Staffs and Shadows

Markos imploringly raised his hand. He watched the mage carefully as he continued his explanation. "And to do that just then, is something that overtaxes our bodies and knocks us out for hours or days." 

What is really making him react like a jealous child? Markos wondered as he saw Vladimar's jaw tighten. 

Vladimars looked doubtful, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. "And yet, you have the energy to do what you describe with the goddess for what sounds like an age," his words sharp and bitter. 

Vladimars's biting words struck Markos with the hard realization of the true feeling behind it all. It's because he is jealous. He realized.