If it had been anyone else, Solomon would have known that the words were deliberately dry just to tease him. With Paddy, he could be sure they weren't. They still earned the priest an exasperated look. "Yes, it is," he said, "provided Quiver does actually choose to extend himself. He may not, if he believes it isn't enough of a benefit to risk his own safety."

It was curious that he had done even that much for Saffron. There must have been other reasons for it. Solomon closed his eyes to dull the lifestream around him so he could remember the election better--the election, and the state of Quiver's soul at the time. Ash. Ready for renewal. That had been obvious. But his relation to Tenebrae ...?

In Solomon's memory, the ash in Quiver's soul had drifted around Tenebrae's obsidian as if they were two opposing magnets deflecting each other. Which meant that Quiver had lost faith in Tenebrae as a leader. If he felt Tenebrae needed to be opposed, undermining his authority and proving he was losing control would be just one step.

"No," he said with a sigh, opening his eyes. "Saffron gave us a good accounting of Temple security before she left, but that will have already changed. If we put Quiver on the spot he'll choose his life over anything else. We'll have to wait for him to come to us."

There came the sound of a roaring engine from outside, following by the whoop of excitement from two different voices. Solomon shook his head ruefully, half at that and half at their conversation. "He's a start, at least. The Sanctuary can manage a handful of refugees, but we'll need the help of someone like Quiver if the Temple is really going to come down."