Kept promises

Alexander straightens his back. He crosses his arms and thinks for a while. I also look at him, wondering what he wants in return for this little favour.

The elder waits for our reply to his question, nervous each second a little more.

«I can't promise you anything,» he says in the end. «But if you tell me your granddaughter's name, I might ask my friend at the court when I see them. I'll just hint to them that the girl should write to her family a letter, nothing more than that. I'm not going out of my way for you.»

«Oh, well... Thanks.»

«Just write her name here,» he continues, offering some paper to the elder. «I won't be able to remember it for so long.»

After getting the name, Alexander folds the paper in his pocket. I can read on the men's faces that they don't believe he'll do what he's said for real. They don't dare to hope.