Dead men walking

Talking to them would likely herald a more positive response than Loren would receive from the blighted ex-captain, and Ronin only nodded to acknowledge the librarian's words. He was exhausted, by everything and simply in general, and it was a good thing Ronin was already sitting in bed - it meant when the meeting was over he wouldn't have to make any effort to get back to sleep. "Yes," he said of the tree disease. "I remember it. I think I might have spoken to some of the other Outlanders from Northaven about it, back when the blight first appeared." The 'other Outlanders' mostly being Remi, but the longer Ronin could keep his husband out of this surreal conversation, the better. "What of it?" Accepting the glass with trembling hands, Ronin swore quietly and set it down once again on the beside table, clenching his fists for a moment as if to still the tremors to something less noticeable. It hardly made a difference at this point, but it made him feel better. Finally, he lifted the glass to his lips and took a long drink. "Why did you come back?" he asked eventually. "Why now?" RONIN Darkness is a funny thing. It creeps up on you.