Having seen Kurik well, if not technically alive, Sparhawk has mostly come to terms with his loss.

"His eldest, and already the favourite to be the next preceptor of the Pandions, if we can persuade him that we're not all useless..."

And whatever else Sparhawk was about to add is cut off as they are approached by another. For a brief instant, Sparhawk wonders if this place can read minds and conjure up people, but that fades as the other man speaks.

"Neighbour," Sparhawk defaults to his basic greeting, rather than say the comments that spring to his lips, all of which are rather uncomplimentary, and probably rude.