"Before we begin the examination," Tamara said, settling one hand upon the documents before her, "we will confirm whether yesterday's affinity result can be reproduced."
Lucavion's gaze moved from her to Elir and then toward the smaller crystal apparatus that waited beside the observation table. He regarded it for several seconds with the mild interest one might give an acquaintance encountered somewhere unexpected, before the corner of his mouth rose.
"So we are doing that again."
"We are verifying it," Tamara corrected.
"A much more respectable word."
Elir had already moved toward the reinforced case beneath the table. He opened its brass clasps and withdrew a transparent sphere held within a narrow bronze frame, considerably smaller than the great affinity crystals used inside Crystal Hall. Several pale lines slept within the glass, arranged in concentric layers that connected to a squat pedestal through threads of silver metal.
Lucavion looked at it.
