[ Similarly, if not for the task at hand, he would merely move them to a place of shelter where they could stay for the night simply for the convenience of resuming their search. He doubts that they will accomplish their objective in one night, but he wonders how long Alkaid wishes to be out searching.

If he thought that she would not vehemently protest the idea, he would suggest that he continue the search while she return to where it is warm and relatively safe. So for the moment, he refrains from speaking those thoughts aloud and focusing only on their present conversation. ]

You do raise a good point, and yet it would be a simple enough matter to reassure anyone who expressed concern that no grave accident has occurred. Still, I would not wish to cause alarm.

[ Had this not been a conversation that they had had many times over, he would protest, stating his belief that she has not let him down in any way, in the interest of ensuring that she does not continue to think along those lines.

Instead, he falls silent for a moment or two, continuing on their way even as he keeps his eyes peeled for signs of life. ]

I would humbly request that you do so, for I find that I rather like assisting you in this fashion.

[ He offers her another smile, but it is quickly replaced by a look of mild alarm. ]

I believe that I have spotted something ahead of us.

[ Or perhaps it is merely a cluster of rocks, but he wishes to make sure. ]