The uncomfortable sensation that Sparhawk can still read him probably comes right along with the two of them interacting on a footing other than warlike; he concedes the point he hadn't argued aloud with a tilt of his head and wryly, silently thinks that when he was trumpeting how well he knew the other man, he'd overlooked the fact Sparhawk knows him just as well. Martel the man is just as much of a bastard, let's face it, but he was a friend, once.

...and that is quite a punishment.

"I'd say Khwaj took a few enormous leaps," he says eventually, half-admiring, of the steps taken. Sweet God, that is the sort of tale you pause a man beforehand, isn't it? He tries to imagine it (and considering how many times he's accidentally set himself on fire, it's a little too close for comfort), and then shakes his head. "Hell. Eternity burning. I'm beginning to think I got off awfully light."

Yes, so, it sounds like Martel is finding his footing again after that humiliating show of (emotion, vulnerability, genuine care) weakness.