You put too much stock in others. [ Brusque, matter-of-fact. But Koltira's ears echo in his mind: like you always have. Had Koltira taken that much notice of him? Had it mattered? Hard to imagine for Bariyan, who remained convinced that his opinions had little bearing on anyone or anything here. Not that that has stopped him from trying, anyway.

He pushes on Koltira's shoulder, trying to turn the man back towards him. ]

People will fix on your undeath. You knew -- you know this. But you are a better man than that, Koltira, and the rest will realize the same. Some day. As I did. [ with some distaste: ] Eventually.