Book 3. Chapter 54
“You’re spending too much time on [Illusionist] Skills. I’ve already told you that those are unnecessary. You have no future in illusions. Focus on my lessons instead,” Aberfa said.
They were again walking by the seashore near Alhaedra, their steps making the smooth stones of the beach rattle. She loved it here and wore an expression of complete serenity on her face, even after Brin told her he was cutting her off.
“Did you hear me? Hogg says this is our last lesson. We’re cutting you off for two weeks. Today is our last lesson for a while,” said Brin.
“This is how you repay me for betraying my nation on your behalf? I led you to that safehouse,” said Aberfa.
“You warned the [Witch] ahead of time. Now I have a new enemy in the world, and I have no idea where she is or even who,” said Brin.
Aberfa’s eyebrow twitched, but otherwise her face was expressionless. From his time with her, he’d learned to understand that she was intensely furious and taking great pains not to let it show.
That… didn’t feel right. He decided to press a little.
“Look, it was fair play and Hogg knows that. You never specifically said you wouldn’t warn her. He’s just mad that you fooled him. He thinks he’s too smart for that,” said Brin.
Aberfa’s expression didn’t change, and suddenly Brin understood. There was a power in submission, and ever since he’d started accepting her as his mother, he’d gotten an insight into what she was thinking, even when she didn’t want him to.