It was perhaps because he sensed Altair’s glance that there was a twinge of a smile on Malik’s lips, or perhaps it was simply the absurdity of hearing “thank you” come from Altair’s lips. Only a cool wind and the occasional chattering of the horses separated the rise of their whispers, making Malik alert to the sound of Altair shuffling grass.

“You sound restless,” Malik noted aloud. “You should sleep. We have much to do tomorrow.”