"I'll show you when we get there," says Palamedes, and though his tone is casual enough, there is a certain playful twinkle in his eye. He wonders if psychometry is among the otherworldly talents Darlington is familiar with and finds himself hoping, just a little, that it is not.

From time to time, Palamedes does like to show off.

He turns off the stove and pours the water into Darlington's mug, and then his own. "Funny, you could say something similar about the Empire. We have nine houses, but only eight are functional in any practical sense. And we're awfully protective of our specialties. Go on."