“Let me make this very clear, Elias.” Valdis growls. “That creature is innocent and shall be treated as such. Any negligence on the part of my people will be dealt with by me and will not be held against her. Her state is your fault, not hers.”

Valdis will not allow this creature to suffer because people are afraid of her. In fact, she suspects that the creature will have more support than Elias believes.

Finally, far softer.

“One last thing. Does she have a name?”