"I will try to train the mages better. I have some ideas even if we cannot use practice runs."

IN THE MORNING. RIGHT NOW I WANT TO HURT YOU. 

 - he is annoyed. That won't last, it is not Sauron's favorite mood especially not for this so he'll change it up, but while Sauron thinks of a wording he is annoyed. This is not at all the approach to life that maximizes torture, or even maximizes torture of Maitimo specifically, and he's pretty sure it's doing nothing to his incentives because they've already been through months of carefully modifying phrasings and the mental states that must accompany them to get Maitimo aligned on the whole project, so aligned he was able to figure it out all by himself.  

Leareth kinked on the sense that both of them were getting stronger and that is objectively a lot more reasonable if you think about it -

He reaches out to play with Maitimo's hair. I HAVE AN OATH FOR YOU. 

Of course. 

Telumë wakes up warm and cozy, albeit still hurting in a number of places. He lies still, checking the area with his mage-senses. 

Wards. His wards; he recognizes that pattern. Lots of them. He's underground. There are several people there who feel familiar. 

"Leareth," the voice says. Asks something in a language that sounds like he should understand it, but he doesn't. Tries again, this time in Rethwellani, and a little hesitantly and slowly, like it's a third or fourth language. Which it probably is. "How do you feel now?" 

"Better. Some pain. Thank you for coming quickly." He starts inching into a sitting position. "I am sorry I was slow. How long?" 

"Five months since you died. We were beginning to worry. There were many precautions taken by our enemy. Clever precautions. They - have Prince Nelyafinwë. On their side, somehow. I am not sure how." 

"I know. And I know how." He quickly fills her in on Quendi oaths; it's not something he told his people about before, for obvious reasons, it's exploitable in Velgarth and therefore ought not be too widely known. Well, it's too late now; it's been exploited. 

"Oh. I see." 

"What do you know?" 

"...Vanyel came from Arda," Nayoki says quietly. "There was a ruse with Prince Nelyafinwë - Sauron made it appear that he had escaped, the Tayledras scouts were tricked into 'rescuing' him from the army. And then they somehow determined Vanyel's location, and struck." 

"Oh." Telumë has to take a deep breath before he can go on. "And?" 

"He ought to have died, but - divine intervention, we suspect, the Valdemaran death god. He is with the Tayledras in k'Treva Vale. His Gifts are damaged. I - hoped I might help, but they do not wish to move him. We have information though." 

"Wait. We are allied with the Tayledras in this?" 

"They are Herald Vanyel's friends." She knows that isn't the real question he's asking, though. "...And, I think the Star-Eyed is not aligned with Vkandis Sunlord on this matter. We have also been aiding the Valdemaran resistance." She bows her head. "What is left of it." 

"I heard rumours. In Karse. The kingdom was already lost, it seems." 

"Yes. There are a few survivors. The King's Own Herald, Dara, and the Groveborn, are both here. Queen Karis also." 

"They are both cooperating?" 

"For now. We - have not extended full trust to them. But, I think it is clear the Valdemaran god did not wish this to happen either. I think the Groveborn is as much on our side in this as we could ask. And Karis... Her god has not spoken to her again, it seems. We are still keeping her under guard and separate from the rest, in case He still can, but..." 

"Possession does not normally work that way," Telumë agrees. "Thank you for the news. I will wish to hear more later. Do you have my notes from Arda?" 

"Copies of most of them. Not the most recent year." 

"I understand. Do you have communications with Arda?" 

"Not yet. We have been trying very hard. I understand why you preferred not to give the information to too many others, before, and it did not matter since - Valdemar... And you were not really available for requests, the last five years, and it did not seem urgent..." She trails off.