Verin's eyebrows draw together as he listens in silence. He tries to remember if he's heard typhros before, but it doesn't catch on any meaning. What Essek describes, however, is horrifying. Slowly the pieces slip together in Verin's mind as he considers the behavior of the Bright Queen, the way her Dusk Captain has stepped in time and again in his memory to stay or lessen what felt like irrational commands. He shivers, feeling a deep cold despite the hot water.

He has never thought very hard about consecution, not since accepting it. It seemed like there was no other choice, especially knowing of Essek's refusal of the ritual. He had less to lose. But now hearing that the very goal of becoming an umavi puts their people in danger and no one - no one - has made any attempt to bring reason to light...

Verin covers his face for a moment, eyes closed as he reminds himself to breathe deep. He doesn't know that he can handle this information right now, the weight of it heavy on already tired shoulders. He will not be able to banish the thought now that he's been told. It is now his burden to know as much as Essek's.

"What do you want me to do with this, Essek?" he asks quietly, and he hates the hollow note in his voice. "What do you expect me to do?"