I suppose the Veil is likely to blame for my difficulties, ( a bit reflectively, considering her. ) I've found only a few things that simply can't be done; for the most part, it's a matter of accounting for how much more effort I'm obliged to expend to achieve my end.

I don't rely on sorcery so much that it's an issue urgently needing surmounting.

( not a criticism of anyone who would - martel is hardly in a position to criticise someone for using magic - but a frank assessment of his own situation. he can afford to do this because the magic he uses is not something he requires to serve as he does, as he intends to. )