"I assume, of course, they'll be questioning me about what could come through from home in short order," he goes on. "Not that I'm accusing you of anything personally, but the only reason to put two people in captivity together is to see if they'll talk to each other. Either they're listening or they'll have you repeat what I've just said."

It's fine. He hasn't let anything slip yet. Nor has he lied.

"I was...in and out of consciousness, I think," he says with a frown. "One moment I was in my workshop, and then I was so dizzy and nauseous I couldn't see or think, and then I was in a repulsive-smelling room with a bunch of hulking great humans surrounding me."

There's a momentary pause, and then he adds: "I've been playing dumb up until now. You can tell them I'm a gnome, if you like. I don't think it will matter to them."