Well, something to write on the paper with. Please. Uh, the embroidery on this robe is pretty delicate if anyone was thinking of washing it, I don't know your laundry situation.

Lancir chuckles. "Of course, that's included. We do have a Palace laundry – Tran, can you make sure the special instructions get passed on?" He pulls out a drawer beside his desk and digs through yet more papers. "Good, we've got some rooms in the east wing open. Any preference for morning or afternoon sun?" 

Afternoon.

"Good, good." He pores over the paper some more. "Tran, third room on the left is free." He's starting to sound harried again. "Vanyel, I appreciate your bringing this to my attention. Don't forget to come see me tomorrow." 

Vanyel makes a face. "I'm not going to forget." 

Uh, what time is it, locally?

"Midmorning," Lancir says. "Should be a couple candlemarks until the noon bell. Tran or Vanyel can show you where to get lunch." 

Okay.

"Any other questions? Anything you think we should know now, as opposed to tonight or tomorrow?" 

Um. I suppose if the reason that time hadn't passed in my native plane when I returned to it is that Arda, where I'd been living, has time passing very quickly relative to other planes, then it's possible one of my friends will be here looking for me any minute after centuries of subjective time has elapsed, so keep an eye out for that I suppose. He'd have pointy ears, black hair, and I guess if centuries go by he'll get really really tall.

Lancir stares at her for a while. 

"You just added a dozen more questions to my list for later," he says finally. "Thanks for the warning, I suppose. Doesn't sound like he'd arrive with hostile intent? We'll look out, anyway. Will he be able to communicate mentally the way you can, or no?" 

Wouldn't be hostile. They're all telepathic there actually, though they don't have abilities as generic as mine. Their telepathy respects a sufficiently clear distinction in others' minds of 'private thoughts' versus 'public thoughts' and they can also try not to listen for people who don't have that practiced to perfection yet. Also he'd learn your language in about an hour if you let him.

"Fascinating..." He shakes his head. "Sounds like it's not a risk to us if he does turn up, so I can wait on hearing more. I'll try to clear some backlog today and free up tomorrow for a more, er, thorough conversation. If anything comes up or if you think of something else, hmm – can you use your mind-communication at a distance? You're welcome to poke one of us. Actually, I think Vanyel's open today, so he can be your point of contact, if that works for you." 

I have about a hundred yards for that purpose.

Vanyel shifts his weight in the chair. "I, um, can stay that close to the wing, I guess." 

People will be alarmed if I just ask directions?

"Heralds, no, and they'll be able to give directions. Any of the Companions can relay to Yfandes and she could let Vanyel know." He frowns. "Probably you ought to avoid using your mind-communication with anyone who's not a Herald for now. Over here, Mindspeakers generally don't communicate with un-Gifted people – most of us can't, actually, it takes an unusually strong Gift. So the other guests staying in that wing might be rather startled." 

I could probably memorize a spoken phrase?

Lancir thinks for a moment. "'I need to speak to a Herald or Companion'," he quotes finally, speaking slowly and deliberately. "That ought to work and there'll be someone nearby." 

She repeats it carefully.

"It'll do." Lancir shuffles his papers again. "If that's all, I really do have a lot to do today. Vanyel, Tran – I'm available if something urgent comes up, but otherwise let's discuss tomorrow. Van, if you don't mind letting your aunt know about this?" 

Tran rises. "Let's go, then. It's not too far." 

Bella follows Tran.

They go outside and follow a different gravel path, past some more ornamental gardens. 

"Oh!" Tran says suddenly. "Van, I meant to tell you before but you completely distracted me – there's a party tonight. Celebrating Mardic and Donni's mission. You should come!" He glances back at Bella. "You can come too if you want, reckon everyone would think it'd be very exciting." 

Vanyel squirms. "I, er, I'll think about it." He gives her a mildly concerned look. "Bella, you shouldn't feel like you have to go. It'll probably be loud and everybody will get drunk, um, Heralds do that a lot."