"Clearly." He gazes up at her, intently, urgently. "Milady, let me help. You're in a hell of a situation - this Handmaiden of yours, too, whoever she is - and your enemy in this is my enemy also. Tell me what is going on, and I'll do the best I can for you. What function does the Key serve - why wasn't it backed up before - what in God's green ninety hells was the ba doing trying to copy it now, by such an absurdly risky method?"