The Better To See You With

Sam was more afraid than Jigano had seen him in awhile, and the bard bit back his quick retort, letting the bookmaker have his say. He stayed still in the snow, not moving until his friend was ready - which, it seemed, wouldn't be for awhile. When Sam brandished the charm back in his face as though it were a threat - or a weapon - the lorekeeper finally sighed, shoulders sagging. "And from the records in the Atheneum, both the quality and quantity of harvests from the farms have been steadily declining over the years. But do you really think I haven't spoken to any other naturals?" he asked gently. "There were naturals as well as outlanders at the meeting, from what I heard. Ones who support this attempt as much as we strangers do. And I do not think them stupid any more than I think you are. But yours is not the only opinion here, Sam, and you don't speak for all naturals anymore than I speak for all outlanders."

He took a breath, straightening as he looked at the bookmaker, considering how afraid Sam was of losing the friends who had only recently come into his life. "Outside the barrier," he said quietly, "Is life, according to Remi. He has... a mask. From Ludo. He put it on when they were investigating the barrier with magic, and saw the outside world. He thought it worth the attempt. If you will not trust me, will you at least trust him?" A strange argument to be making, he acknowledged with internal dark humor, but if it helped to reassure Sam, he would swallow his pride and do so.