Risei knows he's being insulted, that Acht, like all magi, can only see acts of kindness as self-serving. He remembers Katya and her duplicity, Kirsikka and her bargaining, Lara's fear of him from the start.

How long has Acht lived with all that contempt and constant fear?

Risei shuts his eyes, and when he opens them again he's looking down to to Lara, the futon, the books, the heap of blankets.

"I hope to end the war," he says, truthfully, "and I want her to be safe. She doesn't have to be at my side to be safe, and if she wants you to take her home I won't stop you. But I do believe I can help her more here, and it's because I've seen you hurt and kill and send her to die."