[ That's the thing, he's never known. Surely there were easier ways for her to live aside from following them around. It may be working in their favor, but that doesn't mean she wouldn't turn on them on a dime if she had a way out. ]

I don't know. [ He'll only concede this much. He could leave it there and avoid gossiping about Karsa, but this isn't a secret anymore. ] The Merchant burned her face, because of something we did that he didn't approve of. I assume. I think the one she uses now is an illusion.

It can't be loyalty that's keeping her by his side.