It's not so far off from a sentiment Richard had leveled at him (Strapping. Noble.) But it doesn't land easily, and Ellis releases Mhavos' wrist to busy himself with lancing the needle through the little bundle of gauze.

"Something to pass the time," Ellis says first, then continues, "I thought I might try to make sure I can be useful in other ways than heading into a scrap mace-first, but it's slow-going."

A slight smile, a shrug of shoulders.

"Between us, I don't think I'm suited for it."