Valdis didn't inspire many friends, but alliances were a fact of survival. She got the feeling that something had happened to Rutile, they seemed rather subdued, not a trace of the defiance or superior attitude she knew them to have.

"Chaos is nothing new," Valdis replied. Not to her at least. "It is the origins of the storm that concern me, but I'm sure the scientists in the Aisling Tower are working on that."

Her job still seemed aimed at minor things, but she was slowly becoming accustomed to taking orders, even if she disagreed with them.

"I take it you are here to help with the rebuilding?"