Raven's Watch tender, the body

“Nei, not thralls,” he said, believing them above that. They were granted their freedom… barring Valmua and her little follower. But even then Solpallur knew that they could not keep them bound to the moor forever—they would find a way to skirt the rules or bend them to their whims, of that he was certain.

“I do not know why they follow us,” he admitted, “but for you we have space. I intend to learn why they follow us in time. Perhaps they follow their hringja or look after themselves.” If their calling meant that they were to serve a higher purpose then so be it, but if it did not then he did not know how long he would entertain their existence among them.

But he did not need to explain this to Synin—the drengr would know.

It was evident in his gaze, all the same.