"Weren't the Menethal allied with your people?" Sarenathan asked. Aliyenthiel shrugged. "Six months ago, yes. Now, who knows? You can't trust anything not hand-delivered. That's why the Anvirin started using allochthene messengers." Sarenathan scowled. "I don't think we should be relying on outsiders." "At least their messages get through without interference!" And in the Great Library, Inric jerks awake and sits up hurriedly, heart pounding. He had known about the recruitment of allochthenes, even if he'd forgotten in the years between. The library is dim and cool, and Copper is next to him; he rests a hand on the bookwyrm's head for comfort and leans his own head against the bookshelves, and sighs.