“You’ve come closer than most,” said Danny.

“Only a few centuries from two thousand years,” said Wad. “That’s still a long way from forever.”

“Like I said, closer than most.”

Wad shook his head. “I would risk my life to learn it, but you won’t risk killing me to teach it. I understand the choice. For now. And I thank you for warning me.”

“I’d rather not kill Hermia,” said Danny.

“We differ on that,” said Wad. “But since neither of us knows how to kill her, and neither of us wants to see what Set would do after she died, we will both do nothing for now. Am I right?”

“Not nothing,” said Danny. “Just … nothing about Hermia.”

“And I won’t do nothing, either,” said Wad. “I’m going to make sure Hermia can’t bring her dragons to Westil.”

“Helicopters. My parents’ augmented versions. In Mittlegard, they give one side an advantage. Not an overwhelming one, but not trivial. Here, though, they’re unstoppable.”

“I’m not sure,” said Wad. “The explosions are impressive. And dangerous. But how well could a flying ship do against a tornado raised by a Galebreath?”

“Is that what Ced turned out to be?”

“Maybe a Tempester. His teacher isn’t sure, and I’m not surprised, since he’s a treemage.”

“Whatever you do to the helicopters and tanks and whatever else Hermia and my parents decide to bring, please remember that the pilots and crews are drowthers who volunteered for a war to defend an ally from attack. They don’t know anything about what’s happening here. They do know that my parents have terrifying power. So they obey. But they don’t deserve to be killed for it.”

“They’re soldiers,” said Wad. “I’m trying to decipher your moral quibble.”

“They didn’t choose to fire their weapons against Westilians armed with spears or arrows,” said Danny.

“Nor against mages armed with wind or sand or whatever else I’m able to raise against them?”

“All I’m asking is that you gate them back to Mittlegard, or gate the men out of the choppers before you put them into a mountain or deep in the ocean.”

“I hear your request,” said Wad, “and I admire your virtue. But I’m not going to make a Great Gate, so I can’t send them back to Mittlegard.”

“Then put them somewhere harmless here, and I’ll come fetch them back,” said Danny.

“I will if I can. But wherever I put them, Hermia will find them.”

“Put them in the middle of a windstorm so severe that even my parents can’t make them fly. Or a sandstorm that disables the tanks. Or whatever.”

“So much trouble to protect the lives of soldiers who signed on to risk their lives.”

“Soldiers being coerced into the wrong war,” said Danny. “This isn’t a quibble. Don’t make me go to war on their side.”

Wad shook his head. “Danny. Can’t you tell when someone is agreeing with you?”