The Aztec Sky Warrior's injuries were severe. According to Father Eugene's examination, the poor man had lost at least a quarter of the blood in his body. The fact that he'd managed to fly to Origin Harbor for help was thanks to the unique nature of the Aztec people.
Triss and Grand Duke Hathor examined the injured man as well, and they reached the same conclusion.
"These wounds were caused by the Blood Pact Clan's techniques. There are also traces of Sin Judgment left on him."
Triss said gravely:
"This is insane! Why would a group of Blood Pact vampires launch an attack in the desert?"
"I have to criticize your lack of rigor, Grand Duke Triss."
Grand Duke Hathor shook her head. As she used the secret arts of the Secret Blood Clan to summon her "temporary attendant," Palanno, to identify the wounds, she explained to Triss in a thoroughly academic tone:
"These wounds were caused by the Blood Pact Clan's techniques. That doesn't mean the assailants were members of the Blood Pact Clan. If you insist on a counterexample, I'd point to Luna. Didn't she establish a 'Deadfang' faction within the Twilight Organization?
"In terms of lineage, all Deadfang vampires should be subordinate to the Blood Eagle Clan. But can you say they're members of the Blood Eagle Clan?"
"You're picking a fight on purpose, aren't you?"
Triss fixed Hathor with a look that could kill, then activated her newly acquired "Raven's Third Leg." The six mechanical pentagrams at the top of the staff spun rapidly as searing flames of creation swirled around it. All Triss had to do was designate a target, and she could summon a meteor to incinerate a city.
Seeing Triss produce what was clearly a Creator-style "weapon of mass destruction," Hathor wisely shut