“If you could try not to act surprised … ” he murmured in Zashian.
“Of course,” Damiskos replied automatically.
He took a swallow of wine, trying to think what a man who wasn’t surprised to have Varazda sit down at his feet would do. He had no idea.
They were seated at a slight remove from the rest of the party, and one or two of the students had cast them curious looks, but no one said anything to Damiskos. Varazda folded his hands in his lap and looked at the ground.
Nione arrived and was listlessly polite to the newcomers. She gave Damiskos a strange look and did not speak to him.
“When you offered to help,” said Varazda in a low voice, still speaking Zashian.
“Yes. Anything. What can I do?”
“You can corroborate the story I’ve recently told our host.”
“Yes, of course. What have
