LOREN
Maybe Loren would be the first, and only, to remind Remi that his actions were not just kind, they were courageous. But if the Launceleyn had to he’d keep reminding the other man of that fact until even the modest alchemist believed it. That could wait for another day: for now, they had these hidden rooms to deal with. As Remi protested that they didn’t need to do anything about the doors, the summoner sighed and ran a hand through his hair. ”You asked me how I wanted to do it, so I gave you what I thought was the best approach.” Then his mind registered the other man’s posture, and Loren’s eyes narrowed. ”Are you okay?” The concern in his voice was apparent, but though he shifted his weight from side to side, he couldn’t bring himself to approach the alchemist.Staring at the door, the librarian bit his lip, silent for a long moment. ”You’re just assuming the LongNight monsters can’t get through.” Sighing again, Loren leaned against the wall. ”Fine. I will trust your judgment. For now. Can you at least show me the other doors so that I know where they are?” At the very least they seemed to be hidden through mundane, rather than magical means. That would make barricading them easier.
Then something else Remi said fully registered to the summoner. Turning to the other man with haunted eyes, Loren smiled sadly. ”You know, I was thinking about making a safe space for the Abandoned as well. But not locked doors, hidden away where no one, not even those they were designed to protect could find them. Something else. Somewhere they could gather, and be themselves, be free, even if no one else would welcome them.” Looking down, he hugged himself. ”Us. Me.” He didn’t know what shape it would take, or even if it was feasible. However, if he figured out the answers to those elusive questions, he’d build it with his own two hands if he had to.
A beggar's book
outworths
a noble's blood
