"I'd never heard of it before they invaded, no."

"Exactly. I assume the place must appear at least once in a history book somewhere, and Valdemaran schoolchildren must hear it mentioned in at least one lesson – it is on the map after all – but it seems as though, after that token acknowledgement of its existence, for the most part nobody ever mentions it again." A half-smirk. "One wonders if this effect extended to Queen Elspeth's relationship with her husband. I believe he was much older than her and died decades ago, but nobody ever seems to speak of it." 

"I don't feel incurious about Iftel. How do you think it's applied, this effect?"

"I am not sure. I also have not lacked curiosity about the place, though my attempts to fulfill that curiosity were never very effective. It does not seem to be a detectable compulsion on individuals, I checked for that. It could perhaps at this point be explained mostly as a self-reinforcing cultural phenomenon – if nobody brings it up, it is unsurprising that children grow up not thinking of it much – but that does not explain the origins, and one would still think that a giant magical wall around a whole country would be interesting." 

"I'll keep an eye on how much people talk about the highly gossipworthy invasion after it's over, I guess. I should check in with Lancir soon, don't want to wake him up if he goes to bed early."

"Reasonable. You can Mindtouch me if you have any other questions." Leareth heads off. 

Knock knock Lancir! (She puts her plate where plates go and heads back to where she's been sleeping.)

:Yes?: 

Evening checkin, I'll get out of your hair if nothing's up.

:Nothing much. Further negotiations with the Ifteli troops, think we've persuaded them to Gate out in the morning. With their tails metaphorically between their legs, I hope. Everything all right on your end?: His affect toward her seems a bit warmer than before. 

We're doing fine. I'll be able to teleport tomorrow, if they're out of the way at the time and not just planning to come right back as soon as I'm there again.

:...I mean, I'm not sure I can guarantee that, but I got the commander to say they wouldn't under Truth Spell: 

Well. I will remain indefinitely able to teleport.

:I can confirm once they're out tomorrow, whenever you check in after that point. Then it's up to you, I suppose. If you keep a low profile I'm not sure they'd know you were back, anyway: 

I'm not really great at keeping a low profile but I can try.

:Mmm. That’s it for now, then?:

Think so. Hopefully I can be back in person soon.

:Hopefully! Goodnight, Bella:

And Bella goes to bed.

Nobody bothers her overnight. 

And in the morning she studies her scroll and then knocks at Lancir's metaphorical door.

:Bella!: He seems pleased. :Ifteli army has officially cleared out, as of half a candlemark ago: 

Wonderful. We'll all four be back today, then, probably, though not necessarily all at once.

:Excellent. Very glad to hear that: Lancir hesitates for a moment. :I'll be relieved to have Sayshen safely in town again. Well, all of you, of course...: He trails off. 

I understand. She's right over there in the room with me, she's all right.