While Nasharia spoke, Ephraim sat back down, his face still contorted into a scowl, but his temper diminished by her words. He let the others speak for a while on the matters that he had no experience with or influence in. 

Kanros proposed that Ephraim be the one to root out more information about the sorcery that had occurred in the Hall of the Guardians, and Ephraim had replied with a curt nod. Of course, he had already begun his investigation immediately after the attack, but it would do well to have the consent of the rest of the Guardians to continue the investigation without fear of reprisal. Quietly, of course, but Ephraim drove a hard bargain until he got the truth out of people.

Ignoring the current conversation about who the Guardians should hire to increase the capacity of the city guard, Ephraim cleared his throat and turned his attention to Landar. [B]"I agree with Kanros; I would very much like to investigate the events that transpired here. My own network is respectable, but not nearly as extensive as yours. Will you grant me access to your informants so I may have the greatest amount of resources available to me?"[/b] 

He hated asking (for anything, really) but it was necessary. And, Ephraim thought to himself, it would actually be good not to be total enemies with everyone else. He still didn't know what to do about Leytan and Alaric, but he would let that matter rest until a later time.

With even greater reluctance, he turned to Haljon. [b]"With your permission, of course,"[/B] Ephraim said, smiling wryly.