[ He shakes off the concern but she will not have it, stubborn in her own way as she fixes him with a look that says I am in the middle of worrying, do not disturb me, thank you very much. Her hands remain with his, fingers still probing with their concern, their touch a strange mix of concern and something a bit more imploring, like his presence is a sudden comfort. ]

I— [ Are you okay? He asks and her first impulse is to say no and burst into tears (comfort has that affect on her, making her complacent and soft), but that's a weak response, a needy one. Everyone was doing their part and so was Alayne; she needed to be strong. Ivory, if not steel. Instead of crying she lets out a strained breath that sounds like unhappy laugh. ] This place is so strange, so very confusing, and I—

Lady is lost and I cannot find her, though I've dreamt about her sniffing amongst the dead. My dearest friend Marius has been overtaken by these medicines and— [ And there are so many dead, some of them children. And I am doing harm to others so that I may do right by those I love. And I pushed away someone I only wish to hold close. And I don't know who I'm meant to be anymore.

Alayne shakes her head dumbly. ] —it's all so much.

It seems to selfish to call upon you and have you come all this way under the threat of harm, but— I didn't know who else to talk to. Please forgive me.