"...if so, I must say, Your Majesty, it is a most peculiar kidnapping. Certainly, there are those among us who would be quite ransomable--but others hardly seem so. For example, at least one good man was brought here from moments before his death; perhaps I am merely lacking in imagination, but I fail to see how one would hold for ransom someone believed dead. And indeed, if one could do such things, it is difficult to father whom ransom would could possibly ask."

Alric pauses just a moment, shaking his head lightly, and smiles contritely.

"I assure you, Your Majesty, I have thought similar things. It seems... improbable that we are held here for any nefarious purpose--or at least, for any conventional one--and, I'm afraid, no way home has evidenced itself, yet."