He had been King long enough to learn when to keep his own hurt close to his chest. To not reveal it, when it could be used by others against him. Or when he knew that his own pain would only make the unhappiness of his friends worse. But with no way to be certain when Vox was listening in - when the Family could eavesdrop on their very thoughts - it was not a matter of trust in the women at his side today.
It was paranoia, pure and simple. But paranoia with cause. Concern that they might not share what he told them in confidence with others that they trusted in turn, but that they would think of it in a place or a time when Vox could pluck the plans from their heads.
If he could not trust himself to keep that information safe, how could he trust them?
It was one more blade to lay at the feet of the Family as he watched as they avoided his gaze. As Maea flushed and Thal flinched. And he breathed slowly and deeply and tucked the emotions that moved in his chest deeper. Tighter. Nestled close against his grief over Seren and Nysadeia. Outrage over the murder of Flora. The repeated attacks on Torchline. On Halo.
And he sipped his tea and pretended he had not seen. Hoped that someday they might forgive him, even if they would not agree with his decision. "Ludo's Woods are closest," he noted quietly. "We can search there, and I can take us all to Frey's Breath tomorrow?" It would take some region-hopping, but he could shift one person at a time with him across the width of Caido to reach the Climb so long as neither woman became warp-sick.
It was paranoia, pure and simple. But paranoia with cause. Concern that they might not share what he told them in confidence with others that they trusted in turn, but that they would think of it in a place or a time when Vox could pluck the plans from their heads.
If he could not trust himself to keep that information safe, how could he trust them?
It was one more blade to lay at the feet of the Family as he watched as they avoided his gaze. As Maea flushed and Thal flinched. And he breathed slowly and deeply and tucked the emotions that moved in his chest deeper. Tighter. Nestled close against his grief over Seren and Nysadeia. Outrage over the murder of Flora. The repeated attacks on Torchline. On Halo.
And he sipped his tea and pretended he had not seen. Hoped that someday they might forgive him, even if they would not agree with his decision. "Ludo's Woods are closest," he noted quietly. "We can search there, and I can take us all to Frey's Breath tomorrow?" It would take some region-hopping, but he could shift one person at a time with him across the width of Caido to reach the Climb so long as neither woman became warp-sick.
