"Perhaps," Vol said dismissively.
"You ought to do what you need to do," Penelope urged. She understood the conditions of the ailment, and what was required in order to dismiss it. At times, the girl was his closest confidant, and at other times, she was a nuisance that he didn't wish to deal with. "Take tomorrow away from everyone, and do it in the quiet, if that's the problem."
"If I leave, those new men will begin to leave as well," Vol said. He understood the threat of his own presence better than any. They stayed, in part, because they feared retribution. Few of the newcomers knew how strong Vol was exactly, but they could infer from how the older men treated him and spoke of him that he was rather strong indeed. That, temporarily, was enough to keep them from doing anything foolish.
