“Isn't this what they intend?” Samah demanded, rounding on Alfred. “I… I suppose it might be,” Alfred faltered, taken aback. “We never really discussed …” His voice peetered out. Samah regarded him thoughtfully, intently. “A most fortunate circumstance, Brother, that you have arrived here accidentally, wakened us at this precise moment.” “I—I'm not certain what you mean, Councillor,” answered Alfred hesitantly, not liking Samah's tone. “Perhaps your arrival wasn't quite by accident?” Alfred wondered suddenly if the Councillor could be referring to some higher power, if there could be One who would dare rely on such an unworthy, inept messenger as the bumbling Sartan. “I—I suppose it might have been …” “You suppose!” Samah leapt on the word. “You suppose this and you suppose that! What do you mean 'suppose'?” Alfred didn't know what he meant. He hadn't known what he was saying, because he'd been trying to figure out what Samah was saying. Alfred could only stutter and stare and look as guilty as if he'd come with the intent of murdering them all.
