It wasn't until her comment about a woman needing a man to protect her that his angry glower twisted into abject incredulity. That was so far from his actual reasons for doing this that he couldn't even fathom where the accusation was coming from.

Also, he didn't know what 'gallivanting' meant, but he could assume from her tone that it was intended to be derisive. And that pissed him off, because she wasn't the only person here with combat experience.

"No, you idiot," he hissed. "Someone who knows not the city needs someone who does to make them safe. If we are in Bastan, then I think you will protect me. I don't need you here because I am not so stupid to try to fight out there and get hurt.

"And I fight in the war, too. I scout Bastan when you go to rescue the Spenta. You think the Ahura did nothing? You think the people with him did nothing?

"If you don't need me, fine. Go fight through the city, get killed because you think Pakerion is Everea. I don't care." He turned on his heel and stalked off, following the light tracks in the darkened hallway toward the stairs.

The tirade did not leave him feeling any better. It just left him feeling angry and stupid. Couldn't get his feelings across properly in a language he hadn't mastered, couldn't swallow his pride long enough to admit he was upset that Eileen kept saying she didn't care about him and didn't want to be friends with him anymore, and would rather leave first than risk her walking out on him. It also hurt to know how badly she'd misjudged his character and how worthless she apparently thought he was.

He was starting to wish he'd known a different healer to call in.