“Why, from Magister Facile, of course.” Oblique answered without hesitation, but sadly. “While she lived, she spoke to Apprentice Travail. Until he fell ill—” She caught herself. “Magister Facile must have told you that he was poisoned. We still do not know who bears the blame for that crime.” Then she resumed, “But until he was harmed, he had the gift of hearing her voice at any distance. She told him about you. He repeated her words to Magister Avail. Magister Avail replied, speaking directly to her mind.

“It was an unwieldy process, as you can imagine. But Apprentice Travail is skillful, and Magister Facile knew how to be concise. Their exchanges explained events that might have baffled us otherwise. We are all grieved by her loss. No one is more bereft than Travail.”

In fact, Queen Estie did know how Magister Facile and the Repository had communicated with each other. But Oblique’s answer gave her the opening she wanted. “Then I am confused, Magister,” she admitted. “You imply that you can be aware of events in Belleger without Magister Facile’s aid. How is that possible?”

During Prince Bifalt’s search for the library, there had been occasions when the Magisters had responded instantly. Twice, they had intervened to save his life: feats which distance alone made unimaginable.

This was an easier topic for Magister Oblique. Her tone brightened. “We call them the Farsighted, Queen. Some are Magisters. Most are not. You will know them by their air of inattention. Other images fill their minds.

“Their theurgy enables them to observe places and actions elsewhere. If they know where to look, they can witness a crisis or calamity as it unfolds. At times, they can forewarn us. But first they must know where to look. And their gift is sight, not hearing. They can only interpret what they see by inference.”

“And distance is no obstacle?” asked Estie.

“Queen.” Oblique’s manner suggested a mild reproach. “Every gift is limited. If it were not, the enemy would have discovered our location long ago, and the Repository would no longer exist. Our Farsighted can extend their reach across Amika and Belleger, but no farther.”

Queen Estie was familiar with limits. Her own were acutely painful. Probing, she inquired, “What of Magister Avail?” She needed to understand his reaction to her. “Is he Farsighted?”

That query appeared to amuse Magister Oblique, but she answered it seriously. “He is not, Queen. His inward voice is his gift, and its cost is deafness. In other ways, he knows only what others are able to tell him by touch.”

Estie raised her eyebrows. “He has no Decimate?”

“None.” The sorceress shook her head. “Neither do I. Nor does Magister Marrow. Avail is a Magister because he is necessary. No one else can take his place.”

Curious, the Queen asked, “And Magister Rummage? Is the same true of him? Was he crippled by his talent when it was awakened?”