Noah followed two steps behind Daisy, matching her pace without being told to.
She didn't look back for the first minute. Then, without breaking stride, she spoke over her shoulder.
"During the investigation, you will remain silent unless directly addressed. You will not act unless I give the order. Is that understood?"
"Yes," Noah said flatly.
In his head, he turned the instruction over and found it very agreeable.
If someone put a knife to her throat, he would wait for the order before even trying to save her.
If something knocked her off her feet, he would stand and watch until she told him otherwise.
He found himself almost hoping the merchant quarter had something worth meeting, something fast and decisive and sufficiently motivated.
If she survived, the fault would be placed on her for giving him an absolute order that he couldn't disobey due to the absolute compulsion.
And if she died, that was even more good news.
