Redsand Canyon the cottonwood

Glaukos did not care for the specifics about Akashingo. He listened; that was why he asked. He wanted to have Tamar all to himself for as long as possible. To have her attention, to hold her voice in his head, whatever he could do without being overt with his fascination. She knew the most about Akashingo - and while she did not pretend to enjoy the topic, he knew she was trained to perform tasks asked of her. He took advantage of that.

The idea that someone was being kept somewhere against their will was not uncommon - it wasn't even offensive to Glaukos despite his own history - and there had to be a good reason for someone to linger where they were unhappy.

He opened his mouth to make another comment, or assert a question, but stopped when Tamar turned away. He smelled the salt of her tears which hadn't spilled; this quelled any further questions from being asked.

I should return to my work. He rumbled as an afterthought, unsure of how to respond to her distress.