Silas came to Alistair that evening, the way he came when he had something to say.
However, he didn't lead with it.
He sat down first and waited for Alistair to look up.
He walked up to the table while Due was working on the civic appendix and Elara was at the window, and he sat down across from Alistair with the directness of a man who had learned that when he wanted to say something, he should say it before the moment passed.
"Alistair."
Due was quiet for a moment, then continued as Alistair looked at him:
"When we leave the Oasis of Grain, what does it cost me?"
Hearing this, Alistair set down what he had been reading.
He didn't ask Silas to clarify. Silas hadn't come to the table for that. He had come for an answer.
"Tell me what you are asking," said Alistair.
Silas looked at his hands. They were steady. He had decided on the exact words that afternoon.
