>What if S_____ happened to legitimately borrow the blue gem >from Aliera, and then use it as "Kiera"? Kiera of course, >being in "character" would say she picked it form Aliera's pocket? Quite possibly. In that case, though, why even mention it except maybe to impress Cawti with how clever she was to think of checking for Elder Sorcery? Kiera doesn't strike me as the sort how worries about whether her friends think she's clever. I'd guess it's just straightforward reporting of the facts. The other reason I could see against that idea is the claim that Kiera "never cheated". That is, Kiera used only her own abilities and resources. If S------- borrowed something from Aliera then, by all rights, Kiera could not have that thing unless she literally stole it from S-------.