Liraeth listened as the Knight began to verbally excoriate himself. He blamed himself clearly, for both what has happening to him as result of the curse that had been placed upon him, as well as whatever had happened back at the castle. He watched as he pushed himself to the point of pain, his brow furrowed in concentration, blood trickling from his clenched fists, hissing in pain.

He almost spoke without thinking.

"You're hurting yourself! Sto-" He caught the words before they were fully formed in his mouth. The Knight let out a deep breath, and finished his castigation. The danger of pushing his fragile mind too far passed for the moment at least.

Liraeth hummed with a quiet rage. He was angry at himself for almost slipping up and saying something that would compel the Knight to act against his will. But he was even more angry that this man still felt any shred of loyalty or allegiance to the person who had likely had this done to him. They most certainly did not deserve any shred of compassion or respect in Liraeth's mind. 

It was like watching a whipped dog pine faithfully at their master's heels.

"You don't have to apologise for anything! Not to me at least, and certainly not to-" The indignant anger on the Knight's behalf that had been building up inside of Liraeth erupted for a moment, before he stopped himself once again. The Knight's psyche was probably fragile enough as it was, it would not benefit from Liraeth dumping the likely truth of the matter out now in an impassioned rant. 

He breathed, closed his eyes and put his free hand to massage the bridge of his nose. When Liraeth opened them again, he could see the sun was low in the sky. They had only made it a few miles from the castle, they would have to find shelter in the forest tonight. When he spoke again he made sure to look the Knight in his eyes. 

"We should find somewhere to make camp for the night, there are some things I think I need to tell you. I had been withholding them as I did not wish to distress you. But suffice to say for now, that you are not useless." He gave the Knight a wide smile, his mismatched eyes lighting up in the fading twilight. "And even if you were, you would still deserve my kindness and aid." 

He struck right off of the side of the road, picking his way through the gnarled mossy trees, following the downward slope of the land. He could faintly hear run the distant sound of running water, there must be river or stream in that direction. It would make a good a spot as any for them to make camp.

"Though if you no longer wish me to call you by your title, Sir Tenth of Knights, perhaps I can just call you by your name instead then?"