Maybe more later, when I've had time to digest (haven't read your last ramble yet), but, I wonder, why, when I read this, did Cazaril's rejoinder to Umegat in their 2d conversation come to mind?

Something like "Interesting gossip you're privy to. I take it it would now be redundant for me to go to the archdivine and turn myself in for death magic?"

Anyway, it did.