At the mention of words like "prayer" and "manse," a change comes over the Kri. It cannot afford defiance, not with such an offer of sustenance. "Esse, mistress. And for what you promise me, I will dive beneath the stone and see what I can find. Give me the night, and I will give you a tunnel!" it brays. Ivory Eyes cannot tell how sincere its new loyalty is. With what she knows of its breed, she would have to imagine it acts entirely out of desperation.

The Kri gives Ivory Eyes a sidelong glance as it beseeches her. "But I am weak and hungry, too pitiful to undertake such works...unless you would grant me a small boon of essence? Enough motes to get by for the night?"