"The fact that you're aware that it is a fault is welcome." Trying to talk people into behaving logically was a terribly futile endeavor when the other person did not realize that their emotions were preventing them from acting rationally. (And of course Linhardt always acted rationally: He would never be obstinate. All the rumors about how impossible he was to work with and how trying to convince the Hevring heir to do things was a gamble at best were completely wrong and in no way accurate. As was the rumor that even Edelgard and Hubert had switched to bribery.)

"If other people want to leave, we would protect them." People should be allowed to leave, especially civilians. None of them had ever asked for any problems, why should they have to bear the consequences? "But I am not going to stay and risk my life for those who refuse to leave. If they have death wishes, that is their concern." Linhardt had taken the position he had out of personal interest in his colleagues' safety. He had no such personal relationships to risk his life for in Thorne.

"You are not my patient." He insisted, "Consider it professional courtesy I have for whomever is responsible for keeping you from dying." Linhardt would help Kelson, but he didn't want Kelson to know that. That might mean Kelson would give him work.

"Why the sigh?"

Linhardt had found Thorne hospitable enough except for the insistence that he wasn't allowed to leave.