"It was short, and parallel to the spoken conversation. He asked me if I was there on heptarch's orders, and wanted to know my era of origin. I told him, and mentioned 'hexarchs' just before the Rahal did so." A nod to Sulen, with respect. "It could barely have gone better."

"Ah- and he mentioned that his co-conspirator is Nirai."

"In the last - there." She gestures at the screen "He said, 'my life is in your hands.' I took it as surrender."

How she wants to show emotion at that. Instead, she focuses on the subtle differences between his sign language and hers, shown clearly by Cantata's expert surveillance.

With Ione's revelation of- what sort of ability is that, anyway? Certainly nothing she's heard of- it seems even feeling strongly may be dangerous.