"Um, Ms. Grimota has asked if you would like some tea," Nem Koel said. She had evidently decided that since their host was dressed as a woman, she would refer to her as such, and Suthe decided to do so as well. "She apologizes for taking us away from the traditional meal, but today's intermission was the only time she had available to see us."

Irikri gestured invitingly to the tea set on the table as Nem Koel translated, the actor's movements welcoming and graceful.

"Yes—tea would be great, thank you," Suthe said, though when she was handed a cup, she barely took a sip. Could Irikri see her hands shaking? Maybe it would be better if she set the cup down.

Out of the corner of her eye, Suthe noticed Saer Lon give her a brief disapproving look.

Irikri spoke again, but instead of Nem Koel translating immediately, Saer Lon answered the question. Hoping for a clue, Suthe studied their host for a reaction, but Irikri merely listened, her gaze cast downwards as she casually poured another cup of tea.

"Saer Lon's explaining how you came to be referred to us," Nem Koel muttered before taking a sip from her own cup. At Suthe's blank stare, she continued, "Y'know...Uhi?"

Suthe sucked in a breath.

"Right, right." Though she had just set down her tea, Suthe picked it up again and took a sip to clear her head, only to nearly spit it out as she took too big of a gulp and burned her tongue. Nem Koel certainly noticed her blunder, and perhaps the attendant behind Irikri also sent a questioning gaze in her direction. But Saer Lon and Irikri, at least, still seemed to be focused on their conversation.

Suthe firmly set the cup back down, staring hard at the table. Definitely no more tea, then.

A nudge at her side had her looking back up. Saer Lon and Irikri had finished talking, and now all eyes were on her.

"Irikri would like to know what you're looking for," Nem Koel whispered.

"Ah, okay." Suthe fought to keep her expression relaxed while her mind raced. So much had happened since the previous night, and she needed to be sure she had the story straight. "There's a ring that's been in my family for generations, since before the Pretian Split."

She paused as Nem Koel began to translate.

"I believe it's been stolen, by someone who saw the value of a Pretian antique and wished to make a profit," she continued. "I figured the best course of action was to find an expert in Pretian designs and rare stones, and see if they had heard of anything like my ring being sold in the smuggler's market."

Irikri made a remark, and Suthe turned to Nem Koel.

"She asked what the ring looks like."

"It's silver, with dragons on either side of a blue stone." Suthe tried to pretend she wasn't bothered by Irikri's piercing stare. The actor's eyes never deviated to Nem Koel once the entire time she translated.

"Uh..." Nem Koel hesitated at Irikri's next words. "She'd like to know what kind of blue stone."

Suthe froze. What kind of blue stone? They had never gone over that in their preparations. She hadn't known there was more than one – how many different kinds were there? Should she just say it looked like the ones on the clockwork soldier boxes, or was that too obvious? What kind of blue stone would be most likely chosen for a legendary pair of undefeatable swords?

"Namija?" Nem Koel asked, a sure sign that Suthe was taking too long in answering. "Um, you mentioned the stone before, right?"

All the while, Irikri was silently staring at Suthe, her eyes as bright as the jewels in her hair. Did she know it was all a lie?

Suthe straighted. She had to try something.

"To tell the truth, I'm not familiar with the kind of stone," she said. "All I know is that it's blue. It was stolen several years ago and when it was still in my mother's possession. As it had not yet been passed on to me, I was unfamiliar with all of its exact qualities."

Nem Koel seemed relieved that Suthe had given an answer, but Saer Lon's frown only deepened as Nem Koel converted Suthe's answer to Shun Dwo.

"Hmm." This response from Irikri, at least, needed no translation. The actor thought for a moment, then shook her head, finaly breaking her gaze on Suthe to turn back and mutter something to her attendant.

This isn't how it's supposed to go, Suthe thought, casting a worried gaze towards the balcony, where the sounds of the audience could be heard below. Clinking porcelain and the smell of roasted vegetables drifted up to their box—the food had been served, and the play would start again soon.

"She says there's no item for sale that fits the description of your ring," Nem Koel said, her wicker seat creaking in the silence of a pause before she added, "Not now, and not any time in the past several months."

Suthe gritted her teeth. She wasn't going to give up this easily. They had been chasing after a clue for these stupid swords for too long. She wanted to go home, and she refused to accept this meeting as a failure.

But what could she say? To find how the swords were dismantled in order to be hidden, Ulsper had told her, they needed the records from the royal mines. What if they were going about this the wrong way?

Like an uneven loaf of bread, maybe she just needed to reshape their plan a little.

"I figured as much," Suthe said, feigning regret. "Which is why I'm actually not that invested in getting it back." She leaned back in the wicker chair and raised her eyes to the dark paneled ceiling, hoping Irikri couldn't see through her calm façade. "Because the ring was only ever in my mother's possession, my description of it is vague at best and I assumed it wouldn't be much help in tracking it down. It's also been missing for five years, and I imagine if someone had stolen it, they would have sold it long ago."

