Essek would still not necessarily categorize Verin as so carefree as Molly is imagining, but compared to himself, just about anyone could be considered so. The youngest of Den Thelyss lacked the ambition of his older brother, and is often ruled more by his own sense of justice than practicality. In many ways, they could not be more different.

Essek missed him terribly, even before Erku.

He blinks to bring his thoughts back around, and finally after a moment licks his lips and gives a shrug as though giving in. He's had worse ideas.

"Why not?"