Outside

Bark just grunts, Cessie's admonitions confirming his suspicions. She was the mage of the family then, and the one to be watched.

Harnel's leaving makes things easier, as Bark would have had to divide his attention between the threat of fire and the threat of magic had he stayed.

No doubt if this mage learned of their connection, she'd wish to pick up where the old wizard had left off. He would not allow that to happen.