Once more, Adelphel smiles, but this time his smile is that of a man with a secret to keep. “I fear I must disappoint you,” he says smoothly, with his lips curved only at the corners. “I am but a simple man of war; I know only my blade and the tales with which I was raised. The scholars within the Ward would be able to answer your question about study, but Sers Noudenet and Haumeric are presently conducting business in the Vault.”

“But your curiosity is rare, for an outsider,” he adds, in a cordial voice. “I give you leave to ask one other question.”