"Gentled, gentled!" He quirked up an eyebrow, but for a guy starting to sport a rather scraggly beard (don't ask), he leaves it at that, studiously examining the frayed ends for any that really did need trimming, versus those which would hold up for longer still.

Conversationally, he adds:

"The Bessis mentioned the Don here in Taravast traded magic technology to the dead lords, to have a blind eye turned toward Taravast itself. Taravast does pride itself on its magic." He pauses, looking up to the ghostly scholar, to Lily as well. "Ellethia's loss was a decrease in competition and in potential curbing of the dead storm rising."