"Well, it cannot be very clandestine," Val says, with an exhale that might be a laugh. "And you are already speaking of it, so you might as well continue to speak of it."

With a slight bit of extra force, he sets aside his teacup once more and heaves himself up so that he is sitting, cross-legged and facing Wysteria once more. Elbows resting on his knees, he knits his fingers together and tents both forefingers, and fixes her with a piercing and thoughtful look.

"It is not for Riftwatch," he says, after a moment. "Is it some silly Warden thing?"