"Namija..." Nem Koel began. Her gaze flickered uncertainly between Suthe and the expectant expressions of the other three individuals in the room, waiting for her to interpret.

"Tell them what I said."

"It doesn't—"

"Do it," Suthe interrupted, locking eyes with the other girl, urging her to do as requested. Hesitantly, Nem Koel relayed Suthe's words.

"So you see," Suthe continued once Nem Koel turned back, "I understand that my chances of finding the ring are very unlikely. Rather, my idea is to re-create it."

Nem Koel's eyes widened, but she had to keep playing the part of the neutral interpreter. With a last glance at Suthe, and a what are you doing expression so strong that Suthe imagined she could almost hear the unspoken question, Nem Koel turned back and spoke the Shun Dwo equivalent of Suthe's words to their host.

Beyond the balcony, the chatter of the audience and clinking of silverware had softened. They were running out of time before the next act started.

Nem Koel leaned back to Suthe to convey Irikri's response. The actor seemed bored, if not slightly annoyed, and Suthe worried that she thought this meeting was a waste of time.

"Irikri says there are plenty of silversmiths in the country to choose from," Nem Koel replied, unable to keep a disappointed sigh from escaping after the words. As Nem Koel spoke, Suthe noticed, Irikri was placing her hands on the armrests of her chair and leaning forward, about to stand up and dismiss them.

"That's not why I'm here!"

Suthe had a sudden impulse to rise to her feet, hoping it would convey her earnestness. Back home in Crestdune, those who debated in Speaker's Circle would always stand when talking, to make sure they had their audience's attention. If there was anyway it could help here, too, Suthe was willing to give it a try.

Unfortunately, it seemed to have the opposite effect. Startled at her unexpected movement, the attendant behind Irikri rushed forward, pulling out a hidden dagger. In response, Saer Lon also jumped to her feet, a pistol in her hands and aimed at the attendant before Suthe could take a breath. Only Nem Koel and Irikri remained seated, the latter looking far more calm than the former, who was hissing at Suthe to sit back down.

Suthe raised her hands, but didn't take a seat. Sweat was starting to trickle down the back of her neck, and she prayed that Irikri couldn't see it. She couldn't seem weak here.

After a moment, Irikri took her hands off the armrests and leaned back in her chair, motioning for her attendant to take a step back and for Suthe to continue.

"If I wanted a pretty silver ring, of course I would have just gone anywhere to have a new one made," Suthe said once the attendant's dagger had lowered, hoping that any visible shaking on her part would be seen as frustration and not nerves. "But then it wouldn't be a Pretian ring."

She resisted the urge to begin pacing, her thoughts racing as she took care to choose her next words. "I need someone who knows the old designs. Since even the more recent Lanfu style is going out of fashion nowadays, how can I be sure that a Pretian ring I commission would be authentic?"

She took a breath, mustering up enough courage to meet Irikri's gaze directly. "I need someone who has extensive knowledge of the older styles. Preferably someone who has had direct experience with the royal mines. As you know, since the new king took power and shut down the royal mines, it's nearly impossible to find anyone who will admit they were even remotely associated with them. The newer mines that are operating nowadays don't have the knowledge. That's why I need your help."

Nem Koel was doing her best to translate Suthe's sudden rush of words, but finally cut in with a "Hold on a moment!" in Montese before continuing in Shun Dwo, tripping over a few of her senences in her haste to explain everything to their host. Suthe waited for a few breaths, reluctant to wait for too long unless she lost her nerve. Already, she could feel the tremors in her hands getting worse. It wouldn't do to disappear here.

Breathe.

As Nem Koel continued to interpret, Irikri reached out and patted her attendant's hand, a gentle sign for him to put away his weapon. Hesitantly, he did so, and Suthe was relieved to see that Saer Lon also relaxed, returning her pistol to its spot inside her cloak, though remaining standing even as the attendant resumed his place behind Irikri's chair.

"So what I'm really asking for," Suthe continued, slower this time, "is to be introduced to someone who is exceedingly knowledgeable about Pretian artifacts and designs. Someone who can help me piece together an authentic replica of my ring based on traditional records from the royal mines during the Pretian Era."

Nem Koel finished interpreting, and a silence lingered afterwards, both from Irikri and the audience below the balcony.

Irikri's next comment finally came just as the audience began to applaud and a starting drumbeat was heard from the direction of the stage. Nem Koel translated.

"Where exactly are you from?"

Another drumbeat.

"Isendorn."

"And you have money to pay for this replica of your lost ring?" Irikri's eyes drilled into her.

"I do." She didn't, but if she got desperate, Suthe figured it might be worth trying to transport herself into a bank and 'borrow' some money to see this plan through.

