"Happy to help."

"Sounds like a plan," says Royal. "I'll see you later."

Tea and Arcane are playing verbal chess.

"Did you already know chess somehow or did Tea explain it to you just now?"

"The latter."

Promise snorts. "Are you done thinking or do you need a while longer?"

"I have had sufficient time. I accept the proposed arrangement."

"Would you like Tea to leave when you give your name?"

"That may depend on how likely Tea is to eavesdrop."

Snort. "Sure."

"Proposed wording: 'you may, taking no extraneous action, follow Promise where she leads of her own uncommanded will'."

"Functional," diagnoses Arcane.

Tea transmits the order.

And Promise shows Arcane out of the crypt and flies up.

Up go fairies.

Promise goes up a little higher than she expects Tea to be able to hear, and puts her ear near Arcane's face.

"Sierulyperinon."

Promise takes a deep breath. And says, "I rescind all your orders."

"Thank you," says Arcane.

"What a harmonically fascinating place," he comments.