Everything had begun to feel stuffy, so Ajab decided to leave. He had never expected the night and a casual walk would grace him with such a sight—Elmah speaking to someone, anyone, with such wholehearted attention.
He smacked his fist into his palm, eyes lighting with excitement. He liked this Znoh already. Smiling to himself, he thought, at last, I'm becoming a proud father. His glee shone brightly enough to be mistaken for a stone light. Oh, the joy of watching this child finally spread his wings.
"So you finally made your first friend," Ajab said as he approached Elmah.
Elmah turned to him with the wary look of a child being deceived into drinking bitter medicine masked as sweet syrup—a trick he knew far too well. What sort of accusation was His Highness attempting to pin on him? Even if he wanted a friend, who would willingly choose one like this man, who couldn't grasp the simplest logic?
"I have done no such thing," he said flatly.
