Faithful accepts this explanation as his due, closing first one eye, then the other for a nap. Knowing her cat, however, Alanna suspects he's still listening.

And so is she. Her excitement at the idea of a woman knight has faded somewhat, the ease with which it does so a product of her time in Milliways. She bites her lip again as she considers the implication of being able to use blood in such a way as Quentin has described.

"I don't think I'd want my enemies to be able to do that," she says mildly, at last, giving him a smile. As for his lies, "Does it matter? You've shown me the truth now."

Her eyes flick to his ears.

His answer seems important to her.

"Quentin, why did you ask me about my magic? What did you sense?"