[ Aymeric hums a sound of acknowledgement, swaying ever so slightly with the motion of his hand. ]

The friends I have got are like you — honest — but some are gone, away from the city, or they were, and the others report to me. I can hardly say how glad I would be to have some honesty after debating policy, or meeting with the bishops, or...

[ He paused, raised his head a little, squinting at the road, where the tiny gate in the wall crawled open. ]

Horse and cart.

[ His hand resumed stroking Cain's back. ]