Dragonhold Academy employed forty-seven faculty members. Thirty-two were instructors. Eight were administrators. Seven were support staff—healers, librarians, quartermasters.
Seris had narrowed the list to eleven suspects: professors who had been at the academy for more than five years, had access to restricted areas, and had no strong family connections that would notice if they disappeared for long periods.
"Harvesters work alone," she explained as they walked through the main courtyard. "They can't afford witnesses. So they choose positions where no one watches them too closely."
Varyan added his own observations. "The Chaos stalker attacked Gilverc cousins. That suggests the Harvester isn't aligned with Gilverc. Or doesn't care about pissing them off."
"Or the cousins saw something they shouldn't have."
They split up. Seris would watch the faculty dining hall. Varyan would search the administrative records—specifically, personnel files stored in the headmaster's office.
Breaking into the headmaster's office was easier than expected. The lock was old. Varyan had picked locks before—a skill learned from years of sneaking into places he wasn't allowed.
The personnel files were in a locked cabinet behind the desk. Another lock. Another pick.
He found files on all forty-seven faculty members.
He read quickly. Most were unremarkable. But three stood out.
Professor Aldric Venn – History. At the academy for fifteen years. Previously employed at three other institutions, each of which had closed unexpectedly. No known family. No known allies. Lived alone in a cottage outside the academy walls.
Instructor Morwen Voss – Combat Fundamentals. At the academy for twenty years. Former soldier. Extensive medical leave five years ago—reason not specified. Had access to the armory and all training yards.
Healer Thalia Greer – Infirmary. At the academy for twelve years. Previously a battlefield surgeon. Had access to all student medical records and dormitory keys for "emergency visits."
Varyan memorized all three names.
Then he heard footsteps.