"Coming close obviously doesn't count much in your estimation," Sparhawk responds. "Usually at your hands, if memory serves."

And when Martel finally takes advantage of Sparhawk's emotional lapse (and how close Sparhawk was to just hitting Martel, just to fill in the silence).

"She was. By Zalasta's son. They took her maid as well, and for each infraction of Ehlana's, they punished Alean. Words or deeds, anything that was less than respectful, by their own definition of respect. Krager learnt his lessons of manipulation well," and Sparhawk's voice quietens as his anger surfaces. Not even the fact that Scarpa was dissolved helps. Sparhawk still feels that he should have been there to prevent it in the first place.