Irikri steepled her fingers. "What did Uhi say to you about this plan? Why did he send you to me?"

Suthe heard Nem Koel's sharp intake of breath before she translated this final question from Irikri. Suthe had to be careful here. She had only 'met' Uhi while hiding behind a pillar in the middle of the night, drunk on scorpion wine. He had seemed in a bad mood then, but who knew if that was what he was always like?

"He thought I should see you first," Suthe said. "Just in case you had heard of my ring being sold recently. But if not, you would know who to refer me to."

Irikri raised an eyebrow after she heard Suthe's response translated back to her.

"I would?"

Suthe pressed her tongue against the back of her teeth, willing herself to stay silent. The name Ulsper had told her, Enji, was right on her lips, ready to be spoken. But Nem Koel and Saer Lon had repeatedly reminded her that names in the network weren't given out freely. If Suthe knew the name, it would cause suspicion.

Nem Koel translated as Irikri spoke again. "Where are you staying in Sang Bur?"

"Moonwater Inn, near the fish market." Suddenly worrying that the cheap inn would be suspicious for someone of 'Namija's' character, Suthe hurried with an explanation. "I, uh, didn't want to waste my funds on unnecessary travel expenses, so it's a bit lower in quality than my usual standards."

As Nem Koel began to translate, Suthe thought over their conversation. Had she missed anything?

Nem Koel cleared her throat. "Um, Irikri says she'll contact you if she has any updates. We're welcome to leave now."

Suthe inclined her head, a sign of thanks in her country, and, she hoped, here in Andilir as well.

The attendant led the way, opening the door to let Saer Lon, Suthe, and Nem Koel file out the door.

"Oh!" Suthe stopped in the doorway, causing Nem Koel to bump into her.

"What now?" Nem Koel muttered, rubbing her nose.

Suthe ignored her, instead looking back at Irikri. "If you think I'm just going to sit around at that dump of an inn and wait for a response, you'll need to reconsider." She held up her thumb and index finger. "Two days. Then I'm leaving, and not wasting any more time and money roaming about Andilir to look for a competent silversmith."

With that, she flounced out of the theater box and down the hall after Saer Lon, in the manner she imagined a rich noble from Isendorn would have. Just before she reached the stairs, a pattering of feet behind her told of Nem Koel's hurry to catch up after interpreting those final words.

"What was that for?" Nem Koel hissed as they began their circular descent.

"She and Uhi have been in contact," Suthe replied, gripping the railing for support as she looked back. "We can't let them find out that I'm not the same person Uhi talked to in Fai."

In front of her, Saer Lon was muttering in what sounded like a rant. As soon as they reached the landing, before Suthe could ask Nem Koel for a translation, Saer Lon grabbed Suthe by the arm and towed her outside the theater.

"Hey!" Suthe winced as Saer Lon shoved her against the cold white wall of the building and began talking, pointing a finger in her face. Above, one of the banners between two of the theater's red pillars had come loose on one side, and was flapping precariously in the breeze to show glimpses of the cloudy sky above.

"Baingta am lok, int'me an yeru—"

"Nem Koel, what's she saying?" Suthe asked as the other girl caught up, worriedly looking between Saer Lon and Suthe.

"She says it was foolish of you to, uh, what's the word—improvise? Yeah, yeah improvise, on the story..."

Nem Koel's Andilirish accent worsened, a mix of nervousness at Saer Lon's temper and the rapid speed at which she spoke making it difficult for the girl to translate the message into Montese.

"They have ways to make you disappear if they think you're suspicious and dangerous enough, you may have gotten fortitude—no, that's not it—fortunate, this time, but if you ever try it again you're on your own, no matter if you're Ulsper's friend. You're already dangerous enough to us because of who you are."

Saer Lon finally stopped talking, but remained glaring at Suthe, waiting for a response.

Any elation Suthe had felt at successfully navigating the conversation with Irikri earlier had vanished. She nodded, soon looking down at her feet as she felt tears beginning to prick at her eyes. Saer Lon was right. She had let desperation overcome caution, and while she may have been able to transport herself out of danger, Nem Koel and Saer Lon could not, and were risking a lot for her sake. And Ulsper, wherever he was, had also endangered his well-being to try to get her home too. Suthe only hoped that he was still okay, despite his sudden disappearance.

"Come on," Nem Koel said, gently taking Suthe's elbow and giving it a reassuring pat. "If you want, we could go back inside to watch the rest of the play? Or just go back to the inn?" Her voice was gentle, but Suthe was thankful she didn't point out her fragile state.

"The inn," Suthe managed, and Nem Koel immediately began to lead her towards the theater steps. Of course, Suthe didn't really want to go to the inn. It wasn't home, but it was the closest thing she had at the moment. It would have to do.