[thoughtless]

"I'm right here." Reylan's voice booms, seething with anger at the scene before him. "Get away from him, Essa."

The little girl drops her shoulders and sighs, showing only annoyance rather than fear. "We were only playing your game. I was winning!"
"I'm sure you were." He pauses. "Is that how you got into my house in the middle of the night?"

She nods. "That back door is super easy."
"And my guards?"
She shrugs. "One of them was sleeping."

Reylan was quite certain he heard Vyra laugh. He kneels to the girl's level and ruffles her hair. "How about you head back outside and stay with Mr Gunter until I'm finished here. Then I'll take you home."
"But I don't want to go--"
"I'll stay the night. Be there when you wake up."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
She eyes him carefully. "Deal!" With that she scurries out the front door, leaving the strung up man without another thought. Reylan turns to his prisoner. "If you use her against me again, in any way, treaty or not, I will kill you."