[Snow's voice and hackles are still raised. He doesn't even stop to think about how personal this might be for Baralai, or even consider the implications behind his words.]

How about knowing what the hell you're getting into before you do anything? You're supposed to be a Scholar, aren't you? What kind of Scholar throws himself to possible death without even knowing what will happen if he does?

[Hope. That's the obvious answer in Snow's head: Hope is that kind of scholar, that kind of researcher. He can't go through losing someone like that again. Even if Baralai's still practically a stranger and is nowhere near as close to him as Hope is, it's no different in Snow's eyes.

He lowers his voice, speaking slowly and evenly now in order to make sure that he's understood.] Your life is worth more than this.