Michael gives her a flat look, playing along with the teasing. First of all, he wouldn't go carving his feelings into a tree for all to see, he would do a more precise job of carving it if he did, and that's not the nature of the relationship between archangel and vessel—it'd make a neat, tidy, and easy to understand package if it were. Claire knows all this, though, so there's no point to arguing with the question.

He gives her work an approving nod. That looks much better.

"At least it was worth coming out here, even if we don't find this special tree."

He's sure they will find it, though. It's just a matter of walking. Maybe that's all part of the ritual, the 'journey' to find one of the materials.

"I don't know Thorne's new leadership well enough to answer that. If they're being at all strategic about this, it's unwise to start a war on two fronts. They'd have a much greater battle on their hands if they united Solvunn and the Free Cities by attacking them at the same time. I believe we're at greater risk if Thorne successfully conquers the Cities."