One of the Orlesian texts is removed from the stack. Laurent straightens back to his full height rather than rifle through the pages while bent.

"Hylan," he says, cracking the book. "A Fereldan historian. His Study of a Shaded Throne is imperfect, and the best book on the subject they keep here. Sister Medill's writing may also serve."

Here. The open book is reversed. He patiently taps a point on the inside bookplate, indicating a sunburst pattern in the corners, before the text is passed down.

"Avoid these. The press responsible is"—popular and prolific—"fanatical."