Alison sternly addresses Lutz, “Liutbald, even if your empathy was stolen with all your other emotions, logically you should know Ryybyn is a pathomage and their emotional vitality powers their spellcasting. Blame is not helpful.”

Alison turns to Ryybyn, still stern but with more sympathy. “Ryybyn, your scar is very similar, you must both had ideas removed by their sword, but we need to know what else it can do. I know it must hurt, but please, think deep, if you can remember anything about it.”

Ryybyn closes their teary eyes to remember, but they get is another flash of, “you should have listened!” They turn away from Alison and say, “I… I can’t. I’m sorry. I don’t remember much from when I lost my voice.”

Alison says, “I hate to suggest this, but there’s much more at stake now…”