Torchline's leaders and many of its citizens were working to ensure that those like Jude could live in relative peace and safety within their region's borders. With Halo and the Hollowed Grounds undertaking much the same, Hadama was optimistic that the regular people would still be able to maintain a semblance of safety and normality while the demigods, leaders, and hero-types (reluctant or otherwise) put themselves at risk for whatever reasons moved them.
But the work was not yet done.
"Indeed. Only three tasks remain," he acknowledged with a tilt of his head. "And then the Arclight will be protected." Then only the Coast would remain, but he was certain that they would be able to pull together for that, too. Jude's optimism, whether forced or not, melted some of the tension from his eyes and his stoic expression eased to a more natural serenity as he considered the young man beside him.
The little laugh and the true words put a faint crinkle to the corners of Hadama's eyes and he inclined his head in silent acknowledgment of that truth - that the last time they had met had been a truly low point in the young man's life. He still did not look happy, but he was not falling apart in rage and frustration at the moment, and the Tidebreaker was content to count that as an improvement. "Edmund will be missed from Torchline," he confirmed with genuine regret in his voice. "I am glad you are keeping in touch with him." But his emerald gaze gleamed with interest at the mention of Safrin. "You have chosen Safrin as well?" he asked curiously. "May I he--"
The words were lost in the sudden cries from the water, and the ease left the King's face as his expression closed off again. He looked sharply to the ocean where several fins cut the water and a low, rumbling hmm emerged from the depths of his broad chest before he finally shook his head and looked back to Jude, nodding for the young man to continue. "Apologies. How was our Lady when you saw her?"
But the work was not yet done.
"Indeed. Only three tasks remain," he acknowledged with a tilt of his head. "And then the Arclight will be protected." Then only the Coast would remain, but he was certain that they would be able to pull together for that, too. Jude's optimism, whether forced or not, melted some of the tension from his eyes and his stoic expression eased to a more natural serenity as he considered the young man beside him.
The little laugh and the true words put a faint crinkle to the corners of Hadama's eyes and he inclined his head in silent acknowledgment of that truth - that the last time they had met had been a truly low point in the young man's life. He still did not look happy, but he was not falling apart in rage and frustration at the moment, and the Tidebreaker was content to count that as an improvement. "Edmund will be missed from Torchline," he confirmed with genuine regret in his voice. "I am glad you are keeping in touch with him." But his emerald gaze gleamed with interest at the mention of Safrin. "You have chosen Safrin as well?" he asked curiously. "May I he--"
The words were lost in the sudden cries from the water, and the ease left the King's face as his expression closed off again. He looked sharply to the ocean where several fins cut the water and a low, rumbling hmm emerged from the depths of his broad chest before he finally shook his head and looked back to Jude, nodding for the young man to continue. "Apologies. How was our Lady when you saw her?"
