It might have hurt his feelings, that look, if he weren't fairly good at deciding other people's moods weren't actually about him. But he is, so it doesn't.

Still, he gives a tight, rueful little smile and nods without lifting his head from his hand.

"D'accord," he says. "We can keep it here if you like, and when we reach out to them, we can talk about it again. I wouldn't want them to think we were carrying a stolen staff, but if you are going along you can explain."