"It's only that Dravok's been asking when you mean to come and see him." Rhosyn stepped past him into the hall as he made room. "It's time, Trafalgar. Past time, if he's the one doing the asking."
"I know, I know." He fell in beside her, steering them both toward the sitting room at an unhurried pace. "We'll meet them soon. The sooner we start, the sooner I'm worth anything, and the sooner we start finding whoever's left of our people."
"You say it like it's a short road." Rhosyn's mouth curved, dry. "It won't be as quick as you've got it in your head. To reach the ones still out there, you'll have to climb higher than you can picture from where you're standing."
"It'll get done." He glanced sideways at her, something almost boyish surfacing under the dry front. "Or won't it? Go on. Tell me you don't feel something different about me."
Rhosyn stopped, looked him over properly for the first time since she'd come in, and let out a short breath that was nearly a laugh.
