( She persists.

He, son of same stubbornness, likewise, hand adrift on the mouth's rim, a door vast and unfriendly. It will bite, he knows, if they linger long.

And they are two, for all his faults and her innocent hesitations. Better he, her shield, than she alone to walk the possibility of danger. )

Perform your duty, then. ( In the yawn of the dungeon's silence, his voice is shrapnel, shrill. He straightens and starts his step, unbidden. ) You have no reason to decline company.

( But then, he knows the way of absurdly determined children. ) Protect my advance.

( Says the unperturbed man, sword-bearing. )