"Oh." Ariel's surprise could not be described as pleasant. She placed her wine carefully down on the table and put one hand over the other. "I wish you would have told me, Meesei. I, of course, trust that you only had the best of intentions, but..." She glanced at Rukeewei and back to Meesei. "...If there are threats against us, we wish to be the first to know."

Sabine ate another spoonful of pumpkin stew, avoiding Ariel's eyes.