"Hmm." 

"He gave me their usual terms, if you wish to hear them - the pharaoh is willing to sign something if you find that reassuring. Said his reassurance here comes from elsewhere." 

"I see. Sensible man. Well, do read it to me - it is a little informative what was offered at all, even if actually doing it the diplomatic way seems likely to add hassle without much returns in safety." 

Leareth does so. 

Malduoni thinks in silence for a minute or so. 

"I will come. Tonight or early tomorrow morning are both convenient enough. Though I do have a request to make, first." And he hesitates; whatever it is, it seems to take noticeable effort to say. "I know that Abadar must know who - was responsible. I would like the pharaoh - or you, but if one of you is going to be debilitated afterward I would honestly prefer it be him - to ask Him, and tell me." A barely noticeable sigh. "His refusal to answer a direct question would also be informative, though I am not sure of what." 

"I understand. I will ask him. Gate to your office when we are ready here?" 

"That will do. I would appreciate five minutes' warning, though." 

"Of course." Leareth has no intention of doing unexpected magic in Malduoni's vicinity. He knows how he would react. 

"Is that all for now." 

"I believe so. I will be in touch." 

Sigh. Now he needs to go bother Khemet his pharaohiness "Ruby Prince Khemet III" again before he can move on to the conversation with Vanyel. He feels bad about contributing to the pharaoh's headaches, knowing what it's like now, but at least the pharaoh won't be sleep-deprived over it. 

The pharaoh can see him again, and tell him to sit comfortably. "You spoke with Malduoni?"

"I did. He is content to have me Gate him here; he said tonight or tomorrow morning would suit him equally well, so whichever is most convenient for you. He does not feel it is necessary to use the standard diplomatic process here though he appreciated your bringing it up. He also has a request." 

"Oh?"

"I understand this is an inconvenient ask, but - he wishes you to speak to Abadar again and do your best to find out who betrayed him. Not what you already told me - he means earlier. Who caused his plan to fail in the first place." 

Nod. 

"In that case it'll be tomorrow morning. For the resurrection."

"That makes sense. And, thank you. Perhaps he does not understand the cost of this request to you, but - I do," as of very recently, "and I appreciate your willingness." 

"I bet he tried to talk to the gods sometimes, way back when. I guess maybe he doesn't remember that." Shrug. "I'll do that. And I'll have someone show you a good room for it, tomorrow morning."

"Thank you. I suppose that means I am free to spend the rest of today finding out if Vanyel can make diamonds." 

"Best of luck to both of you."

Leareth nods, and this time does not forget to wait until the pharaoh actually dismisses him. 

The pharaoh dismisses him!

Probably it'll stop being so much mental overhead to follow the protocols when he's practiced it more and also isn't sleep deprived. (He's even more impaired from it than he would expect; maybe lying awake most of the night with a headache is worse than sitting up hugging Vanyel.) 

He finds Vanyel and mentions that he has the new spell. They should do it in one of the Work Rooms again and have a cleric standing by just in case this one just makes a bigger explosion. 

A cleric can be found to stand by in case of explosions. One with an adventuring background so the explosions are unlikely to inconvenience him.

Vanyel gamely tries it again, this time wearing one of Leareth's extra shield-talismans as well. 

...This spell is a lot more power-drain. He can sustain it, grabbing node-energy, but he's for sure going to have mild backlash if this keeps up.

It doesn't explode, though, just keeps crushing and pressurizing his black carbon until surely something has to have happened in there...

Leareth watches. "Keep going - a little more..." 

"...All right, that is probably enough. If it has not worked by now it is not going to."