"Could not."

Because that wasn't what Cairbre had been trying to say.

"Do not have to forgive," Cairbre says, redirecting the conversation. "Anger understandable. Should have paid closer attention to Harrogate. Didn't. Not until friend acted according to idiom. Too late to act. Too late to summon chosen. Could not come in person. Not with Crawling Chaos. Trusted Magician to keep hold of friend. Not to let stay double dead."