Artemis sighed, a small, annoyed growl in his throat, "Are you even listening? He's coming for me--he's insisting he teaches me. Insisting. It would be even worse if I tried to run, yes?"

The boy leaned back against the tree. He was obviously troubled. Yes, he'd understood the risks of the situation, but staying the way he was wasn't an option. The fastest way to learn how to fight for a bucket of water was to light your pants on fire. If Artemis was constantly afraid of screwing up in front of Farfarello, he wouldn't screw up. He'd learn faster from an unforgiving teacher than one who would hold his hand.

"What do you suggest I do, then? Throw myself down a flight of stairs?"