Basic Thaumaturgy for the Emotionally Incompetent

The ‘Knight’ was standing by the turn of the section as they walked back out. He had probably heard the entire conversation, yet he hadn’t made any comment. The first person to speak up was Anabeth, who said, “About the contract . . .”

Fabrisse’s first instinct was to snap at her and tell her outright he wouldn’t be signing anything until she got to the bottom of this for her, but from what he’d observed from Anabeth, she didn’t seem like someone who’d plot against him. If she had, she wouldn’t have brought him here and not harm him, unless . . . she was really in on this ‘convincing the Eidralith binder’ plan, whatever that entailed. Surely his EMO was high enough to reasonably judge now, if not his INT.

So he waited for her to continue.

Eventually, Anabeth said, “My parents are good people.” She paused for another second. “and—if I recall the voice correctly—the man speaking may have been my distant uncle Ivar.”

“Your uncle?”

“Yes,” she interrupted quickly, her tone almost apologetic. “He served as liaison to several Synod delegates years ago. It would make sense for him to be in proximity to such a conversation. But if he was involved, then I must be certain before I start defending anyone’s integrity. I cannot, in good faith, dismiss the possibility without evidence.”

He studied her face for any hint of deceit, but there was only unease, perhaps even fear of what she might discover.

“Ivar Margenholt,” she continued, voice gaining a trace of composure, “is currently residing in the northern quarter of Aurum Hold. If you would accompany me there—at your earliest convenience, naturally—you could hear his voice yourself. Then you may decide whether it matches the one we heard in the quartz.”

Fabrisse squinted at her, trying to gauge whether this was a trap, a genuine offer, or both.

“I give you my word,” Anabeth added, straightening her back with that practiced aristocratic poise, “that if the voice is indeed his, I will make certain my family’s role is investigated. And if it is not, then you will know we had no part in this conspiracy.”

Her gaze steadied on him, clear and unwavering now. “In return, I ask only that you give me a definite answer afterward. About the contract. No more indefinite postponement, no more ‘we’ll see.’ Once you’ve heard him, I would like an answer one way or another. I trust that is not too unreasonable?”