"Superstition or not," Roland said gravely, taking the blanket, "I can use all the protection I can get. Thankee." He hesitated for a moment, running his thumb over the dense fabric, and then smiled. It was a small smile, a sad smile, and one of the most genuine he had given her. "And to say true, it's a blessing you didn't expect me to make you anything in return. Give me a gun, and my hands are the cleverest you'll find. Give me a needle, and I can just about sew a button back on." Shaking his head, he put the blanket down at the foot of the bed, getting to his feet. He loosened his cravat a little, cracking his neck from side to side, and offered her his arm.

Truth be told, he reflected, he would rather leave those who followed him in this world out of his sleeping state. They weighed too heavy on him as it was, sometimes. But then, there was much that couldn't be seen that he had cause to fear, so maybe it was a good thing to have a shield. It could certainly do no harm.

"As for not being good at it," he added aloud, "you did a damn sight better in a week than I could in a year. I count that plenty good enough. Shall we?"