Istredd was the last Summoned to get into the room, so Gale's attempt to find him in the start would have been fruitless. He had pre-warning so he was out in the castle before it went down, getting a head count of where all their people were. He only joined the rest once he was certain everyone was in, excluding the three that he hoped no one noticed.

He hasn't had a chance to check in with people because the moment the explosion happened and the wards locked, that became his primary focus. It made sense they would be in there at least a day or two as the conflict went on, but being trapped inside was too dangerous.

"That's enough!" he snaps with enough authority that the Thorne guards listen and stop. He's become known enough in the castle, and teaching gives him that edge. "We are not going to punch our way out." He sighs and rubs a hand down his face, turning to see Gale there.

"They're afraid and not thinking clearly."