"You're leaping ahead, insisting we prepare for an something you imagine inevitable... because that's what fits best with your own experience. And because of that, in fearing the worst and nursing your own personal resentment of Thorne, you are ignoring all the evidence against it," Winnifred cautions. She isn't fond of padding her words either.

"Don't misunderstand me, Estinien. We have no fondness for Thorne, and there might be one or two on the Council who would probably enjoy the opportunity to give Ambrose a bloody nose. But let's put the will of the Gods aside, as you weren't raised here and taught to find faith in it, and consider the threat Thorne might pose with a level head. Nothing more than logic.

"For all his meddling and grandiose speeches, has Ambrose shown he has any ability to affect the Singularity, in any way at all? Even by proxy? Did he set the Summoned any task that might indicate he knows how to use them to achieve his goals? And you... you have been to the Horizon yourself. Did going there give you any measure of power it didn't give to everyone else who crossed the border? Did you gain the strength to subjugate the Singularity, or any insight into how it might be controlled? Did you even learn if it can be?"

Winnifred peers at Estinien carefully, as if hoping to see some spark of understanding leap into life there. When she speaks again, her voice is softer, full of patience.

"Even if you had unlocked the secret to controlling the wild power of the Singularity itself. How willing would you be to give that power to me?"