"Or perhaps she is caught up elsewhere- I could not say. Assumptions are that, assumptions. No one I know has seen or heard anything just yet." Normally not one to stumble over himself- the way Merril's face fell? Had him rushing to say something, anything, to bring that light back.

Why he felt compelled to do so he couldn't quite say. Something about disappointment not settling well in his stomach.

"Until we know more- here is likely the place to be. And with the world as it is? I am certain she would find her way here in time." Hope was not something he put stock in. Not at all. But- perhaps there are those that needed it.

"I- me- that is not ME I was in a cart with turnips! You are smelling the turnips."