"It's difficult when the people you hate are also the people you love, isn't it?" Istredd knows that Lucifer struggles with the same thing with his father and brothers. Hate and fury and betrayal at them, but the desire to be loved by them too. "Not that I would say I love any of them, but I care." Maybe he would say he loved Stregobor once. Enough to betray Yennefer and be his heir of a sort, although some of that was survival tactics too. It took him longer than it should for him to turn against the man.

"I appreciate what you're trying to do here, Lucifer, and you are right, there is no excuse for the way the Brotherhood functions. We're trapped in the cycle, even if I wanted to change the system and help the younger mages, I wouldn't be allowed to. I'm not sure I'd survive the attempt." It is hard to say since people really do not bother. But to attempt any altering of their lifeforce, the only remaining children they can mold into mages, it could be dangerous.

He smiles faintly at him, moving his hand to Lucifer's cheek again. "I like that you care." They both know at this point that Istredd's had very little of that.