The tone in her voice makes his heart feel cold. She's scared... She's never scared. Even if he knows his arms can't do anything to protect her, he still wanted to hold her, shield her... She doesn't deserve any of this.

He reaches up to stroke her face gently and tuck her hair behind her ears before he takes his staff. Part of him still remembers that physical gestures didn't really help her, and all of him still doesn't care. "We'll take the short cut."