Latest puzzlement - as Zerika leaves the Paths and the Orb boots up, she wonders where Piro et al. are - and she knows. Piro doesn't (I presume) have a link. Ok, Tazendra did - does she still? Or does the Orb have plain old Total-Information-Awareness powers? Could the Jhereg have asked Zerika where Mellar was? Are there members of the Jhereg who are living off the grid by not getting a link (assuming that matters)? Since sorcery is now suddenly stronger, how is it that the Athyra are losing influence as the Cycle turns? Perhaps sorcery has become easier for everyone but the good stuff (relatively speaking) hasn't gotten so much simpler?