Swamped

You've been stuck watching this lizard-worm. Despite the fact that its head hasn't regrown, it's still proving quite aggressive. Maybe it's something to do with the transport here.

At least it's not hard to deal with. It keeps ramming against your leg, but it doesn't take too much effort to throw off without any teeth to latch on with. You wish there were a better place to keep the damn thing, but Rider thinks it needs to be observed for a while, for some reason.

Meanwhile, you've got some words for Starling.

"What the hell was that all about?" you growl. "You just ran right over and got me stuck in this mess. And now you won't even talk about whatever had you so upset in the first place?"

"It was supposed to be for the Boss' ears only," Starling says. She sounds a little defensive. "I'm not sure it even matters any more now, though. Rider says we probably won't have a chance to get back for days."

Ugh. Great. She's keeping secrets from you. Not that you haven't kept your share from her, but at least you don't pointedly refuse to tell her things she asks about.

Even worse, it's got something to do with the Boss. Frankly, you don't see how it's going to help anything to tell him whatever it is. He's been a mess since the day you arrived here.

You shove the lizard-worm aside again.

"I could help you with that," Starling says.

You shake your head.

"I've got it covered. Didn't Rider give you anything to do?"

"He told me to stand by. I thought about keeping an eye on that Bogknight prisoner, but it doesn't seem necessary."

She glances over at Marshall, who seems to just be watching as Rider strokes the desert horse's ears.

"I still don't quite get everything that's happened here, honestly. Why is a Bogknight with us? And a grebling? And, well, that," she says, pointing at the lizard-worm.

"Don't look at me," you say. "I'm as lost as you are. Nothing's made sense since I saw Marshall again."

"Again?"

Oh, hells. You had to let that slip out.

It'd serve her right if you just left her hanging, since she's doing the same to you. But you just can't. You respect her too damn much, even if she's being a pain right now.

So what are you going to say?