[ Messmer listens, gazing down at Verso quietly. He doesn't know how he can properly convey to him the state of his homeland, in no small part because he hasn't seen it himself in an age. The Lands Between are no place for an outsider, especially one without Grace, and Messmer himself is widely loathed. If, by some miracle, he did return, he has no doubt that the populace would call for his head. Perhaps they would even be ordered to do so by Marika herself, he thinks glumly.

Despite Verso's words, he still shakes his head. ]

... The very land itself hath been severed by Mother's power - untethered from the world, and concealed behind a veil of shadow. Thou couldst swim at the horizon for a hundred years and arrive nowhere but the coast whence thou first leapt.

[ there's more keeping him from leaving than simple loyalty - though that loyalty is what binds him most. He can't imagine Verso there. He can't imagine bearing that responsibility, no matter how much Verso insists it's his choice. All he can foresee is misery. ]

I cannot bring thee, Verso, [ he says, gently, even sorrowfully. Still, there's an additional issue here. ] ... Nor will I suffer thee thy fate. I pray thee call upon another here. Thou art a man fair and well-liked by all - thou wilt be gladly harbored.