Estinien's barely focusing on the movements of his hands now. They're sliding up and down in a slow rhythm, his mind somewhere far distant. "Perhaps, at the end of all this, he may see your death as a mercy to deny you."

As Nidhogg had denied him death's mercy, choosing to instead turn him into a tool of vengeance - and ironically, of his own children's salvation. Estinien at least takes his joys in how much the great wyrm would hate what has become of both their people now.