"What should we do?" Halveth asked.
Lexel laughed. Not the polite laugh of someone acknowledging a question — the genuine laugh of someone who finds the answer obvious and is enjoying the obviousness of it.
"We make a visit," he said.
Halveth looked at him. Then at the letter. Then back at Lexel with the expression of someone who had asked the question expecting a debate and had received instead a man who found the palace summons the most straightforward item on the morning's agenda.
Cresty was already standing. "I can't go."
Everyone looked at her.
"Emperor's Eye," she said, with the efficient brevity of someone who has two obligations and has already determined which one takes priority. "Immediate summons. The headquarters has been watching since we arrived and they want a report." She looked at Lexel. "I'll find you after."
Lexel nodded. "Don't tell them about the crater."
