Malachi was not fully confident in his interpretation -- nor in his understanding of what they might have meant. Trying to understand their options, that he caught, but the rest of it... he could not tell from the sentence alone if they wanted to be reached, or if they wished to avoid any potential ships from France.

Determined not to leave Chéri in silence, a low humming sound signaled his acknowledgement of at least having heard. Malachi's free hand went to open the door to the presbytery once they'd reached it, and again held it until the youth had passed through.

"Is it a good thing, to be reached?"

His voice came from behind, from the doorframe. He stepped inside and let the door gently shut.