"Good to know," August said with a grin and a nod. He waited a beat, and then added wryly, "I think."

But when Tharan asked what was going on, the mirth vanished from his face. "Wish I could tell you anything useful. I'm not really all that connected with the politics and war and such. This morning was basically just, 'grab what you need and get to the walls, they're here.'" He shook his head, and gave his belt pouch a little pat.

"Priority now, I'm thinking, is to get everyone up and organized. The Aaran who teleported us seems to know what he's doing, I'm betting he has something of a plan, and probably knows more about what's going on. I was planning to talk to him once we get moving." He hesitated a moment, but everyone here had seen him receive the sphere anyway, so secrecy was, at the moment, not an issue. "Hopefully he'll also be able to tell me what I'm supposed to do with this doodad, other than 'guard it with my life.'"