One courtesy after another; Alphinaud truly admires the strength of this young one. Under less pressing circumstances, he might insist on swapping their positions, but at present, there is little to be gained from wasted efforts. He bows his head once more, quickly ducking inside where the warmth sets his body aflame, not entirely for the better. Not yet, anyway. The temperature of the air and his body are at odds with one another, and it sharpens the intensity of the chill that envelops him.

His breath still lightly visible for a breath or two as he gasps in the warmth, hunched over with his hands upon his knees, he looks back towards his young companion to ensure that he, too, has made it safely inside.

"My thanks," he huffs, breaking momentarily into a cough. "And my apologies... I did not mean to delay your retreat."