"That is Hawk's baby sister, that is," Teige told Parker, watching as Liya walked away. "The one he was going all that way searching for. What's she doing here...?" he murmured, this mostly to himself.

"Wh-what?!" Parker yelped, and rounded on Teige, bristling. "Why didn't you say anything?!"

"She thinks he's long dead, far as I know."

"Yeah? So why didn't you say anything??"

"What am I meant to say, Parker?" Teige asked tonelessly. Liya had paused on a small bridge not far away from them and was looking down into the dim grotto that it spanned. Teige went on in a mocking tone, "That, oh, as it so happens, yer dear brother was alive and looking for you this whole time. And--what's that? Where is he now? Not the slightest idea. Probably really, truly dead this time. By the way, I let that happen. Sorry."

Parker didn't respond, but looked doubtfully after Liya. Teige turned away.

"...That don't seem like a very kind thing to do to a little girl," he said.