"Compared to Valdemar freeloading on someone else's investment, probably not. Compared to Leareth spending the next five centuries doing something unrelated, yes. Did the information about the new Cataclysm filter its way to you?"

A slow, ponderous nod. :You think Leareth has a way to stop it? And that no one else will stop it if he does not intervene, and his intervention requires something very costly of Valdemar?:

"I'm optimistic that a less costly solution can be found but we can't postpone laying groundwork for the costlier one, it's not something that can be pulled together in the last week when all other avenues prove fruitless."

:Hmm: 

Another long silence. 

:I do not think: Rolan sends, slowly, :that I could give you an answer on this, now, but - I will consider the matter. In the meantime, I suppose I will not cause any more upheaval around here by Choosing, even if I receive a Call which I have not so far: 

"Thank you.

Is there any chance I can convince you it's in Valdemar's best interests for you to be an interpreter for the gods that made you? Talking to them directly as humans has not historically worked well and you'd have a much better shot if you were willing."

Another silence. 

:I am not actually sure that I can talk to Them. The Groveborn have never done this. We receive a Foresight sense of what to do sometimes, that is all: 

"Is there any harm in trying?"

:I am not sure. There are no guidelines on it: 

"You could ask for some."

He blinks at her. :I mean, one would have to ask a god for guidelines, I assume, and asking a god questions is exactly the thing there are not guidelines on: 

"Yes, I acknowledge the bootstrapping problem, but - people do actually ask gods for things all the time. Usually humans do it, but it's a common behavior, and usually what happens is nothing, but if it cost the gods anything to have people trying to communicate with them I think they'd try to discourage the practice."

:Hmm: He doesn't say anything else. 

"It could help a lot, potentially."

:I will consider it: 

"Thank you.

Do you have any questions for me?"

:If you go back to Leareth, what are you intending to do next?:

"...hug him? Resume my research projects."

:It will be a rather unprecedented situation, having a Companion and presumptive Herald-trainee in a foreign realm, engaging in activities that I assume will be unrelated to Valdemar's governance: 

"Yes, I know."

He narrows his eyes at her for a moment, a weirdly human expression. 

:I do not have further questions at this time: he sends finally. 

"Okay. Thank you for meeting with me."

A ponderous, dignified horse-nod. :You are welcome: He hesitates. :I - wished to thank you also. For the scholarship that you plan to offer Dara. It is very generous and kind of you: 

"Oh, I wasn't aware you'd heard. You're welcome."

:Yfandes heard and told me: he clarifies. :The Companions in the herd do still talk to me: 

"That makes sense."