In many ways, Tony and Wysteria have prepared Ellis very well for his stay above the baker's shop. The endless flow of enthusiastic conversation isn't so difficult to weather, the trouble tends to be the points where he's expected to contribute and when he tries to extricate himself from the room.

But for the moment, in between the passing of plates and a few imitations of a Chantry Mother, Ellis is consulted for his expertise. (A Warden would know best, yes?) He is no scientist, but also fears to direct these women towards any of Riftwatch's unorthodox researchers, so his noncommittal hum is broken up by him passing half his bread and the choicer cut of goose towards Maud with a loudly delivered compliment to the cook.

It is ignored, but it does save him from meditation on animals and darkspawn before the conversation veers wildly back to the rumor of a spate of ghosts making their way across the countryside, and has Riftwatch heard anything of it?

Ellis' eyebrows raise, mouth momentarily full. Looking to Maud as he chews, the squint clearly states: Have we heard of ghosts in the countryside?