[Suzerain of Sheol]

Shealtiel raises an eyebrow, though his eyes remain closed, his head still bowed. "I could attempt to summon and bind an Emim," he drawls. "With all that psychic power, it's bound to have some means of getting us across in one piece."

Waiting out the half heartbeat of incredulous looks that are no doubt turned upon him, he sighs, and adds, "I do not advise attempting that. They have a tendency to resent being dragged away from whatever it is they're doing -- not the best way to befriend one." Another numb pause, a feigned cough. "Humor."

"Still, we only seem to have two choices. Either attempt a crossing, putting our... faith in Na'lsa's knowledge of this vehicle's capabilities and capacities, or... attempt the Pass, which is doubtless the haunt of some manner of pathetic brigands, equally doubtlessly eying our magnificent transport with a rapacious gleam in their rodent-like eyes. And then, of course," he adds as though it is an afterthought, "there would be the Infernal Sea to cross -- a much more dangerous voyage, one imagines, unless weather is particularly bad in the Aegean at this time of year."