[Geir pauses abruptly. one could, with justice, call what he and Vern are doing at home running away -- they're avoiding Geir's family as best they can, so they don't have to deal with attempts to destroy them while they're trying to figure out what to do next. but that's not cowardice, because... because...]

I don't mean when you have to, or it's good sense. I mean-- I mean-- when...

[what DOES he mean?]

When you're fighting fear, and fear wins, before you have a chance to lose to your opponent.