Xeon's reaction wasn't what I expected. Though the crowd around me spun to stare and glare while Tanasharia and her posse of cronies faced me down, the Planeless leader smiled with his benevolence, waving me forward.

"Allow her to pass, my children," he said. "Let Senne Hathenemeria join us in celebrating the freedom of our people."

We could fight our way out. Sassafras's nervousness wasn't making things any easier.

No, I sent. Let's see what Xeon has ...