The silence is, indeed, telling. Rezo is made deeply aware of the echoes of the mines, the sounds of Donnie working and breathing, until Donnie finally deigns to elaborate.

So he wasn't forced. Instead, he was tricked. (Why does that sound familiar?)

Rezo can understand Donnie's reticence on the manner. Many would feel ashamed to realize they'd been used in such a manner.

"...You're not the only one, you know," Rezo says quietly. "Many Outlanders were and are in a similar position."