Eventually, tactfully, he said, "Anest, have you told Lily of our coming journey?"
Obviously he hadn't had time, but taking his cue from the wizard, Anest cleared his throat and said, "I was about to. She should know what she's got herself into."
Lily looked up at him with alarm. "You are leaving?"
"You," he said, "are coming with us. We are going to visit a great city, where plans are being made to do something about these evil things."
"What sort of plans?" she asked, not sounding convinced.
Anest looked to Belloc, unable to tell her that they would undoubtedly be plans for war.
With a rueful smile, the wizard said, "We all must plan to have a future. There are those who would spoil it for everyone, and they will succeed if such as we don't interfere."
"The storm's passing," said Caspar. It was true. The clouds were breaking up, and the first rays of sun were breaking through. Immediately, the mood lightened, as though a weight had been lifted.
"As I said," said the wizard, "one must plan to have a future. It is high time for study. Lily too."
"Me?" she blurted, "I can't read."