Saralegui was struck by the vehemence of it, but he'd never taken well to being told what to do. He straightened and turned to stare Tzilan down, chin lifted and gaze unyielding.

"And there's not a man alive -- or otherwise," he added, shooting Tzilan a pointed look, "--that can harm me if I don't will it. For all else, I'm wise enough to know when to stand behind the people with the swords."

Between them, Shima dropped low against the stone as if visibly wilting in the tense atmosphere. She tucked her head just over the edge, close to Saralegui's shoulder, and his eyes finally softened as he breathed a faint sigh and laid a soothing hand on her neck.

"The concern is sweet," he said after a moment. "But nothing worthwhile comes without risk."