"Hmm. There's not really anything in our official written laws on that, actually? It would be problematic logistically, I think, the Groveborn actually does do a lot of very important things that a non-Groveborn Companion would have trouble standing in for even if we appointed one of them; he's a coordination point, he can track several dozen conversations at once and keep track of all the rest and that's doing real work, in terms of keeping us organized and relaying important information. I'm sure we could manage without if we have to, most countries don't have intelligent Mindspeaking magic horses to begin with, but it'd be a huge adjustment." 

"Okay. It might be a good idea to have that on the back burner even though I'm really hopeful I can talk him around, but - Dara couldn't."

Randi nods. "True. Although with Dara he, well, had a lever to permanent end the conversation at the first moment he got spooked. I sort of assume that's what happened, at this point, that he's set up different from most Companions, much stronger balance of working for Valdemar versus supporting his specific Herald, and that means it wasn't an equal tug-of-war?" 

"Yes. But he probably also understood Dara as a person better whereas I'm this stranger who shows up and starts jailbreaking his herd."

"That's fair. I don't know how it'd balance out, but it seems worth you giving it a go, even if only because he's had a while to sit on it now." 

"I can organize my thoughts a little and by tomorrow I'll be ready whenever he is."

"Sounds good. Thank you." 

"Of course. Anything else?"

“Not that I can think of, no.”

"All right. Thank you for seeing me and, uh, letting me experiment with this."

"You're welcome. Thank you for bearing with us and the extent to which our system of government, er, struggles with this particular challenge." 

"You're welcome." And out she goes.

Amshalan is waiting for her. :Seems like that went pretty well?: 

:I think so! Randi seems really sensible:

:He's a good King. This is a lot for him to handle, especially with his illness, but I'm glad it's him. Elspeth was - pretty conservative, really, I think she would've had a harder time responding to it gracefully: 

:Yeah, 'conservative' isn't a good look at this moment even if it has its place. Am I wanted anywhere else or should I go wind down for the evening, test if I can Mindspeak Chalan?:

:Nope, this should be it for the day! You've been busy, I think you've earned your evening off, and everyone else is, well, absorbing: 

:Okay. I do want to get around to looking you up in the archives but I'm not sure who to ask, seems small potatoes for the king...:

:Mmm. It's too bad, this would be a perfect thing to get Dara's help on, sadly... Well, maybe you can ask Savil next time you talk to her. Or Vanyel, if he's a bit more up for doing things tomorrow: 

:Sounds like a plan:

When she's gotten back to her room she tests if she can Mindspeak her father.

It doesn't work, although it sort of seems like it should; she can feel him, there's just nothing to make a connection with (and if she tries too hard she'll start reading his thoughts by accident.) 

"Aahh sorry."

"- huh?"

"I have Thoughtsensing too and apparently that's how one uses it but all I got was you noticing the plank in the floor over there being uneven -"

He snorts. "Don't worry about it."