There is, Gai thinks, no small irony in the fact that conflict seems to follow him wherever he goes. Even here, where he thought he could escape it and lead a normal life, it's managed to find him too. It wouldn't bother him so much if it were just him, but he can't help but feel that he's dragging Elizabeth into this against her will, and for that, he feels guilty.

"You don't have to," he tries to reassure her, though he suspects it won't do all that much. "I'll protect you-- I already promised that much. And that's a promise I'm not going to break."