Brice sat again, slowly. “And if that were the case, Venette, do you think I’d not know it? Do you think I’d stand idly by while the power of this Council was so blatantly misused?”

And now, it seemed, he was calling her bluff. Daring her to openly accuse him of negligence or worse. She wouldn’t, of course. It was enough that she’d reminded him not to underestimate her.

“Of course not, Brice,” she said, conciliatory. “I am sorry if my concerns gave you that impression.”

Brice accepted the apology with an ice-edged smile. “As it happens, Venette, I’ve examined Morgan’s submitted incants and I agree with both you and Shari. While his attention to detail isn’t what it might be, Morgan is without doubt an exceptional mage. But he needs tempering. He needs to slow down. It will do him no harm to cool his heels for a time, and learn to exercise restraint of his ambition.”

As Sallis and Shari muttered their passionate agreement, Venette could not bring herself to argue Brice’s point. Hadn’t she said the same thing to Morgan herself, more than once? And didn’t she despair, sometimes, that he’d never heed her sage advice?

I just wish I could believe the same sentiments drove Sallis and Shari.

But if she started another squabble she’d put herself at outs with Brice, and that would be a stupid thing to do.

“No, my lord,” she said, accepting temporary defeat. “I doubt it will do him any harm at all.”

“I’m flattered you agree,” said Brice. “And I charge all of you not to repeat this conversation, most especially to Morgan. Now then, Lord Arkley, might we at last touch upon the matter that brings us here?”

“Two matters,” said Sallis, his self-impressed expression sobering. “Firstly, I would draw this Council’s attention to a tempest brewing in the College.”

Venette looked down her nose at him. While she might tread warily with Brice, Sallis Arkley gave her no pause at all. “It’s Voln Hahren’s job to oversee the College. Is this another matter he feels unable to address without running to us for advice? Perhaps we should be looking for a more confident mage to take his place.”

Sallis looked at Brice, as though they were comfortably alone. “I believe Hahren is unaware of the problem. I was approached directly, by a friend. It’s a delicate business. Handled clumsily, I fear there could be unfortunate repercussions.”

“And does your troubled friend have a name, Sallis?” said Brice. “Or do you expect us to guess whose cause we are expected to champion?”

Sallow cheeks staining red, Sallis cleared his throat. “Nevin Jordane.”

“Ah.” Brice’s fingernails tap-tap-tapped on the table as he contemplated the rain running down the chamber’s windows. “So in truth we are speaking of his daughter. Yes?”