Angel said, "Haven't we already discussed this?"
Black Earl said, "Are you sure you don't want to change your mind? The deal I discussed with you is actually better suited to Dox. Are you certain this is your choice?"
Suddenly hearing his name, Dox looked from Black Earl to Angel in confusion. He had no idea what they were talking about. They discussed something? When? What deal would suit me better?
Dox wanted to ask, but Black Earl brushed him off with a single remark: "You chose to discuss it after we leave."
In other words, since Dox had chosen to wait until they left, he should not butt in now.
Waiting until they left meant keeping things settled. But if Dox listened and decided that talking now was better, then changed his choice, the earlier either-or decision would be meaningless.
Dox had no answer. He could only swallow his frustration and listen to Black Earl and Angel, trying to tease out the information hidden in their conversation.
Angel said, "Who it suits isn't important. What matters is broadening my horizons."
Black Earl studied Angel. "So you agree with Spivey's theory that broadening one's horizons matters more than staking out a patch of ground and studying alone?"
The Spivey Black Earl had abruptly mentioned was not the one whose soul had entered a young boy's body, fallen from wizard to apprentice, started over, and become Flora's disciple. He meant Spivey the Cunning Archwizard of five thousand years ago.
Angel said, "Don't stretch my words into the age-old disputes between schools of thought and theories. I'd rather not come out of here to find every major magazine claiming I support their side."
Rhein had warned him to be careful around Black Earl. Black Earl might not dare make a move against