Just as we were discussing what we could use to lure Harlan out quickly, efficiently, and without giving ourselves away, Viska suddenly had an idea. "Conspicuous? Don't we have something super conspicuous right here?" As she spoke, she turned to Filis. "Apart from your Old Ancestor's ancestral tomb, these Fia Li People are the most conspicuous things around..."
For the first time in my life, I saw someone perform a backflip, followed by a three-hundred-sixty-degree spin, all from a seated position before ending up crouched behind a sofa's backrest. Filis practically turned into a Black Shadow as she completed that sequence. Watching her poke her head out from behind the sofa, I was utterly astonished. Her Majesty the Queen's waist muscles are pretty impressive...
"Is that any way to do things?" Filis swept her gaze across the three of us as though we were class enemies. "Do you think it's appropriate to discuss this in front of the sacrifice?"
Actually, I wanted to say that in front of a Rogue like Viska, how could anyone expect anything related to morality to strike her as "inappropriate"—but before I could speak, Viska opened her mouth first. "Oh, right. We should have discussed this while you weren't here."
Sandora and I said at the same time, "..."
Filis began trying to bore holes into Viska's face with her eyes. I didn't think it would do much good. Forget a glare—even if the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Needle were rammed into Viska's face, it would probably break apart.
"But this is a good idea," Sandora said, looking at us and beginning her analysis with remarkable calm. "Look, Harlan has already seen Fia Li ships. He may never have personally seen Homeland Material, but he has a deep impression of Fiya Li Merchant Ships. He knows the