Page 40 of The Sundered Realms

“She,“ Lady Inealuwor said, “wants nothing to do with speeches and playing nice with awful politicians and caring what other people think of me and all the non-daily responsibilities. I am perfectly happy quietly handling logistics inside. Anything outside is his problem. But I understand there’s a spell language I’ll need to assemble a team for?”

At Vhannor’s nod, Liris passed over her notes on Thyrasel, expanded since their departure from Etorsiye, with an introduction like she’d given Jadrhun but more clinical.

Lady Inealuwor skimmed. “Good gods, did real people actually speak this language?”

“Its height was as a competitive art form,” Liris explained. “It began as a language to hide messages from the ruling class and was eventually coopted for salons as a kind of decadent subversion for the wealthy when they were being conquered. Then they were, well, conquered, and let’s say it was no longer fashionable.”

“Ah, that sounds more like people,” Lady Inealuwor said. “Since so little remains, you probably had access to records others who’ve seen this language didn’t. Given the keys you worked out, I’ll see if I can recruit any other scholars familiar with this language as resource experts. They won’t be field workers, but perhaps they can consult.”

“There’s another problem I didn’t risk including via message,” Vhannor said. “The demon portal in Yenti was Jadrhun’s work.”

Lady Inealuwor sucked in a shocked breath, the first uncontrolled emotion Liris had seen from her. “Jadrhun? After all this time? He was never stupid, and... showing up working with demons? Jadrhun?”

“I know,” Vhannor said, “but even if Liris hadn’t met him, I recognized the handwriting. I’m sure.”

Lady Inealuwor bowed her head, hiding her face for a moment.

“You both know him,” Liris said. “Was he a student here?”

“Not just a student—a genius,” Vhannor said. “Understand that I say that as the best field caster in all the realms.”

Gods, to know that about yourself and be utterly confident in it. No wonder she was attracted to him.

And no wonder she had difficulty believing one of the most magically powerful people in all the Sundered Realms saw what she was capable of and was willing to put his resources toward helping her achieve it.

“I can dispel just about anything with no planning, but the things Jadrhun could do to a spell as a teenager—“

“You need to save this explanation,” Lady Inealuwor interrupted.

Vhannor frowned, narrowing his eyes. “For what?”

“For when all the reports have been filed and Liris is both officially cleared of wrongdoing and cleared for classified information,” Lady Inealuwor said. “I don’t expect it will be long. If you haven’t told her yet, you can manage a little longer.”

Void it. Liris had been so busy asking about spells which anyone could teach her, she hadn’t asked about state secrets.

Admittedly she didn’t want them to consider her a spy, but what a missed opportunity.

“Fine.” Vhannor crossed his arms. “You have a dorm room ready for her?”

Lady Inealuwor studied Liris for a moment and came to a decision. “No, she’ll be staying with Shry, provided Liris has no objection.”

“What?“ Vhannor surged to his feet in an instant. “Shry—“

“Has already agreed,” Lady Inealuwor interrupted. “The guest room in her house doesn’t see any use unless you sleep over, and she says you haven’t done so in ages.”

“Exactly,” Vhannor growled. “I told you Liris is from Serenthuar. She deserves to be around people.”

Liris’ chest tightened. This man.

“You did tell me,” Lady Inealuwor agreed. “Did it occur to you that so much noise might be uncomfortable for someone accustomed to silence, willingly or not? And did it occur to you that if you’re correct that demon servants—that Jadrhun is targeting her—“

“Jadrhun lived in the dorms and probably knows how the security spells work.” Vhannor rubbed a hand over his head. “Void it.”

“Indeed. Living with Shry will be more secure for her.”

Liris judged it safe to step in. “Because of Shry, or because of spells at her house?”

Lady Inealuwor smiled at her. “Both. Any objections?”

---