He wasn't certain he liked his mother being compared to a hyena, which weren't animals with a very good reputation. That said, since he'd already proven many times over already he knew jack all about animals, he didn't try to.
Cathair was used to being in charge. That didn't mean he didn't know when to bow to someone who had greater knowledge in an area than he did.
He scoffed lightly at her comment about not hurting him. "Yes, let it not be told I don't learn after the first go," he drawled cryptically. And really, it would be good cover if anyone happened past and looked in the window. It would look like they were having a casual chat.
All warfare was based on deception, after all.
And now he was thinking. They had to figure out how to organize without seeming to organize, and make their captors think their plans were working when in fact they were only making dissention stronger and unifying the prisoners.
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.
"No," he corrected. "Be straightforward. Show fear, even though you're not afraid. That'll draw out the other victims. Then we can track them down and reassure them in private. From now on, when communicating in public, we give them exactly what they want. Then in private, somehow, we plot together as one. If they get too suspicious, then we let off for awhile. We don't know enough about what their plans are to mount any sort of counter attack. We're in danger here, they know us and know themselves, Which gives them the advantage. Until we know more what they have in store for us, we're just fumbling around in the dark."