"And we do, for better or worse, require the power of anchors to do Riftwatch's work. The truth of the matter is that we can hardly cut them all out," is a far more mercurial assessment of the affair, yes, but no less true. And maybe if the rest of the company were similarly rational—ready to recognize the immediacy of the danger—, there would be less cauterwalling about the whole matter.

Still. It is heartening that someone see the justification of the thing. That's two, perhaps three, whole someone's just this day.

"Enchanter Averesch suggested it might be possible to possess an amputated limb in possession of an anchor and have the spirit do the closing of Rifts. Obviously it wouldn't be anyone's first choice, but I believe the idea has merit. As I told him, and as you will know from Mister Dickerson and I'd earlier papers, it takes some time for the anchor's power to fade fully. There is a window. And as for who may or may not have the stomach for it—"

She pauses only briefly, allowing herself to add, "This has nothing to with Averesch's suggestion, for the record. I intended to discuss it with her before. But I did speak with her, Madame de Cedoux I mean, on the subject." A further pause, not so long but certainly present. Then, "You might also give it some consideration, your position being what it is."