Greatwater Lake he has thrown down the cavalry as gravel sinks

It seemed that his sister's reach was far and wide. He squinted a little at Cassiopeia following her question, trying to think of if Maegi had ever mentioned another comrade. But despite some familiarity, he just couldn't place her. His memories of those in the woods besides his brother, Relmyna, and his littermates were foggy at best. He remembered how he felt about the more notorious ones and would recognize them by name, but had this been none other than Potema looking at him, he wouldn't even have recognized her face.

Protectiveness surged up in him and he fought to keep his expression clear of it as he asked, as politely and levelly as he could, who is it that asks after my sister? He wasn't about to tell just anyone of her whereabouts. He was more guarded than that, especially because of Flicker and her 180 change in attitude when he refused her. They couldn't be too careful lest they invite trouble, so he needed to know before saying that Cass wasn't another of Damien's errand runners come to try to bargain with them.