Tryin' to wash away all the blood I've spilt
This lust is a burden that we both share
This lust is a burden that we both share
The pat on the head had, of course, contributed to the soldier's embarrassment - not because he minded, really, but because he didn't. But it was Maea's words that truly brought color to Liam's cheeks. He strove to be kind, because the world so rarely was; but to hear that he'd succeeded in so startlingly clear a way - it was more than he'd been expecting, and it brought him no small amount of joy.
To hear of Maea's magic was sobering, though, if only because the wistfulness on her face made it clear just how much she missed it. Liam had never really thought much about it before, but it sounded like Ancient magic lacked the variety of other magic. Growing up, magic had always been something to abhor, a sign that the gods had turned away from someone. But now, knowing Maea, and others with access to it... Liam had to admit that it didn't seem like such a curse after all. "I'm sorry," he said, meaning it. "It must be difficult, to have that part of you lost." He wasn't sure what he'd do, if it were him, and he'd been changed so completely.
But Maea shifted the tone of the conversation, and Liam blinked, considering. It was a possibility, of course, that they could draw the Family's ire by trying to put the Greatwood back on the map. And without alliances, without a population, without any of the things that made the other regions sustainable... "I suppose I'd fight for it," he said solemnly. He was under no illusions: if he fought the Family, he would die, and there was nothing in this world that could stop that outcome. But he was tired of running, and if he truly made the Greatwood his home... then he would be honored to die in its defense.
To hear of Maea's magic was sobering, though, if only because the wistfulness on her face made it clear just how much she missed it. Liam had never really thought much about it before, but it sounded like Ancient magic lacked the variety of other magic. Growing up, magic had always been something to abhor, a sign that the gods had turned away from someone. But now, knowing Maea, and others with access to it... Liam had to admit that it didn't seem like such a curse after all. "I'm sorry," he said, meaning it. "It must be difficult, to have that part of you lost." He wasn't sure what he'd do, if it were him, and he'd been changed so completely.
But Maea shifted the tone of the conversation, and Liam blinked, considering. It was a possibility, of course, that they could draw the Family's ire by trying to put the Greatwood back on the map. And without alliances, without a population, without any of the things that made the other regions sustainable... "I suppose I'd fight for it," he said solemnly. He was under no illusions: if he fought the Family, he would die, and there was nothing in this world that could stop that outcome. But he was tired of running, and if he truly made the Greatwood his home... then he would be honored to die in its defense.
Two sinners can't atone from a lone prayer
Souls tied, intertwined by our pride and guilt
Souls tied, intertwined by our pride and guilt
Liam
