A rueful look. “Yes,” Stephen says, not confirming or denying or mentioning how many. (As said: it’s a personal, quiet thing.)

But thank you, Mobius, that’s a convenient opening to: “So. Have you reconsidered it at all? You could practice with that shard, you know, and pick up anchor magic. Your templar abilities wouldn’t have to be your only suprahuman capability. This could be an alternative.”

Is he manipulative enough to lean on Mobius’ spirituality for this—

“You could maybe,” said delicately, “even,” step-by-step, “see that as the silver lining in picking up the shard. Maybe it was meant to happen. A lifeline.”