The Durants

"Twisting emotions is easy," Poenia tells him with a suddenly bored expression. "Every witch, mage and street magician can manipulate emotions. That's why every mage here knows how to protect themselves from it." The boredom passes from her face and a curling smile reappears. "It's the next level of empathic magic that is so interesting."

"Have you ever had something called the Cold War on your world, Jim?" Sagyne asks thoughtfully. "A time where peace is tenuous, tension is high, and everyone is trying to beat one another without starting a war?"