"Treasure?" Daine repeats, and even Kitten stills in bewilderment before squawking in clear offense. Daine flushes crimson, both embarrassed by Kitten's behavior and a little indignant on her behalf. "She's not a thief," Daine says firmly. "She likes making stones light up when she comes across them, but she wouldn't take things that didn't belong to her."

Kitten points insistently at the statue in the woman's hand, then flares her nostrils and huffs out a breath. "I think she's curious about your statue," Daine translates, a little uncertainly. "I was Assistant Horsemistress back home, so she knows horses and ponies."