"I was wondering if I could use the records to track down one of my students? She didn't attend class today and her friends hadn't seen her either.
We're all concerned about her and I would like to check up on her and ensure all is well!" Stated Orian.
Ember studied him suspiciously.
"A child staying out from class is hardly an uncommon occurrence!. She might just be feeling under the weather!" Exclaimed Ember.
Orian shook his head.
"All those that saw her last night said she was healthy and eager for school and it's not like her to just stay out without letting someone know.
I can't help but feel uneasiness about her sudden disappearance. It would set all our minds at ease if I could talk to her." Stated Orian.
Ember gave no reply and continued to study his face. After a moment she spoke again.
"You're a good sort, Solaris. So I'll do you this one favor and hope that you don't intend to use this information for ill. What is the name of the student?" Asked Ember.
"Lavender. " stated Orian without hesitation.
"Hmmm..... isn't that the girl you recommended for advanced magic lessons last week...
I've met her and she certainly has potential! Other teachers have praised her talent and dedication too...
I can see why you are concerned..." stated Ember.
Ember got up and walked to a bookshelf behind her desk and began looking through the files.
After a moment she pulled one out and opened it on her desk.
"Hmmmm..... This is strange..." stated Ember.
"What's wrong?" Asked Orian.
"Her file is incomplete! Mother is listed as having the name 'Tanwen' but there is no details about her profession , nor any way to contact her in an emergency.!" Stated Ember.
Orian had a strange feeling of Deja Vu as Ember mentioned the name of Lavender's mother.
As if he had heard it before... but as hard as he tried, he couldn't add a face to the name.
"What else does the records say?" Asked Orian.
"Nothing... and that's what is troubling... no listed father... no siblings... no other family... this is most unusual for dragons... we are a highly communal race with strong ties to family? The only time I've seen this is..." started Ember.
"What?" Asked Orian.
"... is when a family has been exiled from their clan... but why would they exile such a sweet girl, even if her mother was exiled, it wouldn't apply to the daughter..." stated Ember.
"Does the file tell where she lives?" Asked Orian.
"Just the name of a house... 'Raven's Hollow'... in the Sky Quarter..." stated Ember.
"What about her mother? Did you meet her?" Asked Orian.
"It's strange... I 'should' have met her at some point before allowing her daughter into the school and yet I can't recall her face... I can remember every parent I've ever met and yet..." started Ember.
A ripple passed through her scales as she shivered as if from cold, her face became blank and she seemed to freeze for a moment.
A few seconds later she shook herself and held her head as if she had a headache.
She looked up and jumped as she saw Orian standing in front of her.
"Ohh.... Sorry there, Solaris..!! I was completely in my own world and didn't see you standing there..." stated Ember.
Orian looked at her confused.
"What were you saying earlier?" Asked Orian.
"I said I was sorry that I didn't see you there!?" Stated Ember.
"No... before that..." stated Orian.
"I'm sorry! But I don't know what you're talking about!" Stated Ember.
She looked at the open file on her desk as if she hadn't seen it before.
"What's this doing here? I must be going senile in my old age!!" Stated Ember.
She closed the file, before returning it to it's place on the bookshelf.
"What can I do for you, dear?" Asked Ember.
"...."
"...It's nothing... Just wanted to wish you well on your retirement..." stated Orian.
"Ohh!! That's kind of you , dear... thank you..." stated Ember before returning to her desk.
Orian left with even more questions than before.
Ember wasn't the kind of person that would miss an incomplete file like that, Orian suspected this wasn't the first time the dragoness had encountered the gap in her records.
Someone had bewitched her into forgetting the irregularity a few moments after discovering it. This was extremely powerful illusion magic.
Dragons weren't easy to manipulate mentally and that resistance only grew stronger the older a dragon got.
It would take an immensely powerful mage to be able to curse Ember in such a way, only a handful of mages lived in the settlement that could boast such a level of power, and none of those were skilled illusionists.
"Just what kind of mess did I stumble into?" Thought Orian.
He rode the freight elevator up towards the Sky Quarter of the city after his talk with Ember.
He'd never actually visited the Sky Quarter before, so the sight was new to him.
He climbed off in a large plaze that was placed before a steep peak. Two wide flights of stairs spiraled around either side of the peak.
Large stone entryways were constructed all along the stairs that traveled up the mountain, these entryways led to vast Stone dwellings built into the peak that were home to many griffin and dragon families.
The Sky Quarter was a large residential area of Sanctuary that had practically no shops or services located in the Quarter.
The few shops that had existed before had since moved down to the 'Upper Quarter' that served as the middle ground between this area and the main city.
As a result there was little in the Sky Quarter that would interest people and served as a quiet retreat for older dwellers where they could avoid the constant noise of city life.
Most of the Griffins in the city choose to build their roosts here, including Quicksilver's family as well as Razor, who acted as something of an administrator for the Quarter.
Orian asked for directions to Razor's abode so that he could hopefully get some answers.