Storm moved one of the chairs and offered it to Aurora, before taking his own seat.
Once they were settled in, the Mistress introduced herself.
"I am known as 'Dame Ciela' to my close acquaintances or 'The Lady of Elysium ' to everyone else.
The Matriarch sent word that I should expect you, but I must admit, your appearance is 'suprising'.
Wasn't expecting you to wear equipment like that." Ciela explained.
"I didn't at first, my former identity was a mage.
But with me being wanted by the guardsmen, the change was necessary.
This was a gift from 'The Shadow Prince'."
The news caught her by suprise.
"You have powerful friends then, Dragon."
"Who is this 'Shadow Prince', why would he help us?" Asked Aurora.
Ciela shook her head.
"No one knows! He's a very mysterious individual. Most people have never even seen his face.
He's a friend of the cause though! When his men aren't pulling all kinds of scams, or making life difficult for the humans, they often spend their time freeing captured creatures.
I've worked with his men on occasion, but I've never met the Prince himself." Explained Ciela.
"He has men!! I thought thieves tended to work alone!" Asked Aurora.
"Ohh, yes! He runs one of the largest crime syndicates in the continent . With men stationed in every kingdom.
If anything illegal happens, chances are he's behind it! Or he played a part in it!" Explained Ciela.
"Can he be trusted?" Asked Storm.
"... Trust might be pushing it considering his line of work.
But he's helped more magical creatures than people can count.
Just avoid getting on his bad side and you'll be fine."
Storm looked up at the large man behind Ciela.
Something about his demeanor and his stance reminded Storm of something.
"You're a troll, aren't you?"
The man gave a curt grunt in reply.
"Please forgive Igor! He's not one for conversation. He's indeed a Trollkin. A Frost Troll to be specific. " Explained Ciela.
Igor grunted again.
"I thought frost trolls rarely leave the Frozen Wastelands? How did you earn his loyalty?" Asked Storm.
"Ohh!! They don't!! But Igor was a bit of a 'special case'! He was captured during one of the sieges to this city.
The humans intended to sell him into slavery, but I bought him out and freed him in secret.
I intended to return him to his people, but he refused to leave.
He said he owes me a 'life debt' and that he's obligated to serve me until the debt has been paid.
So I appointed him as head of Elysium's security.
If any patrons cause trouble, they have to deal with him.
Igor grunted and crossed his arms in a threatening manner.
"What services do you offer here? Isn't that kind of thing expected though?" Asked Aurora.
Ciela shook her head.
"We offer a venue for weddings on the grounds, as well as rooms to rent for couples.
You can rent the services of one of the staff for an evening, but touching or anything more is strictly forbidden without the consent of both parties.
How far you get for the evening is entirely dependent on how charming and polite you are to your 'escort'.
Break that rule, and Igor over there tosses the rule breaker out." Explained Ciela.
Igor grinned.
"This isn't some cheap brothel! The ladies here are refined and we offer pleasant company and companionship! Not cheap thrills!" Finished Ciela.
An Edge crawled into her voice as she spoke.
"I imagine you had to explain that difference to more than a few people?" Asked Storm.
"There were some misunderstandings in the beginning.
But most people have gotten it by now and no longer cause trouble.
Much to Igor's disappointment. " Explained Ciela.
"The Matriarch explained that one of your people is missing?" Asked Storm.
Ciela took a deep breath before explaining.
"We've been visited regularly by a Hunter of some renown over the past few weeks.
I arranged an introduction between him and one of my most promising agents.
We hoped she could charm him and get information about the hunter base we've been hearing rumors about.
She was making good progress too but she hasn't reported in for over a week.
We questioned her patron, but he denies all knowledge and said she told him she needed to visit some ailing family member.
He's lying, of course! We'd know if she had really gone to her family.
I was about to involve the Shadow Prince's people, when the Matriarch contacted me and told me about you." Explained Ciela.
"If he's lying, then why not go to the city guardsmen?" Asked Aurora.
"Unfortunately the Hunter comes from a rich and influential noble family that made their name serving with the hunters.
It's why we identified him as a potential source of information to begin with.
They won't do anything, and the family would be warned the moment we approached the guards with this." Explained Ciela.
"So.... what can we do then?" Asked Aurora.
"The Hunter's family has a small mansion in the city. It's the last place we heard from her.
I need you two to sneak in there and try and find any information you can about what happened to her." Explained Ciela.
"Us!? Stealth isn't really our strong suit!" Exclaimed Aurora.
"Yes... I told the Matriarch as much!
Truthfully, I would have preferred to use the Shadow Prince's people, but the Matriarch was reluctant to involve humans into our problems.
The Hunter hasn't been seen for a few days now, so we suspect he might be holding her prisoner in the mansion.
At night there's only a few guards and staff in the mansion to maintain it.
If my agent has been captured or killed, find the hunter and see how much he knows.
Kill him afterwards if necessary!" Explained Ciela.
"Why not you? Or one of your other agents?
Surely they're better qualified than us!?" Asked Aurora.
"Me and the staff are pretty well known in this city.
If one of us gets spotted, it would immediately cause people to ask questions.
This would put other Kitsune in danger.
If you 2 were spotted, they'd just assume it's a random burglary.
You're even dressed for the act!" Ciela pointed out.
Storm looked Aurora in the eye.
"We came all this way. We can do this Aurora.
This isn't the first time I've had to sneak into a place." Assured Storm.
He then turned back to Ciela.
"I'll need information though!
Security features, House layout, Guard rotations ect."
Ciela nodded her head.
"I'll give you everything we have gathered. "