Monterys turned his head in the direction of the voice, slightly taken aback by her concern. Too, there was something else in her voice that he could not quite identify. What did it matter to her? Did she find it amusing? Was this but a game to her? Perhaps he ought to have been moved, but her sudden interest in his well being placed him on guard instead. But hold, was she offering him a way out in speaking of hope? Was it a trick?
"It's these walls," he replied defiantly with as much strength as he could muster. "And the chill of this place. They have a voice of their own, it would seem. There is frailty to yours as well. That's what being here does to you. It robs you of your strength, it does. But I have never been one to give up hope."