"I don't know about that," Barcus says softly. "Compassion and wisdom aren't the same thing. Sometimes they even run counter to one another. But thank you."

He takes a couple wary steps deeper into the pool, sinking up to his collarbones. "Anyway, my point is I could hardly offer the benefit of the doubt to someone who harmed me personally and then refuse it to someone who hasn't, just because of what? Risk? Uncertainty?" He shrugs.

"Sooner or later, maybe someone will want to pull me aside and explain whatever it was you've done. Maybe it will be more than my moral compass can handle, or maybe not. Maybe I'll even have to stand up to you some day, as I did with Wulbren, but I won't hate you for it. I couldn't."