And I shall be holding you to that, lest your very own sister take me to task when she returns. [ The smile he gives her is a warm one, and there is humor in it as well. There may not be much to laugh at around here, but he imagines that they can and should take it where it may be found. ] Sadly, it would seem as though they have achieved their goal, at least as far as the people here are concerned.

[ He wishes that there was more he could do, but none of them can give them their fighting spirit back after it has been so thoroughly crushed. Truthfully, he would fight until he no longer could if it meant freeing them, but they presently lack the numbers to make any significant or lasting difference. His brow furrows in consternation as he mulls this over. What more can they do, short of ask for assistance from others in the Alliance or elsewhere? And will anyone answer the call?

There are no easy answers, and that knowledge shows itself plainly on his face. It is while he is weighing all this in his mind even as he continues surveying her that he notices that flash of silver, even though it is brief. He cannot recall seeing that on her hand before, but now that he's noticed it, he can't help but wonder as to its significance.

He means to ask about it, but she goes on talking about Lyse and the others before he can. ]

Of course, what tends to accompany them falls more into the camp of danger and difficulty, not merely liveliness, as I know you are well aware. [ He shakes his head. ] All I can say is that I hope none of them engage in something so reckless as to draw unwanted attention to us and the people here. That is the last thing that any of us need.

[ Perhaps he should go check in on them, but for the moment, his responsibilities are here. ]