In some ways Istredd has been helpless, technically he is in the face of Thorne capturing people and controlling them, but he's still always had his magic. The understanding that perhaps he could fight his way out if he needed to, although he prefers to reason. This is what Yennefer's been struggling with, but with access to Abraxan magic. Chaos to them is different from most. It is so integral to their being that he feels empty cut off.
Istredd's mentor was a bad person, but he does remember the times in which Stregobor filled him with confidence or reassurance, and those details are ones that he keeps with him for his own students. Sometimes a single hand on his arm or back did wonders when he was young, so he often mimics that. Wilhelm is his student, his responsibility. He cares for the young man, having come a long way on this end too, with Wilhelm becoming more than just Lucifer's surrogate son.
His own cloak was ripped by Geralt to get him down here safely, not one of his finest moments (although in a way it was, since he survived the cliff). Istredd does not say what his pessimistic mind thinks about that, that they'll die if they don't get out. It's obvious. Their situation is not tenable for long.
"We will. Everyone will be looking for us. All of the Summoned, but all of our factions too." Whether or not people like their factions, the fact is that they are valuable to them. Istredd has no doubt that Thorne will want their Summoned back. They need them. "Lucifer won't let them stop looking." Of that he is positive, especially with Wilhelm here.
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Istredd's mentor was a bad person, but he does remember the times in which Stregobor filled him with confidence or reassurance, and those details are ones that he keeps with him for his own students. Sometimes a single hand on his arm or back did wonders when he was young, so he often mimics that. Wilhelm is his student, his responsibility. He cares for the young man, having come a long way on this end too, with Wilhelm becoming more than just Lucifer's surrogate son.
His own cloak was ripped by Geralt to get him down here safely, not one of his finest moments (although in a way it was, since he survived the cliff). Istredd does not say what his pessimistic mind thinks about that, that they'll die if they don't get out. It's obvious. Their situation is not tenable for long.
"We will. Everyone will be looking for us. All of the Summoned, but all of our factions too." Whether or not people like their factions, the fact is that they are valuable to them. Istredd has no doubt that Thorne will want their Summoned back. They need them. "Lucifer won't let them stop looking." Of that he is positive, especially with Wilhelm here.