He was glad to see the little souls bobbing about, dancing with renewed energy and hope as Ludo called to them, relieved that their cycle of life and death and afterlife was finally back on track. For some it may only have been interrupted by weeks, but for others, those who had been lost within LongNight, who knew how long they had been held back from Mort's realm?
The question had the bard bowing his head, hoping that the masked god wouldn't be too angry with the young warrior woman. "I don't know," he admitted. "But I would guess... that she feels as ashamed and frustrated as I do at not succeeding. Likely far more than me, because Ru'in's soul means far more to her. It may take her some time yet to gather the courage to face you without him."
Ludo's support meant the world to the bard, especially after the trial that Safrin had put him through, and the humiliation of being hobbled by the Voice. His faith in the soul guide hadn't faltered, but his faith in himself had, and the reminder that failing once wasn't the same as failing forever was sorely needed. Better that he had helped some than none.
The talk of lost souls brought another to mind, however. Perhaps even more than one, someday, but for now... "If someone who was Ascended - or an Outlander who arrived Ascended against their will - wished to turn away from the Voice and embrace the old gods, would it be possible for them do so?" he asked hesitantly, thinking of Sam's interest during LongNight of becoming fully human again. "Is there any way to gain those souls back from her?"
The question had the bard bowing his head, hoping that the masked god wouldn't be too angry with the young warrior woman. "I don't know," he admitted. "But I would guess... that she feels as ashamed and frustrated as I do at not succeeding. Likely far more than me, because Ru'in's soul means far more to her. It may take her some time yet to gather the courage to face you without him."
Ludo's support meant the world to the bard, especially after the trial that Safrin had put him through, and the humiliation of being hobbled by the Voice. His faith in the soul guide hadn't faltered, but his faith in himself had, and the reminder that failing once wasn't the same as failing forever was sorely needed. Better that he had helped some than none.
The talk of lost souls brought another to mind, however. Perhaps even more than one, someday, but for now... "If someone who was Ascended - or an Outlander who arrived Ascended against their will - wished to turn away from the Voice and embrace the old gods, would it be possible for them do so?" he asked hesitantly, thinking of Sam's interest during LongNight of becoming fully human again. "Is there any way to gain those souls back from her?"
