I hid my true emotions behind a pretend calm and used a slow, controlled nod to acknowledge his presence. "No need to be concerned, Elder Ryan," I spoke in a fake, empty voice, like I had already resigned myself to it. "Your secret will be kept by me."
He let out a breath that made a rattling sound and relaxed his hands that were clenched tightly, although he had not been aware of it.
"That's good, Dexter," he said weakly, yet under the relief, he was concealing a darker mood - the satisfaction of a man getting a leash on a wolf when he thinks he has tamed it.
He did the gesture of false friendliness by putting his hand on my shoulder and wiping off his sweaty palm. "Smart boy. If you keep your head down and mouth shut, you'll go a long way in this tribe."
