[ his expression is like the glassy surface of the lake, or the first few rays of moonlight peeking out beyond the clouds. understated, but with something underneath. ]

Is self-defense not a good reason? [ a joke clearly inspired by the last trial, because he laughs. ]

He thought I was going about this all wrong and I thought he was a traitor. We were the only two attendants left, so it was only a matter of time before one of us won. But to put it more simply than that, I needed his power too.