Mother, I have good news, he began, using the green gem to transmit his thoughts to Lizaveta's sensorium as words. That fat upstart, Prelate Zhar, has made a mistake at last, and his currency with the Guild is at a low ebb. He manufactured-

I know all about the Eye, you fool! I have magic at my disposal you Guild Mages cannot imagine. Who do you think advised Starmor how to acquire the gem? I knew you would be able to jump into the breach at a moment's notice. This is all of my planning. Of course, I ensured you would be given the authority for the Quest. I have some little influence over your revered Dominie, and he listens to me.

Thorn felt deflated. He had wanted to impress Lizaveta with his resourcefulness at taking advantage of Zhar's loss. As it was, he had, once again, been manipulated by her for her own purposes.

I am sending Dalquist Rufior and Grimm Afelnor. It will be a good asset to the House to have another full-blooded Questor at its disposal. Thorn thought it best to maintain the appearance of insouciance.

It will indeed be a good test for the Afelnor boy. Even I respect Starmor's powers. This will be a good test; a gamble, yes, for you could well lose a pair of Questors, but the rewards for success should include consideration for your accession to the Guild Presidium.

I could lose a pair of Questors? Thorn exploded. Surely this Starmor cannot be that potent? He has no Questor magic, I am sure. My spies would have told me.

He is indeed no Questor, the Prioress hissed, but his magic is of a type unknown to you. I hope Afelnor is as strong as his grandfather, or I might lose the opportunity of meeting him. I told you how I might pay a call upon Grimm Afelnor when he was older. I am sure I shall be interested in him more than a little if he survives this Quest.