[The front wasn't what he'd meant, but he already feels like this disagreement is his fault for letting his guard down a bit in the first place. Clarifying feels like it will make things worse in the moment. Instead, he exhales.]

Rowntree's head of Forces. If he wants me dead, he has options less messy than a sparring session gone wrong. And it's not ... I never sparred with him while I was still taking lyrium. He's not learning that much from me. Come and watch sometime if you want, see if you disagree with my assessment.

[They're prodding at something he's almost surprised to find is sore. On the other hand ... he doesn't think Keen has any reason to worry that he wouldn't have had even if Vanya had said no to Rowntree.]