[ Maia feels a strange lurch in his stomach, the moment Csevet mentions the Winternight Ball. He remembers that night, of course, but it feels like years ago. Before Eshevis Tethimar had tried to murder him; before the entire conspiracy had been unraveled, the traitors tried and executed. He realizes his breath had caught, and forces himself to exhale slowly, to raise his ears, straighten his shoulders. ]

We assure you, Csevet, we are certain. Allow us to explain...

[ And he goes over it, glad for a momentary distraction, before he had to think about what it would mean, this distance that has artificially been created between Csevet and him, where there before had been none. He tells Csevet what he has learned, about the portal plucking people from different times, returning them perfectly in place once it became possible.

He also concludes - with some relief - that since he himself had never noted Csevet's absence, then the stories must be true. And, since he hardly can imagine Csevet leaving here without him (and here Maia pauses to smile at that understatement, face soft with fondness) that means the both of them will leave, and be returned to the Untheileneise Court. ]

So, you see, strange as it all may seem, no one will ever know we were gone. There has been no harm. Well, apart from me being forced to live without you for so long.