"I never thought they would kill me," he says, and his voice is heavy, heavy, and his gaze goes distant, his brow furrows. "When they took me, I knew. I knew before that. I remember. There only was ever one fate for me. Wheels and wheels and wheels and only one end."

Roland squeezes his eyes shut with a noise that starts as a moan and ends as something frustrated, impatient. "I remember this time. I remember the mountain. I remember that I knew, I knew what was in store for me. But not you."

His eyes snap open and he frowns at Firo, focusing. "I wasn't sure what they'd do with you. I thought I'd never find out. I thought I'd never remember you at all." He looks Firo over, making out what he can, trying to see any bruises or places Firo might be holding himself awkwardly. Evidence of something. "You said you were well, didn't you? Worried, but well enough, otherwise. Have I got that right?"