“I do not wish to be a burden on you,” Gwendolyn said. “We can leave.”
The chief shook his head.
“You will not leave,” he said. “Not until you are rested and ready. There are other places you can go in the Empire, if you choose. Places that are also well hidden. But they are far from here, and dangerous to reach, and you must recover and decide and stay here with us. I insist on it. In fact, for this night only, I wish for you to join us, to join our festivities in the village. It is already nightfall – the Empire will not see you – and this is an important day for us. I would be honored to have you as our guests.”