“Let them eat some more first,” Vena says, protesting that part without contesting that Lashan made her. Aren shakes their head, holds up a finger, finishes chewing and washes the bite down with a swallow from their tankard of small beer.

“Point of fact, I gave Kai to Vena and Vena gave him to you.” Even now their voice is kept quiet. It’s easy to miss a word or phrase if he isn’t paying attention. Vena grins sheepishly. “But I wasn’t surprised. Sister Lashan is… she is a good judge of character. When she chooses an apprentice she always picks someone discerning and intelligent.”

Seeing Vena puff up, they add, “As well as difficult and contrary.”

“I’m not contrary,” Vena protests instantly.

Aren hasn’t quite answered the question as it was meant.