That bit Bariyan managed to dodge, suddenly picking up speed to close the distance between him and Martin. But the cries hit him hard. All the warping was on the surface, so Bariyan could still hear Martin underneath -- Martin, just Martin, the sad child he'd tried to protect through all these months -- and it'd always hurt to hear his children's unhappiness, hadn't it?

He made a grab for Martin's hands, both of them. He knew that was how Martin conjured. But, oh, what did it matter? If Martin wanted to hit him again then so be it. Gods knew Bariyan deserved as much.