Niles looked up at Gabe, an arm still around his waist, just wanting that comfort to stay. But that look in the other's face cuts it far too short. And suddenly he finds it difficult to find his voice again. That hiss, that rage. He tried to grab Gabe before he could get too far away, but he was too slow. And Niles was left feeling cold and hollow.

Panic. The tiniest shard of memory lodging in his conscious mind like a piece of glass. Brittle and cutting, but indistinct. Something about Gabe charging off triggered it, and he just knew he couldn't let his friend leave.

"Stop," he called out, rising to his feet. "Nolan's already on it. As are several of my men. I sent them to find them as soon as I got back. There's only so many places for bandits to hide. Please, just...stay here. With me." He reached an unsteady, leather-covered hand out to the young man.