Naturally he has no idea what nuance he's meant to draw from that. This is fine. It's getting easier to lapse back into old habits, of doing all the talking and only half-expecting responses. Not the sort of thing that puts him off.

"I'll guess that means you don't know," he casually decides. "You wouldn't be the first."

Lemm studies them a moment. He doesn't find what he's looking for on their expressionless mask, but that doesn't mean it's not there.

"Maybe you'll find a hobby," he advises, offhandedly, and immediately changes the subject. "By the way, and this is my business - you don't suppose any of your friends over in Deepnest are going to come looking for trouble from me for taking up your time, do you? Only I don't fancy myself in question with Queen Herrah's lot."