clan on the Daviian Plateau?”

“Right. The Daviian magicians, who used to be Sandseed Story Weavers, were the Warpers. They used blood magic to enhance their powers and tried to take control of the Sitian Council.”