Sak'bas nodded to him. "Of course. It is my duty to protect you, especially when you follow foolish routes," she said, evenly.<br/><br/>His allies seemed less surprised by the news than he might have expected, though Tina did, quietly, point out that Candlemere was close enough to be within sight, as they were at the point where the river fed into the cursed lake.<br/><br/>The child wasn't difficult to calm; he stated that his name was Tig, and he'd been taken about a week ago, from one of the outlying farms, near the capital.<br/><br/>"So, what are your plans with them?" Talia asked, arching an eyebrow at him.