Evendur's face returned to its passive, wooden state as Orel's questions settled into the core of his mind. He couldn't deny it; he deeply wanted the answers to both—the the location of his son and state of mind, but he knew Orel too well. There was no way the man would offer such forbidden knowledge without demanding something in return.
"There is no need, Orel. My spies will tell me what I want to hear soon enough," he replied with practiced unconcern.
Orel merely chuckled, the sound light but carrying a weight that made the air in the room feel thin. He rose to his feet, smoothing out his robes.
"I don't ask for favors every time I offer a gift, Evendur. I'm sure you remember that. But then again," he sighed, offering a nonchalant shrug as he turned toward the window. "If your spies are capable of telling you that your son now cultivates two distinct energies simultaneously... then I suppose you really don't need my help."
