“Little,” the Patron said. “We have a piece from the Book of Miracles that’s very similar to your Book of Oma. We found some older historical pieces, but they all dated back just eight hundred years. What we need is far older.”

“You realize,” Dasai said, “that finding a two thousand year-old text telling us how the invaders come through, and how to stop them, is highly unlikely.”

“Of course,” the Patron said. “But if there was ever a time for miracles, this is that time.”

The servants took away the still nearly-full trays. Then they brought out the watered wine and liquor. They placed four different types of glasses in front of Roh. One short and round, one tall and slender, one tall and fat, and one goblet with a long stem. Roh waited to see what the Patron did, but thankfully, the servants poured them each drinks into what Roh presumed was the correct glass.

Roh tried the amber liquid in the goblet first. Two sips, and it already made his head fuzzy. He saw Dasai watching him closely.

“If all goes as it has, we should be able to last the winter here before they assault our position,” the Patron said. “You’ll have until then to find some record of how to stop these people. It’s been done before, when the Dorinah insect-witches were turned back. They nearly spawned their way across this continent during the same rising that swept us here. It was the Dhai who were turned away that time.”

“We’re better at dancing than fighting now,” Roh said, and then covered his mouth. Perhaps he was a little drunk.

“Yes, let’s speak of happier things,” the Patron said. “Do you dance the three genders?” the Patron asked.

“Our five and your three,” Roh said. “Yes, I dance them. I was one of Ora Ohanni’s best dancing students.”

“I have a party of dancers in residence,” the Patron said. “There is a particular piece that requires six female roles, and only four of my dancers are comfortable with those steps. They are mostly variations of kanik and morasha forms, with some vonov, which is much more fluid. Difficult to learn but satisfying.”

“Oh, I know those! They’re–” Roh began.

“I do not want this project to interfere with your work, Ora Dasai,” the Patron said, speaking over Roh. “Three hours in the mornings, perhaps. The performance is the day of Para’s Ascendance. After that, she begins her descent from this world once again. We will begin to feel her presence less and less with each passing day.”

“I’m certain it will not impact his work,” Dasai said. “I only hope he can bring you pleasure.”