“Well, mostly I just got permission to be various places, and then I listened to the people there, how they explained themselves, what they cared about, whether there were matters where they were obviously lying. I figured if Tar-Baphon had compromised the Crusade all the best people would end up dead, and all the worst in power, and if it's run by angels like they say, then the opposite, maybe."

“You listened to the lady knight's conversation, on the occasion when she had a letter from her family?”

“I’ve listened to the Knight-Commander Iomedae's conversations dozens of times, sir. I said something that time because I was worried the letter was a security risk.”

“A security risk to the lady knight?"

“Yes, and through her to the Crusade, sir, if Tar-Baphon could lay an ambush at her home, or get her to do something stupid - and he probably could. I could! And I’m first circle!”

“Why not just speak to her wearing your own face and your own name?”

“That would have been less suspicious, sir, and I should’ve done it, but I was in a different face already and not in the habit of telling people I didn’t trust my name. It wasn’t until later that I realized it would have been wiser just to stick around for whatever amount of suspicion occurred to her on the spot, and thereby lay it to rest. …it wasn’t a crime, though.”

“Did you tell anyone else the result of all these conversations you technically secured permission to be in the relevant mess halls and training yards for?”

"No, sir. I'd have reported anything illegal and important but I didn't run into any of that."

"It's not an easy thing for a young man, being so much more clever than everyone else and not respected by them, not paid like he deserves -"

"I don’t want to be respected. I don’t know why Tar-Baphon doesn’t just assassinate everyone who gets well known. The Crusade pays me on time and I wouldn’t desert even if it didn’t, and it doesn’t owe me anything else.”

Entat is smiling. "Well, it seems it's been underusing you, at any rate. When did you sign up?"

"Four months back, sir, for two seasons."

"Where're you from?"

He hesitates slightly. "Katheer, sir."

Entat’s whole assessment of the situation visibly changes, at that. “Talk to anyone else from there?”

“No, sir.”

“Who put you up to joining the Crusade?”

“No one, sir.”

“Why’d you join the Crusade?”

“...I am opposed to Tar-Baphon. Also I heard I could learn to be a swordmage here, if I had the knack, and I wanted to be a swordmage.”

"The last I heard the worms down in the desert love Tar-Baphon. Why wouldn't they, when he besets their greatest enemy?"

"Well, I don't think he'll stop there, sir."

“Do you know what I think of you, young man?”

“I have little idea, sir.”