Arialla nodded, accepting Mildew's ominous statement. She couldn't exactly expect a swamp witch to always speak plainly, of course; she just had to have faith that when such a payment came due, it would not be more than she could give. Perhaps she ought to have turned down Mildew's offer rather than place herself in such an open-ended debt, but it was too late now.
Accepting the doll from Mildew, Arialla examined it, keeping her face carefully neutral -- it would be rude to show her initial, instinctive reaction, which would have been to mirror the doll's miserable expression. Carefully placing the doll in her pocket, Arialla said, "Thank you. I will keep it close."
Knowing whom to trust would be a great boon in the days ahead, Arialla expected. (It would be in her basket rather than her pocket when the moment came, however -- not that it would have helped. By the time Arialla came within 5 feet of an Ascended, it would be too late.)
please don't take my sunshine away
