At Vervain's last request, Tuo visibly flinches as though struck, and reaches up a hand to cover his mouth. His eyes are very wide with horror, before he shakes his head and steps away from Dain's side.

"I shall do no such thing," he insists, his voice unsteady, "because if you insist on going, then I shall go with you. To make sure that you make it back down the mountain again, hale and whole."

This is a terrible idea.