He was nearly dozing as he relaxed, and Barid suddenly appearing barely got a reaction, only the tiniest of head tilts toward him. After a moment, he selected the memory he wanted to show, before offering it to Barid. "That was the longest 'consistent' time of that three hundred and change years of wandering for your end, more than five millennia for me. Verdelet is leading the beyonders, having somehow survived me and V'elen literally dissolving the top half of her and her beyonder hybrid form. You are trapped on a mockery of one of my inventions, put their by your greatest son, and have been unable to speak or interact with those around you for ten millennia, watching the human race slowly consume itself almost as fast as the beyonders and their cultists can. They are literally manifesting in the realms, Barid, and the metal men are returning, along with new threats that are each as bad as the metal men ever were, and all of them are fighting yours, almost more than each other. Your way is a dead end, no hope, no chance of survival. And that is why, Barid.<br/><br/>You will have everyone abandon defensible positions to keep pulling back, forever delaying the fight even if we might win. That is why you came to the bargaining table to have me join in that first life. You would rather run than go for broke. And I will not help a plan that offers only our eventual defeat. Come up with a better plan, and I will consider changing my stance. Also, your dragon lieutenant has one of my allies in his possession. Please ask him to release her, or tell him that I will be coming, in person, to request it very soon. I will not be leaving without her. Also, give my regards to Orias for the good fight we had, when he respawns, if he hasn't already."