Hoshor Plains laced up boots, wandering soul

Valiant smirked, despite his best efforts, to hear Salaksartok described as such. It was in part because he could read between those lines, and in part because her shoulder shook against his, and he felt it in the marrow of his bones. This expression sobered at talk of her family — Yes, the man thought, we all need our families. He thought that Vairë's seemed especially good, which meant he had nothing bad to say about her mother.

"I brought her a parcel from Ariadne," he replied. "And I found out Dutch asked her to find me a wife."

Why had he said that?

"She didn't, though," he clarified, just in case that was something Vairë might have an opinion on. He hurried to change the subject, saying, "She gave me some things to bring back. Your sister seemed... tense. When I handed it over."