19

"With your powers, you can likely make people believe you're the usual sort of mage, if they don't see through your spells," Verity said. "That'll fit the old stories much better: a great mage to defeat me. And of course both of you are welcome. We've heard you're quite skilled, Letha, and we could use a more convincing warrior than Alvis if we mean to do this right." Alvis smirked and made no objection.

"And if we don't help you," Letha said as she paced back and forth, "you'll send us back to Elith to die."

"Well…it wasn't meant to be like that." Verity looked genuinely abashed, as much as you could tell in the dim moonlight. "We set out intending just to make you an offer. We, ah, didn't expect you to murder someone before we got here. But on that subject, I expect saving the world would earn you a pardon."

"He was plotting to tear open the portal," Letha muttered. "I know he was."

Instead of answering, Verity glanced up at Alvis. "Fascinating," he said. "We can use that." He turned to you. "You're allowed to ask questions, you know. We'd be surprised if you didn't."