“A shame,” Vahit said, shrugging in regards to the apparent lackluster affair that had occurred during the night. “You could do worse for yourself than currying favor from my man there.” It was all very much the same to him though and the men could work it out amongst themselves, that was if they chose to keep the elf around for any length of time at all. Vahit contemplated his other words much longer before giving any sort of response.<br/><br/>Malta was pressed between respectful obligation to trust his superiors and a hopefulness that something could be gained from this. He did trust Vahit though and the elf spoke on his own behalf in the hoped that he’d be able to continue his research because that meant he would be allowed to live. Perhaps not comfortably, but enough that he could prove his usefulness.<br/><br/>“Because I am feeling generous, and because I trust Malta will not mind taking over your care – the extra hunting another mouth will require –” a leveled gaze and this was understood by the soldier, “I will give you a fortnight to show me some sign of progress. For all the effort, I would suggest you go out of your way to show my soldier your gratitude. Plenty would be happy to take his place and find you in their beds at night instead.” The responsible individual would get to reap the rewards and decide what he wished to do with his bounty.<br/><br/>“If he’d too much of a burden make it a joint effort,” was Vahit’s cold suggestion. “So long as he can do the task he’s just assigned himself I do not care of his condition.” Such was the fate of their enemy. All the things he’d requested were returned to him, sent to the tent with Malta.<br/><br/>What Vahit proposed wasn’t so simple. Malta had to get his standard work done and then care for the needs of the elf on top of that. That would require him either leaving the elf for someone to keep an eye on (a favor owed) or he’d have to take him with him. He had some personal provisions to feed him that morning of hardtack and dried meat from his last hunt but would have to make a decision that next day. If he was pulling from their rations and hoarding the elf away the others would start getting hostile.<br/><br/>“What will you require to conduct your research?” Malta was asking after setting the elf back to his fire. He was dressing more properly now and lacing up his armor. There would be training drills that would eat up most of his day.