"You think it perverse that she is smitten by this cousin of Niles?" Grol said mildly, appraising the younger man.
Palindor fixed him with a look. "I do. How may I not?"
Grol smiled tightly at that. "It just so happens that I like this Amrhost of Astargoth. I have done battle with him at my side, and despite appearances have discovered him to be an honourable man. A decent man. I know naught of his cousin, Niles, but I do not believe that Amrhost would risk your sister's safety. If Julina, your sister, is at his side this moment, then she is as safe as may be."
"You do not know these northerners of Astargoth as I do," Palindor glared, darkly. "I do not trust them! And I will not believe my sister safe until I lay eyes upon her once more!"
"And what if Amrhost is one day responsible for that occurrence?" Grol asked him. "What then?"
Palindor didn't deign to reply.
Poking her head from beneath the covers, Lily experimentally expelled a puff of air, and scowled at the little cloud of vapour that resulted. Pulling the covers back over her head, shivering unnecessarily, she muttered, "Little cloud, little cloud, cold-weather hinter; go away till next year, take with you winter!"