Ruli looked to Kire as she mentioned his dislike for the place. "I don't like being trapped." He said unhappily. Even though he sat, his heel bounced against the stone floor, his knee likewise bouncing under his elbow. 
"I can't answer that." Ruli said about the following question. "If I do, you'll look at me like she does."

He straightened, bracing his back against the stone wall, drumming his fingers on his knees. He saw Aera's face in his head, the cold, empty look she gave him. Like she saw through him. Like he was nothing but a memory. 
Then, her face changed. Younger. Rounder. Her eyes bright with life and humour. Her smile had always been charming, but reserved, like she'd never been told it could make the flowers bloom in winter. 

"She wasn't always .... that." Ruli whispered, sure some elf somewhere was listening, despite theft that they couldn't understand. "When Aera lived with us, she could knock a man off his feet with a staff in seconds. Loved to cook, even if she couldn't tell the difference between salt and sugar. Had no tolerance for alcohol." He gazed at the place she'd been standing. 

"Do you remember what I said to you in Ziad, about the Kartaians?" Ruli returned his head to peer at Kire. "That they don't take prisoners?" Sighing, he flicked his fingers to where the princess had been. "She was the exception. Their last prisoner, as far as I know. Until I heard them say you were to be." Ruli frowned, his expression dark. He reached up and absent mindedly rubbed his hand across his left collarbone. "She never came back." He glanced back her way. "Its why I stepped in instead of letting you take them on alone."