Gabriel met Skul's gaze, knew Skul knew the answer to the question he himself was asking, and answered it anyway. "Because it would guarantee we have the right universe," he said simply. "Even if you don't know it, I ought to be able to find it."

If anyone could, other than his Master, he could. "I'd never attempt to do so without your permission. It might not even be necessary." He hesitated, and then confessed, "But the alternative would take longer, and we may not have that kind of time." Then the Archangel smiled gently. "Give a bit of thought. Whatever we do, I need to finish these wards to give us as much time as possible."

He was halfway through the second spiral. Bare minimum he should write three. Five would be better, and seven even better. He turned back around and went back to work, his writing flowing and elegant and weaving, unbroken, through the sigils.