"It was not my place to ask, so I did not. I only hope things turn around soon." She remained worried for Honey-Badger Hold throughout her trip, but she believes if any group can overcome their troubles, it's them.

"Yes. I had to purchase most things. A few were gifts suitable for guest-welcome. So I suppose you owe me. Of course, I am not a harsh person. I will only make you do, hmm, five hours of manual labor for me." Sam surely knows Christine's tone well enough to know when she's teasing him.