Virgil Carstairs and Natalie Morrow have stumbled on a mysterious (very possibly dangerous) part of the magical world, hidden from its wizarding counterparts...
On the longest night of the year, witch Cassandra Morrow stood in her backyard at a stone basin. It might have looked like a birdbath if there was anyone there to look, but most birdbaths have no need of the circle of runes marking the edges and basin here.Cassandra Morrow
Virgil spends Christmas eve with Natalie, visiting Cassandra in Iowa. They have a pleasant evening. However, the next morning Cassie tries to convince her daughter to postpone going back to the UK but does not tell her about the ominous vision.
The Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes has reported a possible breach of the Statute of Secrecy in Itchen Abbas, where an unseasonal flooding of the Riven Itchen has caused magical herbs and plants to grow in surrounding muggle areas.
"This doesn't accord with the usual methods of extremist Futurism... it may be down to natural factors we have yet to uncover." A team of herbologists have been dispatched to make a study of the phenomenon.Temperance Cartwright
Virgil and Nemo test out a magical pocketwatch that can predict the opening of Cheapstowe's entrance. They run into Greenie the house-elf, who disapproves of their meddling in Hag Town affairs.
The Goblin has been positively identified as Ozz through papers found on his person. According to his associates, Ozz had been missing for a full week prior to discovery.Temperance Cartwright
After reading about Ozz's death in the Daily Prophet, Virgil writes to his ex, Cepheus Gamp, head of the Ministry's Being Division. He asks if there is more information about the case in the Bletherskate, a Gobbledegook newspaper.
The Bletherskate suggests Ozz’s disappearance was sudden, and unexplained. There’s criticism at how slow Level Two were prepared to allow goblins to collect the body, and then a strong accusation that humans are to blame. In honesty, the last is common in the Blether when something goes wrong that is as yet unexplained for goblins. We are their scapegoat (and on many occasions, rightly so).Cepheus Gamp
Virgil approaches Nemo to discuss the death of Ozz - the Goblin whose shop they were instructed to visit while they were in the Hag Market. They disagree on whether or not to contact authorities with what they know, but ultimately decide to wait and see what happens next.
Worried about the whereabouts of her flatmate Nemo, Dido Tansi looks for Virgil. However, according to Unspeakable Ophelia Hassan, he missed his afternoon shift on Mysteries.
Virgil and Nemo find themselves locked up in a dungeon, somewhere in the Hag Market. They agree on how much information to divulge before being separated for interrogation by investigators.
Virgil is interrogated by Chief Investigator Costaravis Polemius Underthames - a free elf. He is also examined by Morcant, a fae who lives in the Hag Market.
Natalie Morrow is interrogated by investigator Zonyk, and told that she must remain imprisoned until her trial in seven days. She then briefly reunites with Virgil, who has given up his right hand as collateral for bail.
Virgil telephones Natalie mother Cassie in the United States. She immediately asks if Natalie is okay because she'd had a vision that she'd be in danger, underground. Virgil explains. Cassie tells Virgil she'll contact Natalie's father Thomas Daylight and that she'll connect them.
Virgil seeks out Athena in her home for help with the aching stump where his hand used to be. Athena pries for more information about how he came to lose it and she expresses concern. Virgil mollifies her by promising to ask for help if he needs it, and to return when he has his hand back.
Outside, the alley was dry as a bone. He rubbed his face tiredly. His dreams had been restless and incoherent things since leaving Natalie[1] in Cheapstowe. Nothing felt right, especially in the quiet moments.Virgil Carstairs
Thomas Daylight goes to see Natalie Morrow to explain how things will go at the goblin court. But first he must tell her that she's his daughter. The news comes as a shock to Natalie who must table the emotion of it all for later.
![[[Virgil Carstairs]]](/wiki/images/thumb/f/ff/VirgilCarstairs.jpeg/180px-VirgilCarstairs.jpeg)
![[[Thomas Daylight]]](/wiki/images/thumb/d/d3/Tom-daylight.png/154px-Tom-daylight.png)
![[[Cassandra Morrow]]](/wiki/images/thumb/2/2f/Cassandra_Morrow.png/154px-Cassandra_Morrow.png)
![[[Natalie Morrow]]](/wiki/images/thumb/8/82/Nemo.png/154px-Nemo.png)
![[[Kreeva]]](/wiki/images/thumb/9/97/Kreeva.png/190px-Kreeva.png)
![[[Ancasta]]](/wiki/images/thumb/b/bf/Ancasta.png/170px-Ancasta.png)
![[[Morcant]]](/wiki/images/thumb/b/bf/Morcant.jpeg/114px-Morcant.jpeg)
![[[Cepheus Gamp]]](/wiki/images/thumb/c/c1/Cepheus_Gamp.png/180px-Cepheus_Gamp.png)
![[[Athena Marrowbone]]](/wiki/images/thumb/7/75/Athena_Marrowbone.png/154px-Athena_Marrowbone.png)
