He manages to offer his own slight smile in return for that, though it's hard to maintain. She's right, they haven't heard anything, and it's been enough to push him further and further towards rashness. How could he live with himself if he left this girl for dead? If he didn't even try?

And yet, now he's done everything his could, with no results to be seen. He's not sure which feeling is worse - not trying hard enough, or trying his hardest, with equally little success.

"I'm beginning to fear the worst has taken place," he says to her softly. His arm sways, suspended in its shackle. "The Duchess herself said the High Mage would easily murder us, if it would bring him any closer to his goals. We are... nothing to him."

He closes his eyes, flinching as he feels his gut wrench with emotion.

"But why... why of all sacrifices, did it have to be her?"