Hadama could guess at some of the reasons, but without speaking to the Stalwart he could not be sure. The pressures of leadership, his own tendency to shoulder as much of the burden as he could, the fracturing of Harper's home life during his stint as King... No one thing had been responsible, but many things striking at once. But the result had been a rift between them that the Tidebreaker would not push until Harper was ready.
The Stalwart had left. Hadama had written to tell him that they were still friends, but it would be up to the Stalwart to return when and if he was ever ready to. Until then, the former-Mer would wait for him.
"Indeed," was all he said in quiet response.
They finished their projects around the same time, Hadama giving the stones their final polish with a soft cloth while Maea let the ring cool. They each examined their creations with critical eyes, but it was the Ancient who surprised the demigod as she offered the ring with its coruscating colors of metal. Hadama accepted it with a blink of surprise followed by a slow, warm smile. "Thank you, Maea," he murmured, taking the ring with careful hands and turning it around to admire it. "It is beautiful." It had been sized for Harper's finger, but Hadama found it slid comfortably onto his pinky and sat snugly gleaming against his brown skin. "Please let me know when you want to make another." Perhaps the next ring would suit the Stalwart better.
The Stalwart had left. Hadama had written to tell him that they were still friends, but it would be up to the Stalwart to return when and if he was ever ready to. Until then, the former-Mer would wait for him.
"Indeed," was all he said in quiet response.
They finished their projects around the same time, Hadama giving the stones their final polish with a soft cloth while Maea let the ring cool. They each examined their creations with critical eyes, but it was the Ancient who surprised the demigod as she offered the ring with its coruscating colors of metal. Hadama accepted it with a blink of surprise followed by a slow, warm smile. "Thank you, Maea," he murmured, taking the ring with careful hands and turning it around to admire it. "It is beautiful." It had been sized for Harper's finger, but Hadama found it slid comfortably onto his pinky and sat snugly gleaming against his brown skin. "Please let me know when you want to make another." Perhaps the next ring would suit the Stalwart better.
