And there's no way to make everyone safe from hexes with the magic-protection kobolds get, or something like it...

The magic-protection doesn't block hexes - it makes it so spells on other people or objects can't see or hear or feel you, so they can't react to you; it doesn't do anything for a spell on you yourself. I suppose it's possible it can do more than that and most mages just don't know, we can check, I suppose. That'd have to wait for spring, though, nobody'll be casting that kind of spell now.

Or if it can't do that, something can. 

Maybe. I'll be pretty surprised, though.

Really? Why is that? 

It has to do with how casting works, I'm not sure I can describe it - nothing blocks mage-sense, basically, and if I can sense something I'm pretty sure I can cast on it.

Maybe you can ask my brothers about whether blocking mage-sense can be on the list of experiments?

Yeah. I'll mention it tomorrow.

Anyway, making Elven mages safe is easy if the magic's not transmitted when thoughts are private. You can just ask them for oaths.

She shudders. If it comes down to that, yeah.

Obviously finding a way to block casting is better. We need that anyway, in case the Enemy gets magic...

Yeah. Though in that case I think evacuating is the better idea even if we can't check worlds for safety yet.

Agreed. But there are a lot of people to evacuate. 

Mmhmm. I can set something up ahead of time, though. Maybe wait and see if the magic-detection form works, but then do emergency portals to someplace uninhabited either way. But, yes, both, we want both.

Findekano's probably a good first person to learn magic.

Yeah, I'm not sure they'd want to - or have time - but I do think they'd be a good mage. She grins.

I think he'd want to. He's very busy but that'd be a strategically important thing.

And if your siblings like them there's probably not a better choice politically. Do you think they'll be okay with Findekáno learning it before they have a chance to figure out a way to block it? It'll take at least three or four months for them to be able to cast safely, so I think it'll be okay, but.

My siblings don't like him enough for that and won't be okay with that even with their favorite person in the universe, if he was still a Nolofinwean, but I think I will be able to keep things under control as soon as I'm well enough to go back home.

She nods. If there's anything I can do to help, let me know.

Thank you. I definitely will.

She nods.

I could give them just the sense, if that would help smooth things over. It's possible to be really rude with it, and it's not useful for very much on its own, but it's not dangerous and it'd help them understand the magic better.

Their fear would more be that Findekano'd use it to come take things from them, try to avenge old angers. Which he won't do. They'll be afraid anyway.

Yeah.

I can wait to give them the teleportation form. They won't be able to use it until they can cast safely anyway.

That might help a little. too.