“Well, there have been other instances around the desert. Close by, it’s only been brief, isolated instances. Up north it looks like the problem is much worse. Enough that the oases connected to the astral space were no longer able to support all the nomad tribes.”

“Something is going on with the astral space?” Jason asked.

“That’s what we’re going to find out,” Rufus said, picking up the narrative. “We’re going to relocate the Ustei back to the north, enter into one of the apertures and investigate the astral space.”

“That doesn’t sound like a small expedition,” Jason said.

“It isn't,” Rufus said. “It's massive. Danielle Geller is leading it, along with a handful of other silver rankers. Dozens of bronze-rankers, hundreds of iron. People who haven't been on a contract in years. The chance to explore the desert astral space, under the watchful protection of silver rankers? The city's most prominent families are falling over themselves to be involved.”

“I can imagine,” Jason said. “Why am I getting a sense of hesitation from you all?”

The others looked at each other, all shaking their heads. Finally, Gary groaned capitulation.

“You don’t get to go,” Gary said. “This isn’t just a matter of you not being invited; you were specifically excluded. Which is a load of crap, if you ask me.”

“Specifically excluded?” Jason said, his voice ramping up.

The others braced for an explosion, but Jason let out a long, calming breath, instead.

“I guess I can see that,” he said.

“You can?” Rufus asked, looking at Jason like he was a grenade that unexpectedly didn’t explode.

“Look, it's no secret that I can be contentious when it comes to the upper classes. I’ve caused problems before. And I’ve been rising very high and very fast, socially, for someone with no background. I’m guessing this is a test. If I show that I can take this quietly, miss an opportunity without kicking up a stink, then I pass.”

Jason turned his attention back to his meal as the others stared at him in silence.

“What?” he asked them.

“We kind of thought you’d have a bigger reaction,” Farrah said.

“Making a noise in the face of authority is kind of a thing for you,” Gary said.

“Yes, but I’m coming to realise it doesn’t get me anywhere. The snake slithering across the lawn gets shot. The one waiting for the toddler to wander near the tall grass gets fed.”

“That’s a horrifying analogy but a welcomed, measured response,” Rufus said. “We might make a decent adventurer out of you yet.”

Jason frowned.

“Sometimes I wonder about that,” he said, his voice heavy. “I need your advice on how to handle something.”

“Of course,” Rufus said.

They waited for Jason to speak. His uncharacteristic hesitation was concerning.

“I killed five adventurers today,” Jason said.

“What?” Gary asked immediately.