[ And that makes him stop his steps, turning back just enough to glance at the boy's face, taking in the bewilderment and countering that with a knowing expression of his own. ]

It is precisely because I know better - and know more than you can possibly imagine - that I speak in riddles. You, of all people, should be able to extract its meaning. [ And that's not exactly a compliment. ] After all, you are the subject of the riddle, your ambition is the question. And what of the answer, you must then wonder?

[ Facing forward again, he lets the question seep in a long pause. ]

That's for you to discover.