[ 'Reasonably intact' is such a narrowly applicable assessment that it's almost painfully funny, and Diarmuid is helpless to resist the small spark of admiration the man's decisive answer has kindled in his heart; it may only be temporary, but it softens some of the sharp, unwelcoming edges of his disposition. ]

On that it seems we may not find agreement. [ It's hard to have less than nothing. A wry smile turns the corner of his lips, and he adds in the exaggerated tone of a joke at his own expense: ] I must be humbled to have met a truly selfless spirit, if you'd insist on surrendering what you have only to protect my vanity.

[ Be that as it may, their company isn't going to wait around forever. Diarmuid's gaze turns under his lashes to follow a malformed beast crawling above them, then he shifts his grip on Gáe Dearg and takes an easy step back as it drops. ]

But don't say I didn't warn you.