[ He leans his weight on one hand. Some doubt lingers in his eyes—not at Stephen, but the situation altogether. He doesn't know if talking to Ambrose—bringing this to attention to anyone in Thorne's court—is the right path. Feels like it has as much chance to backfire as not. But he isn't in Thorne, he hasn't any better ideas, and his awareness of what's happening in the castle is limited. So trusting Stephen to make that call is about all he can do.

The queen, though— ]

I was brought in for a...private talk once. Came away with a nasty scar. [ Good times. Very pleasant. ] As far as I know, she operates outside her council's knowledge and her reach is far. She has a pet mage. Goes by Grigory. He'd cut off his cock if she commanded it.

[ If he hasn't already. Either way—she isn't an option. Not for this. His main concern is whether Ambrose will go straight to the queen. He pauses. Tries to think of who else. ]

There's another mage. Red hair, green eyes. I don't know her name, but I do know whatever she learns, she's unlikely to go to the queen. The question is if she knows anything at all.

[ He has no idea who she is, what title she holds. It must be of some rank, for her to have walked into the dungeons without being stopped, but there's a difference between going into the cells unhindered and having access to the kingdom's highest secrets. He'd never asked much that night when she set him free. Other things on hold mind. But those are Stephen's options: Ambrose or the unnamed mage. Jolene, if Stephen were to identify her through another. ]