Siana listened carefully, letting herself have a moment to digest the information and feeling a little nauseous when it did.
"So what you're saying is," she began slowly, "that our culprit is a-- a mage who is attempting to cultivate more power than he -- or she -- has any ability to, but that these--" She hesitated a moment, trying to pick the best word. "--despicable acts will allow this person to have it?"
She sighed and shook her head. "Tell me more. Do these symbols give you any insight as to why someone would want this power specifically?" Though if they had no qualms with murdering and mutilating, Siana knew that it would be nothing along the lines of 'world peace.' "Or are you aware of any mages in the tower who might be... susceptible to desiring more power in such a manner?"
Sometimes, Siana knew, one did not want more power for any reason than that they thirsted for it, but she doubted that if one were to go these lengths that they had no ulterior motives.