"I was, I was too young, at the time. Still training, still training. Had b-been sequestered, cloistered, kept away from the p-public. It was when, it was when the Ord—the, the monastic order was trying, trying to hide me, keep me out of public eye. For my own protection, yes?"
The Professor stumbled over his words as he tried to remember the point he was going to make.
"My master, my master brought me to the emissary. Discussed my training. If, if, if I wasn't lame, I m-may, I may have been a suitable candidate. My master was devoted, was devoted to our... organization, and, and was older than, than the emissary. He couldn't be chosen. But, but, but I was young then. Young enough. But, I'm lame."