He simply gave the gold a bland stare back. "True, but that doesn't mean they are. Plan for the worst, hope for the best. I am hoping to find survivors, but planning to find none."<br/><br/>At the comment about needing a shield, he actually burst out laughing, before holding up his left forearm, and the odd 'arm jewelry' on it. He concentrated, and then grinned as the magics activated, flashing into existence. "I have been using this since I became the Summer Knight. And it is as good a shield as any of metal or wood I have ever seen. This is perfect for that spell, and likely better than mine of trying to simply 'burst' the spell to give a flash of protection."