"Yes?"

"By insane coincidence, I currently have the Queen's best sorcerer in Tea's crypt under orders. I would like to secure his willing cooperation and could use a character reference from someone who can also pluck a hair from my head and demonstrate that they're not being ordered about it."

"He can see harmonics. Naturally. And he was on vacation and saw the end of the gate I made to the place I was planning to put my new tree; it had settled overnight. He went through it and Tea got him."

"...Is he all right? I can't imagine being 'gotten' by a vampire is a gentle process."

"He was a little injured. We let him heal himself once I was there to make sure the permission was snug enough."

"And you want your character references from me or Royal?"

"Or both. Yeah."

"That can probably be arranged. Do you need the reference urgently or can it wait until you meet Royal this evening?"

"It is not technically urgent but Arcane - the sorcerer - will be sitting immobile on the floor of Tea's crypt until we can come to some kind of agreement, which I don't like much."

"Reasonable. Should one or the other of us come to Tea's crypt to talk to you?"

Tea offers a serviceable description of the crypt's location.

Promise relays it.

"I'll send Royal," says Castle.

"Thank you."

"No problem." A pause, then, "Royal's on her way."

"When should I expect her?"

"In about half an hour."

"Thanks."

"Is that everything?"

"I think so."

"Bye, then."

"Bye." Promise hangs up. She goes into the crypt to announce that a mortal will be appearing to make a character reference in about half an hour. And then she waits outside for Royal.