Being a smartass will not get Siebren the assistance he needs in this situation. He knows that, and yet-

"Whatever gave you that idea?" he replies, tone light, as the creature on the other end of the tether turns to give him a markedly disdainful look. It's fine. Nothing has turned violent yet, and his frame is actually big enough to counterbalance much of the creature's mass. It's fine.

(The fact that this situation has the potential to turn markedly not fine very quickly is what worries him.)