Chapter 59: Mental Leaps

I tell Tallah everything I can remember, doing my best to order my thoughts, wandering from time to time, though Sage is wonderful at bringing me back. So much has happened in the last week, I can barely believe it's only been such a short stretch.

When I touch on the Rupe sighting and my worries about the Brotherhood, Tallah mirrors my concern.

"We've been careful as a council to watch for any appearances of the Brotherhood and Belaisle," she says, leaning toward me, coffee long cold and forgotten by her elbow. "I'll be very disappointed in myself if we've missed their return."

"Considering their slippery nature," I say, "it's hardly your fault, Tallah."

She just shakes her head. "Have you seen Liander himself?"

It's my turn to for denial. "Just Rupe," I say. "Though there are sorcerers at work here, that much is obvious." Isabelle's problems with tracking Sage tell me that much.