[ It's a little unfortunate that the chill of that cynicism is touching Michel today, too. He can't really assert something more positive at the moment.

He's still trying. But things are looking worse by the day. ]

Better than acting in ignorance. [ And if they're dividing along lines of loyalty, better to know that now. ] Given the numbers... now we know that it might be more practical to fall back to an easier location to defend. Protecting the root towns may not be worthwhile.