Vanyel gulped, feeling oddly relieved he had cracked his mask some to talk to this man. He was sure later Yfandes would tell him 'I told you so', but right now she had the grace to remain quiet. Vanyel nodded his head, getting himself composed once more.

"I am sorry. I should not have said as much as I did," he said, letting go of Yfandes' mane and smoothing it in apology, laughing a bit at himself, though it sounded thick from near tears. "Oh dear, I'll have to brush her mane all over again, won't I? She'll never forgive me if I leave it a mess. She is a lady, after all."

He pulled away, going to his box to get out the mane brush, not noticing a flittering spark in the rafters.