She put the quill down, locking the drawer up. Hysminai had no information for her - but Siana didn't expect miracles, at least not that early. She would end up owing the dwarf some favours, but her network was not to be underestimated. Even if she found nothing, her ability was credible enough to at least falsify some hypotheses.
Of course, Siana would never disclose information that could put her family at risk - especially to someone as intelligent and scheming as Hysminai. The only grains of truth were Basil's description and the need to find him. She claimed that the boy was a former protegee who took advantage of her generosity and absconded with expensive equipment. It was believable enough - not every researcher she funded was blessed with self-preservation instinct, after all. The dwarf should understand the need of having him back unharmed, to fully take the brunt of punishment. Siana hinted at wanting to make an example to be remembered, something her ally also utilised.
She hurried to the dining room - the servants informed her that Juniper called the rest of the family there. Siana doubted that everyone would answer the summons - while the Whitechalks knew better than to ignore Basil's disappearance, they were a willful lot. Why listen to scolding when they could find the boy on their own and bask in the glory. No, they would appear only when their well-trained minds couldn't come up with anything else.
Siana's resources weren't exhausted yet, but she and Juniper had a good and reliable working relationship. And she didn't exactly want her favourite niece to waste time sitting there, waiting for people who would never come.
She pushed the door open and entered.
