Hodei's study was a small and busy tent. It was crammed with desks, shelves and chairs that had been arranged, not to fit any conventional order, but to suit a very specific set of needs. It was awash with sheets of parchment and scrolls which were piled onto shelves or lying loose across the desks. It was clear to Lile that Hodei lived and worked alone and had little concern for the comfort of others.
Lile's eyes were quickly drawn from the domestic chaos to the few chairs scattered around it. It was the first time that Lile had seen a chair here at the encampment as the Basamortans seemed to favour cushions and low tables. Hodei offered her one at a desk and in front of an arrangement of parchment. On the centre sheet was a series of paired scribbles. Letters. Another sheet was covered
