"Maybe a little less," Alistair says, "if we stop calling it kidnapping. 'Rescuing' is a good word. I like 'rescuing'--Merrill?"

Where's Merrill, with her elf eyes? He puts both hands straight out in front of him in case the answer is right there. Rachette also has her dwarf eyes, but Alistair thinks she's a lot less inclined to let him touch her. But he is going to fall down and make noise and possibly die if someone doesn't do something.

"Can I hold your hand? I won't tell Mal." Or--"or someone glow, please."