"Is that what you call it," he muses thoughtfully. His pride is obvious enough, and Syrlya doesn't know him well enough to judge it with doubt... but he's very familiar with an outside force trying to rend control of your free will. Some were strong enough to withstand it. Others were not.

"I don't doubt that. I hope your understanding finds a better solution than fear to cope with the dangers other mages seem to have mingling with spirits." Because that isn't a fate he would wish on anyone.