“Will you carry a message for me?” the queen asked.“I can hardly decline, Yo

 “Will you carry a message for me?” the queen asked.
“I can hardly decline, Your Majesty,” answered the prisoner.
…
 “Tell your queen that I will not return her Thief a second time.”
 The prisoner just looked up at her dully. She couldn’t know how much he understood. How hard had the lieutenant kicked him?
 “What remains of his life, he spends with me, do you understand, messenger?”
“I believe so, Your Majesty.”