[I have some important limitations, and less finesse from up in space, but probably, yeah. I can let him know - what exactly? That you're going to make a full recovery?]

[I want you to tell him that Vkandis tried to kill me because it would unsummon you]

[And that it almost worked, I guess] 

[Also tell him that I'll make a full recovery]

[And that I won't be a target again, otherwise he might just worry even more] 

[I don't really want to tell him that I am a summoned being.]

[I guess that's fair] 

[He must be so confused about what's going on] 

[By the way, what's that complicated pattern you put on the wall] 

[Did you put it there on purpose to confuse Leareth] 

[You mean the one that looks like this? <image> It's just a joke, honestly, I had no particular reason to expect him to scrutinize the decor. It's code for a very primitive video game, like the ones Jisa has but way earlier in the development of the technology. It's a running cultural joke to put it in stupid places. People knit it just to be silly.]

[Right] 

Vanyel isn't sure what else to say to this, or where else to go with this highly uncomfortable conversation. 

[Thank you] he adds eventually. 

[You're welcome!]

Elsewhere, Herald Jaysen paces on the path just outside the external door to Savil's old Work Room. For - complicated historical reasons - it's the only Work Room in Haven with a door enlarged enough to allow a Companion inside. 

Jaysen is not in a very good mood. 

Neither is the blue-uniformed older man from the Guard, currently parked on a stool inside the Work Room. There was some fierce debate over whether to bring in any furniture, for flammability reasons, but he's fifty and flat-out refused to be on guard duty if he had to sit on the floor. 

Karis is not exactly a difficult prisoner. She sits huddled in a corner, hugging herself as well as she can given her bound hands and feet, forehead resting on her folded knees. 

There's been no further sign of Sola. 

Savil arrives with Keiran and Tran. 

She really, really doesn't want to be here. Either 'here' as in 'questioning Princess Karis about why she just tried to murder Herald-Mage Vanyel', or...here, this physical location. Just behind her old set of rooms. Where - 

- no, she isn't going to finish that thought. 

Keiran glances over, sees Savil's expression, and then takes charge. 

"Jaysen. We're here to question the prisoner." 

"My Companion warned me about that half a candlemark ago! Go ahead." 

Tran has had a Talk with Keiran.

About how he needs to keep his emotions under control and make sure he doesn't abuse the Truth Spell.

(He is kind of confused about this!) 

(...So was Taver. In a different way. Which, honestly, made Tran kind of uncomfortable, though he still isn't sure why.) 

"Princess Karis. We would like to ask you some questions."

Everything hurts. 

She wants to answer.

But she can't. 

Savil looks so incredibly miserable. 

Well, mostly her face is carefully blank. But Jaysen was her student, decades ago, back when he arrived in Haven.

(And then, later, more than a student...) 

Herald Jaysen glances over at her, sends (carefully shielded) reassurance, and then steps forward. 

"King's Own, Herald Tantras. Truth Spell?" 

"Yes. Please go ahead." 

A first-level Truth Spell is easy. 

Jaysen looks back to Tantras and Savil. 

Keiran briefed Savil as well, on what Cam had said about abusing Truth Spell. 

Savil....does not, especially, feel as though she is any better of a candidate, on these terms or on any terms. But Tantras seems to be frozen on the spot, and so apparently this is on her. 

"Princess Karis." 

Goddamnit. 

She remembers the protocols that she memorized, once. 

"Tell me - where are you, and what is my name?" 

Everything hurts so much. 

"Haven, in Valdemar. You are Herald-Mage Savil Ashkevron." 

(The blue halo over her head doesn't falter.) 

Savil wasn't expecting Karis to lie. 

"Yes. Tell me what happened, before you went to Vanyel's chambers." 

I am so sorry. I know how hard this is, but - I think there is something that your Sunlord needs you to do. Now. 

Karis remembers: nodding, gulping, wiping her face. "All right. I am ready. Where?" 

You need to speak with Herald-Mage Vanyel. Follow me. 

Karis swallows hard. "There - was a Suncat. She, she...called herself Sola."