Ithi'Ka listens and frowns subtly.  She does not interrupt the half-elven woman, and instead listens with cautious apprehension for any detail.  She sighs softly, then returns to studying their path through the shameless decor and gratuity of the chambers.  She watches Nightshade, as if she might be browsing a menu of responses one might have to a friend's diabolical dealings.  Should she show disgust, distrust?  Should she take this as an opportunity to make a similar contact, to capitalize?  All of these responses would be utter charade.  She cannot feel sorry or jealous or afraid at this, and responds honestly, "Your former life must have been very unpleasant," she says with something like tenderness.  "I do not blame you."<br/><br/>They continue to walk, without her making so much as a comment further.  Her silence is natural; Nightshade may as well have spoken her secret to a shadow on the wall.  "Is Roland capable of this kind of planning?  And would he have held such a deep grudge?  Because of what you have said, this Magus... he sounds ambitious, competent enough to expand, and greedy.  Possibly..."  she wants to say megalomaniac.  She liked that word in common, but she fears she'll say it incorrectly.  "... possibly his power has gone to his head.<br/><br/>"We check June's quarters," she says softly, "then pay him a visit."