"Well, if you want to get back, don't let me stop you," he offered, sticking his hands into his pockets. Immediately, he pulled them back out. No, not a confident look. He might have lost his power and his status and his comfort, but if he couldn't put on a show of pride--well then, there just wasn't anything left for him to feel good about.

"Of course, I'm glad you're coming along." And that was true enough. Most people around here were annoying to no end, as far as he could tell. Like those men at the temple who had gaped the moment he'd suggested anything other than complete compliance with the religion of their captors.

Anything other than docile submission to the gods who had probably snatched them away.