When you're told that you want something often enough, [ a shrug. bastien will be familiar. ] And then, some doors open one way.

[ he'll know that, too. everyone's ancient to a child. (it isn't only circles that take their students young, and in a minute, maybe he'll ask.) ]

I went about six. But he'd have known my tutor. Aged, withered like a prune. Probably fifty. [ a flare of theatric disgust. ] He'd tell us he was a war hero, whenever he was drunk, and he must have been because they kept letting him drink —

[ (in a minute. when he finishes this smoke.) ]

But he was a Senior Enchanter. Had some hand in the selection.