"I'm scared too. Moira says we have a chance of getting out of this is we stay, and no chance if we leave." She paused. "But I think you knew that."

"That's the way these things usually go," he said, with a deep sigh. He put down his roll. "The trouble is, I'm afraid that if they start knocking around up here, someone's going to catch on that I'm kind of a repeat offender and then I have no chance either way."

Barbara nodded. "Moira said that she couldn't say either way what would happen if we stay. But I can't.. I can't save you if it turns out badly." She said, quietly. "And.. Marcello's a seer. He can see things that are certain, but he can't see the future. I told him. He thinks that I'm a coward, and that I should go plead with your mother to do something."

"Yeah, does Marcello want to do any good pleading with my mother? He's welcome to it. My ass will be long gone." He scowled again.

"I could." She replied, tentative. "There's a storm coming in, it'll be dangerous to go out to the ship and we'll just make ourselves seasick. But I could go back to the College and be back by nightfall."

Maitiu suddenly looked panicked. "Don't, please." He reached out to touch her arm. "Look, let's just leave it, what? I just want to get out of here. Imagine your mother being disappointed with you times a million. I want to avoid that scene."

"But what if she could help?" Lang insisted. "If she could help, you could live with her disappointment." She said with certitude.

"She's the High Bard," he said flatly. "They give her permission to bend rules because they know she won't."

Barbara pulled back a little and sighed. "Alright. I tried telling Marcello to order Moira not to send the letter." She tried. "He refused, because of the whole coward thing." She paused, looking defeated. "I tried everything."

"Babs, you . . . " He shook his head, helpless. "You don't have to try. I don't want to go back anymore. I haven't for years. I haven't really felt like a bard since Leannan died." He watched her face to see if he could get away with mentioning the man. "The only thing I want is to make sure the kid's all right. Other than that, there's nothing tying me here."