So, the man is smart. Good. This is not nearly the worst that Devin could bring to bear in taking a measure of Fitz's patience and temper, but it's more subtle than the people going after the Fool may be. He knows enough about Fitz to prod at potential wounds.

"People are going to test you whether you like it or not, Fitz," Devin points out, keeping his voice level and his posture relaxed. "Particularly the kind of people that want you to make mistakes to their advantage. I'm interested in your judgement because I want to know if you can look at this situation objectively, and whether you can stay that way when someone gets in your face. A blind man could see how much you care. You're involved, full stop. How you're involved is up to you, if you can keep from doing something rash. I don't need you to like me; I need to have full confidence in your restraint if I take you into a room where some cretin is bragging about leaving your friend battered in an alley."

He looks away with a sigh, relenting a little and taking a step back. "It's fine if you can't keep a level head, and perhaps asking you to try is pointless. But you have to be honest about that, if you truly want to help."