"I guess that's right," Anise agreed with a disappointed frown. It probably wasn't a good idea to get her hopes up for something like that. Landel's had a pretty lousy track record when it came to allowing convenient things.

The next bit of news to be dropped, however, made the girl's face light up, and in an instant she was giving Guy her full attention again.

"Why didn't you say so!?" she cried accusingly, but soon grinned, hands clapped together in delight. It was another forced smile, but she at least had some hope that this time, there was something to be genuinely happy about. "So what did you find? Something interesting? I want all the details."