The heart is a strange beast and not ruled by logic.

Exactly. You can shoulder all the blame and become a martyr. Provided anyone knows what or who you're martyring for. Or you can accept that some things are important enough to fight for and realize there will be sacrifices along the way.

Pretty stupid,” I called after his retreating form. “To give up before all possible solutions have been tried.

Back so soon?" he asked. "Too bad. I was just about to organize a search for your dead body. What happened when you knocked on the southerner magician's door to sacrifice yourself? Did they kick you out, thinking you too half-witted to waste their time on?

Oscove?" Valek paused. "He didn't have the stomach for it.

You asked how I can be so calm. I don't have time not to be. I would like to grieve and worry and carry on, but that doesn't achieve results.

Knowledge, whatever the form, could be as effective as a weapon.