Winter 1190 - Spring 1191

The magi of Thesarus Terrae are all busy preparing for the upcoming tribunal.

But Cerasus finds time to lead an expedition into the grotto regio to hunt for Vis. The animals, even ones that would normally be docile, are unexpectedly belligerent. After several grogs are wounded, the group decides to abandon the trail of their quarry and turn back. As they leave, they hear a woman's mocking laughter echoing across the countryside.

Gaius of Verditius, of the now destroyed Verdi Novo, pays an unexpected visit. He requests the use of a lab for the winter. For payment he bargains away a Vis source that Verdi Novo had recently claimed.

Gaius also asks Cerasus many probing questions about the circumstances surrounding the burning of Verdi Novo, and the disappearance of several magical items and resources. Cerasus suggests to Gaius that he should take inventory of what enemies he might have who would want to raid his sanctuary like that.

After rumours spread through the covenant, Cerasus later confesses that he was indeed the one who pillaged Verdi Novo, knowing that other magi would have done so if he did not.