"Yes, but if you do kill me then you'll have to deal with Tim all on your own. And between you and me-" Martin says as he settles himself at the base of the dais, as if this man sipping tea didn't just threaten him. "He makes terrible tea and he can get a bit surly when he's unhappy." And their captors are counting on the Archivist doing their job for them, as if using someone else as the tool of execution will somehow make them less responsible for the death of two scholars.

Martin is very determined to survive and he plans to drag Tim along with him if only to spite the people responsible for destroying everything.

"I'm not sure what they left us for medicine but I'll try and unchain your hands so you have a chance to heal up. I'm afraid I'll have to secure them again at the end of the day but at least that way you can have a bit more freedom." It's a pitiful offer but it's the only thing he has to use as a bargaining chip. "And I can bring you things you might want, as long as they're inside the Archives."