[ His lips tighten. He looks up at her, meeting her eyes a moment, and then darting his gaze away. ]

She...had a knife to my throat. I was saying anything - any lie that came to mind - to try to get her to spare my life.

[ He spreads his hands miserably. ]

Please, forgive me. I have no strength with which to save my life. All I have is a bit of eloquence. And I fear I used that eloquence brutally - more brutally, even, than she used her sword.