"...World," says Keo. "Another world. If you were just from another country getting you home would be dramatically simpler."

"...define world."

"A contiguous quantity of locations."

"I... see. Yes. That does present a problem," he says. "And, for that matter, goes some distance towards explaining why your magic works so strangely."

"It's usually different world to world, yes. It's fortunate for you yours still works here at all. Wizardry doesn't travel well, which is one reason we usually have very little contact with other worlds."

Keo nods. "Mine, too, apart from the wizard spells. But it wasn't a given." The lift, stops, and opens, and Keo shows him the first room on the left of the hall they have arrived at.

He steps inside and compares the layout with that of Korulen and Saasnil's room.

"Yes," he says.

"All right. I'll have Korulen accompany you into town on a shopping trip for the essentials at her and Saasnil's expense, at your convenience - now or later?"

He considers this question, glances around the room again, and says, "It may as well be now."

"All right, she'll be along presently. If you need me for anything, you can just think my name very clearly and firmly and I'll contact you."

"...Is this another case of minimally invasive mindreading?"

"After a fashion. My name, thought with intent, is the only thing I listen for - even my daughters have to get ahold of me that way; I can't be on the lookout for every thought of 'Mom'. I'd get flooded."

"Every thought of 'Mom' among...? Do you just have access to everyone's minds?"

"Not literally everyone. Only people whose empathic signatures I've been in contact with before. And I don't get anything I don't look for."

"I see."

Korulen chooses this moment to emerge from the lift, looking apprehensive.

"Hello again," says Ekador.

Ekador is amenable to being shooed.

Ekador observes its movements. He also notes that it is not the same box in which he came here with Keo, but it makes sense that there would be more than one, so he doesn't comment.