Ruger lounged leisurely in his recliner. At last, he had the Library to himself again.
He renewed his Light Spell, keeping it a small orb that floated a short distance above his head. Nestled between two bookshelves, he loved the feeling, as though he were quietly savoring a meal in a cozy little room.
The rustle of turning pages sounded now and then.
He suspected Phyllis Vango would also seek out Mahama, the Big Guy. Different people, different positions, different thoughts. She understood the family's current situation better than her older sister did, and she understood her sister better, too. Even after years apart, she knew Varin would not ask Mahama for help, so she, the younger sister, had done it in her place.
Then, looking at it another way, would Varin know what Phyllis had done tonight? Or would she have some vague idea of what Phyllis might do?
Ruger thought the answer was inevitable.
Just as those words had echoed in his ears a moment ago: there were no true fools among Wizards.
Ruger understood, too. Perhaps Varin had vaguely guessed, or perhaps she instinctively avoided thinking in that direction. Just like the feelings she had naturally revealed earlier while describing the Insect Sea Domain, some attachment still lingered in her subconscious. Her earliest memories, the path she had traveled-the Vango Family was where she had grown up. In that respect, having spent years away, she might view the place where she had grown up differently from Phyllis, who had remained here all along.
And the most crucial point was that her defiance of fate had led to this entire chain of changes.
If Varin had to choose again, Ruger believed she would still resist the fate forced upon her without hesitation. But people were often that complicated.