As she said she'd been trying to tell him, he frowned, retracing their conversations to see why he'd missed all the signs. Suppose she had been trying. He met her gaze again, listening as she explained how the Seers chose their champions and interference by educated guesses. It sounded infuriating. To have someone meddling in your own life of the lives of others based on something so flimsy. And when she went on to describe the terrible power behind opening gates, the blood and souls it took, the number of sorcerers, all for a chance to open a gate. 

When Kire mentioned that there had been an attempt, failed or successful, who knew, years ago, Ruli blinked. She'd been forty years old. So, he surmised, either she had a long life, too, to her world worked different when it came to age. She looked nothing like forty years, or however much older she was. But, then again, nor did he. 

"A bit, I suppose." Ruli answered her, rubbing his face again. "I sort of understand the need to hunt him down and kill him a bit more clearly." He lowered his arms, toying with his empty cup. "So. Breakfast, and then back to Cordon? We can see if your enemies are really there, or just purchase more lumber and seeds."