He shakes his head in abject denial, too far gone in his wretchedness to think anything is theologically off about the comfort Tuo's offering. The best he can parse is that they're the well-meant words of a friend, honest and kind but oh, so heartbreakingly far from how Vervain understands the truth.

"M, misery follows th--the Profane, for taking what isn't theirs," he says, miserable himself. "Th--they gave me so many chances, Tuo, and I--didn't-- listen--"

The sentence comes apart in weeping. Ver presses a hand to his mouth, biting down on a knuckle to silence himself.

This all could have been prevented if he had only listened.