‘What question?’
‘I asked you,’ the Thane told her, unable not to smile, ‘if Elgar intends that I give you a reply to his message.’
Satu yawned, then said, ‘Elgar never said anything about your giving me something. I think that he does not wish for you to tell me anything. He has told me very little.’ She yawned again. ‘Elgar seems to think that the less I am told, the better.’
The Thane chuckled at this, glad for a distraction that wasn’t so utterly dire. ‘I see. Are you tired?’
Satu hesitated, trying not to appear rude. ‘I have been following you for three days, waiting for an opportunity to speak with you when you are not so . . . preoccupied. And . . .’ she added, trying to be truthful, ‘I have been afraid to speak to you. It is only because I’m so tired that I’ve gotten up the nerve .’
This remark drew quiet laughter from the Thane and those nearby. ‘I see,’ he said. ‘Well, do not fear, for this night at least. You will come to no harm while you are with us.’
Stifling another yawn, she said, ‘The others warned me against listening to Elgar and coming here. They told me that Elves had been doing bad things to Pixies, and that you weren’t to be trusted.’