They met again in the living room. Despite there being plenty of chairs, Nim chose to sit on the floor at Joanne’s feet. It made Joanne feel a little awkward. Tylan and Sapphire, it seemed, weren’t back yet. Ann and Andy sat cuddled together on the couch. Ann glanced at them a few times but wouldn’t look Jo in the eye. Jo would have to talk to her when she got the chance, let her know she wasn’t going to judge. She glanced down at Nim’s head and ran her fingers through his hair. He leaned into it as if he enjoyed it. She contemplated him and all the things he told her. Had he told her all of it that first night, she probably wouldn’t have gone with him to the wedding. Instead, they talked about trivial stuff, making jokes and the two things they had in common, Ann and Andy. She realized that night she was developing feelings for him and had hated to say no to coming along when Ann invited her to the wedding. When he showed up the day of the wedding, she had been thrilled so she called in a few favors and made sure she could go. Now, she didn’t care about all the differences. She loved him. She had meant it when she said she wanted to be with him for the rest of her life. She understood dragons didn’t marry. That was okay. Humans didn’t always either. He might look human sometimes, but he didn’t act it. Comparing him and Pt’this, she saw what Nim meant when he said Pt’this acted human. Aside from eating that raw steak, Pt’this did seem human, if you didn’t look too closely at his eyes or ears. Ann relayed what Mishtali had told her and showed them a beautiful vial he had given her as proof. It reminded Joanne of the pendant Ann used to wear. “He said he wasn’t the one calling Jo, that someone called Drepal and Carishu was.” “He used Troll?” Pt’this asked. Ann nodded. “He didn’t speak Troll.” “It’s been five hundred years, he might’ve learned a few words,” Joanne said. “On a world without trolls?” Pt’this asked. Jo shrugged. “I’ve seen trolls here.” It had been a little unnerving to see trolls at her cousin’s wedding. She hadn’t realized what they were until later talking with Nim, but even disguised they’d made her uncomfortable. “Nor’than didn’t speak Troll either,” Ann said. “He had an army of trolls but didn’t speak the same language?” Emeton asked in surprise. Ann nodded. “Lyra didn’t make that mistake. Everybody had to speak both Troll and Menthan. No other languages were allowed to be used in Lerjao. “The trolls we saw last time had the diamond eye. That was Lyra’s brand, not Nor’than’s. It may be they were working together. “Mishtali said we could trust John, but a moment later he said the evil one was right. She had said we shouldn’t trust him, Mishtali I mean, not John. “Who’s the evil one?” Joanne asked. “Someone from my time with Lyra. She helped me escape. I still talk to her now and then. Her one redeeming factor is she never lies.” Joanne was going to ask more, but Sapphire and Tylan came in at that time. “… Makes ice, we’ll get some,” Sapphire was saying. Shunati, Pt’this, and Emeton went to them. While everybody was distracted, Nim turned to her. “Don’t ask any more about the evil one.” He whispered. The others returned soon. Sapphire and Tylan both carried large drinks. Pt’this hovered near Sapphire. “I’m fine,” she insisted. “We just got a little hot.” He didn’t listen. “If it’s at all possible, I’d like to speak to her.” Joanne heard Emeton say softly to Ann. She nodded. “Perhaps after dinner.” Pt’this filled Sapphire and Tylan in with what had happened. “Our time was wasted,” Sapphire said. “We learned nothing.” “Except it’s highly likely Mishtali was telling the truth,” Ann said. “If John couldn’t be trusted then surely you would’ve found something out.” Sapphire nodded. Joanne wasn’t sure if she followed that logic. Andy looked at Jo with a familiar expression. He’d remembered something. Then the dots connected for her too. “John’s talked about an old friend from home named Mitch. John said he was basically a prisoner in an assisted living home that this big business mogul Nathan North owns.” “Nathan North?” Tylan frowned. “That could very easily be Nor’than.” “I met Mr. North. He didn’t have an accent.” Andy shook his head. “Neither does John,” Jo pointed out. “But the man who’s calling you does,” Andy argued. “I once heard John use his native accent. If he can switch back and forth, why couldn’t Nor’than? You’ve met Nathan. Tell me he doesn’t seem like he could be up to no good.” “He gave me the creeps. Perhaps tomorrow Ann and I should pay John a visit, see how he reacts to that,” Andy suggested. He looked to Emeton for approval. “I agree, though perhaps the emissary may like to meet our ambassadors,” Emeton said. “I didn’t bring any court dress, and my local dresses are in storage,” Ann told him. “Wear whatever, but wear your signet ring.” He instructed her. Ann nodded. After that, the meeting broke up, and people started going their separate ways. Ann had a look of pain on her face for a moment. She looked at Nim who hadn’t moved. Nim was looking at her. Joanne guessed they were talking telepathically. Then Nim nodded. Emeton witnessed the exchange too. “Nim, I’d like to speak with you privately,” he said. Nim nodded and followed.