Sparhawk may be drunk, but he's still sober enough to understand what Martel is telling him. And really, Sparhawk thinks, why should he think differently? What Martel is saying is making sense, and really, when you think about it uncluttered by old hatreds, it's reasonable.

"Because I thought I knew you, brother. Because I thought I knew how you thought, and how you would react to me. The same way that you had always done. But I was wrong."

It doesn't cost him anything to say that.

"I would be grateful for your help in finding this portal."