Rhy has always been susceptible to guilt and self-doubt, placing too-high expectations on himself; it's not so unusual that there are periods when it gets worse, and with everything that's happened since Nocwich, at first, he doesn't notice. Nightmares plague him often enough, he didn't notice the one that was unusual, didn't linger much on it when other things occupied his waking hours, and those spent asleep are always short and fitful. The little whispers in the back of his mind are more vicious. His mood is more volatile. He fights with Kell, and goes to Nott despite the dangers, giving into the urge to simply get away and ignore what ails him. Cover it up with other things.

The work in Nott should have been fulfilling. Now, he's spending more time helping to replenish supplies and providing potions and elixirs from the castle infirmary, rather than handling the injured directly. When Wilhelm asks to tag along, Rhy agrees without thinking. The boy is easy company. Like a puppy. (He shouldn't think this, but he cannot stop himself.)

He's so obvious, too.

"Do you want to go, Wilhelm?" Rhy turns the question around on him immediately.