"I like your mother," Autor says immediately. "She's much more commanding than I thought she would be. But calm, too. It's interesting; I wouldn't have thought the two traits would blend well, but she manages her presence well enough. I can easily see her ruling the Magic Guild."

Then he blinks, and flushes brightly. "Um," he says, fidgeting. "Sorry. I was thinking out loud."

When did I start doing that!

"So," he says, and coughs, "where are we going?"