"Perhaps if you could frame your inquiries as a political knot of riddles for him to unravel, the like of which would occupy him for bells on end, you might befuddle him into lowering his defenses."

Bells of blessed silence, at that. Should Alphinaud chance to come through the room in the next few moments, Krile will count herself blessed by fortune for the easy ammunition.

"Most students in their first year at the Studium have an inflated view of themselves. Alphinaud's age only amplified it, difficult as that may be to believe."