One week after my meeting with the high sage, the kings, dukes, and barons of the Finger States assembled in Vassa to discuss the high sage's request for assistance. Much to my surprise, Roehl Tharrington agreed to attend, no doubt sent by my father to push the Finger States toward neutrality in the upcoming war between Dunre and Landish.
Roehl still believed that I didn't know about his part in killing Catlett and the others, nor would he find out, not until he had ingested some of the powder hidden in the locket I now wore around my neck. He would come to the gathering a healthy young man. He would leave unable to do anything except blink. He would spend the rest of his life that way and he would know why.