Quoted By:
In spite of how open and forthcoming the Taker has been with you, you still feel that you are long leagues away from getting a true read on the man. Is he just rolling you a more palatable pill, talking about how he has <span class="mu-i">just</span> realized his actions may indict his Hall - or did he always plan on this about-face, and merely accede to keep you pliable? You are run through with doubts and fears, but they don't make much sense - at least, not in the state you find yourself in. The man is a high-ranked member of an important Guild; surely, he cannot be unfamiliar to the notion that his actions - or inactions - could reflect on more than just him? And yet, to hear him say it, it didn't occur to him until he mentioned his second - in passing, you might add - that if he didn't escort a woman who was alone on the Mount at night, and something were to happen to her, that he would not be alone in being rebuked? Perhaps he truly was clinging to the notion that it was just him and him alone, that no-one would ever see whatever transpired as reflecting on his Hall or his Guild, but ... that just seems so incredible to you.
Regardless, you must cling to it. If he always did plan an about face - you cannot imagine why, but you still have a hard time accepting that you actually managed to convince the man in the first place - then you doubt that there are any words which will make him genuinely accept you back out on the streets. All that is left to you is to muster and marshal the arguments you plied him with in your first bout. If the concession you wrung from him was genuine, then surely, you must have the means to wring another - especially if you leverage the guilt that he is plainly feeling over this reversal.
“A right sorry wound I may be on your conscience, and your Halls reputation besides, but I couldn't accept such kindness before - and I cannot accept it now, either."
The man at least has the good graces to look bashful. He grasps for words, but you make a point of bulling over him.
"I appreciate your ... continued discretion on my behalf. I appreciate that you have implicated your second and your Hall in the course of your discretion. And I appreciate that if anything were to ... well, you would not be alone in being rebuked, certainly. But what I ask, is for you to <span class="mu-i">appreciate</span> is that no matter what happens, I am going to be rebuked? By mine own father, on account of the hour? And then again and again now, on account of your kindness."
You let him chew on that for half a moment, while you allow yourself a quick glance towards the doors to the dining room. You can just barely hear elevated voices, but you cannot make out anything that they are saying - and aren't like to, not at this distance. Not that you really need to; you can more or less imagine what is being said.
"And right sorry am I -"
