Relos Var gave him a split-second glance before returning his focus to Senera. “What are we going do with our handsome Joratese knight here? Gaesh him?”

Sir Oreth’s eyes widened.

“I suppose,” Senera said. “But for what purpose? He’d get himself killed in a gaesh loop the first time we send him to collect firewood.” She pulled her small inkstone from her misha and began mixing up a small batch of ink.

Brother Qown wouldn’t have found the grinding sound of the ink stick moving against the stone quite so sinister if he hadn’t known she was using a Cornerstone. Using such an artifact as if it were a scribe’s tool seemed sacrilegious.

“You can’t gaesh me!” Sir Oreth protested.

“Be quiet,” Senera said, “or I’ll make you be quiet, and you won’t enjoy how.” She resumed her conversation with Relos Var. “He’d make a nice peace offering to Gadrith?”

Relos Var wrinkled his nose. “I’d rather not. Gadrith prefers sorcerers, anyway.” He tilted his head and looked over at Sir Oreth. “How’s your singing voice?”

“What?” Sir Oreth looked bemused. “I … uh … I’m sorry. I can’t carry a tune. I could try to learn…?”

Senera shuddered. “Oh, and I thought my suggestion was cruel. Relos, you’re the worst.”

Relos Var shrugged. “I don’t know where Sharanakal is sleeping these days, anyway.”

“Shall we make him Duke Kaen’s problem, then?” Senera’s wide eyes personified innocence.

Relos Var started laughing. “Yes, fine. Kaen’s problem. The look on Kaen’s face alone should be worth it. The last thing he wants is another puppy added to his collection.” He finished his drink and stood. “I’m going to take a walk along the beach. I’ll be back in a bit.”

Senera smiled. “Going to say hello to your vané friend?”

Relos Var’s eyes widened. “I have no idea what you might mean.”

“Uh-huh.” Senera wrinkled her nose. “Hug her for me.”

He chuckled. “She’s not a hugger. But I’ll give Her Majesty your regards.”

“Mind if I gaesh Danorak while you’re gone?” Senera asked. She might as well have been asking if he minded her making more tea.

“Go right ahead.”

As soon as Relos Var left, Senera returned to her ink preparation.

Sir Oreth licked his lips, then said, “Colonel?”

Senera looked up, annoyed.

He moved carefully to keep from impaling himself on the still-animate sword. “I, uh … I wanted to apologize.”

Senera set down the inkstone and turned to look at him, both eyebrows raised.

“I’m sorry,” Sir Oreth said. “It was wrong of me to mistreat you. I was in the wrong, and I want to emphasize how sorry I am. Could I please…” He glanced at the sword. “I can be very helpful. I promise.”

Senera’s mouth quirked. “I should use animated swords on men more often.”