Siegfried crouches down to meet Petra at eye level, shaking his head.

“My, you really have made me regret my decision,” he murmurs. “But you must realize that yours was a fruitless crime. You see, I work by memory. Everything in that cabinet exists as a perfect copy up here.” He taps his head. “Indeed, you did what was instinctual, to pull the first sticks and tablets from the shelf. But those were the most unique cases – the orchards and wineries, the pig farmer -- your father’s peas, but his tallies are still on my belt from earlier. If you wish, you can throw them in the fire later. Perhaps it will make you feel better. At any rate, the rest of the cabinet is full of naught but wheat tallies. If you were to destroy those, you would have caused me a bit more trouble.”

He observes the light of defiance fading from Petra’s eyes, which then look away from him. He sighs.
“I must admit, however, that what you did was very clever. Were I in your situation, I would have done the same.” The compliment does nothing. She avoids his gaze.

“I’m going to cut the rope now.” Siegfried moves behind her, frees her once more.
“Faramund,” he says, rising, and Faramund acknowledges him by cocking his head. “Forgive me for the intrusion, truly. But tomorrow we must write up the harvest, at least the first part. I remember everything now, but I shan’t always.”

Faramund nods, peering up at Siegfried in a way which inquires what will happen now. Siegfried takes on a hint of embarrassment.
“May I perhaps trouble you with this woman for a few more hours? I really do apologize. There are some dire tasks I must complete before sundown for the sake of security –” he glances at Petra, “And propriety.”

Again, Faramund nods, but Siegfried always feels the need to overexplain himself to this man. As he lists his chores – moving the cabinet to the armory, finding straw for a bed and a few servants’ dresses for Petra, organizing a bath – he becomes overwhelmed by the sense that Faramund deserves far better than serving as a vessel for such inane speech and quiets himself.
“A few hours, then…” he murmurs, leaving once more.