There's little else left to us, I suspect. [ He makes a face at that, because he hates having to say that. It feels far too much like giving up. ] Unless we can find a different path, although I know how carefully we must tread, for your sake.

[ A pause, as he stretches his hands out beside him in a shrug. ] It sounds a complicated mess all around. But it doesn't sit right with me not to at least try.