Essek notes the kindness Verin shows him by taking some of that responsibility on himself, but he is the one with access to the Sending spell. They could speak more often, at least. But since his...collaboration with the Assembly, he has been reluctant to contact Verin, wishing to keep him away from that business for his own safety. It has led to a long silence between them.

He runs his fingers through his brother's unbraided hair, then reaches for a comb to work out the tangles more efficiently before he washes it. He glances up, meeting his eyes as Verin turns toward him.

"She was..." He grimaces. There is no use in being anything but honest with Verin about the situation he is in. "She was very angry, brother. If your den was any but Thelyss, I worry what she might have done. But I will handle Leylas. I have dealt with her in these moods before, and she relies on me." He is the Bright Queen's Shadowhand. This makes him one of the few who truly knows what she is capable of. "Though this is the worst, perhaps, that I have seen. Usually Quana, at least, is able to dissuade her, but..."

He shakes his head, then tuts as he notices one of his long sleeves dragging in the water, putting the comb down to scoop it back out.

"In any case, you should stay out of the Queen's way as much as possible in the coming days. I have arranged for the Dusk Captain to come here if you need to be consulted." His lips purse into a thinner line before he adds, almost reluctantly, "You should also prepare yourself to see Mother. I will not be able to keep her at bay for long."