Not being so easily swayed, Noah frowned at the reassurances. "If thou art sure," he bristled in response. The judge had become as in tune with the emperor's emotions as he himself must be; not an uncommon thing after the years he had spent by his side. He saw no reason in pursuing the matter further, if the Lord wanted to keep it to himself.

The hound followed his master's footstep obediently - flashlight in tow, returned to the ON position - before stopping as the child did, his frown changing itself into an expression of confusion. He found the question to be rather odd. "I fear he was quite wounded - or it seemed to be, as I could not get him to wake." He was still sure that something was bothering the boy. "And your own, Lord?"