Draiss simply raised a single eyebrow, and forcibly restrained his nearly instinctive and cutting response, actually trying to be diplomatic. "I know that, hence why I am going to be hitting the forward elements with a level of force that is best described as excessive. Besides, killing a sorcerer is one thing, killing an archmage will take more than a young adult red dragon. If it was a mature adult, then I wouldn't be nearly so eager to go rushing back out.<br/><br/>Besides, I am much more dangerous now, as I have become an archmage, and my control of my spells has reached a peak that most legendary magic users can only dream of. I intend to never get within five hundred feet of the patrols, and will begin engaging them at a quarter of a mile if not further. All you would be doing is cooling your heels and listening to the orcs and hobogoblins screaming in the distance as my spells tear them apart."<br/><br/>He looked at her, and then leaned on his staff, suddenly looking tired. "Cerul, I am not going to abandon you. I promise that I will come back."<br/><br/>He suddenly perked up as he remembered something, and pulled a small golden scale from his pocket, attached to a leather thong. He held it up for her to see, and then offered it to her. "That scale was one that Vorelanara gave me, as a good luck charm and to remember her. You hold onto this for me when I head out, to make sure I come back."