Gadriel stepped back, nonetheless. He would rather avoid any accusation of impropriety. He would not fall again.

"That looked like Aella." That....witch. Who had mocked him by giving him his Betcher's Glands, instead of what he had asked for. "If this is to be believed..." A very large 'if'. "They have brought us here to attempt to stave off the consequences of their failings." He does not sound surprised.