Rashad lets out a high, pained laugh that surprises him so much he immediately clams up again, looking shocked.

"It is not your place to tell us how we may live," intones the chameleon while Rashad is still struggling to construct a coherent response. She adds coolly, "All living things must eat, Asadi. You would have us starve."

"I have harmed no one," mutters Rashad uneasily, taking advantage of being loose of Iman to take another few steps backward.