Barel is a absolute fricking tragedy in Gerrard's eyes. She's obviously had something happen to her that has ended up with horrific burns, and now she feels she has to hide her face and is paralytically afraid of fire. It's a horrid waste of a precocious talent, and he wishes dearly that the accident hadn't happened.

She showed that she not only has powerful ability, but that she knew how to use it well. She always had "a bit more" mana when he asked, and wasn't afraid to put herself into fights with no weapon to protect her. He was very pleased she was around, and never happier than when she finally raised her eyes level while not wearing a mask.