”Too many!” was his wry reply to her question about gods. ”Some good, some bad, most somewhere in between. A few lost, or killed along the way. And one but recently born…” His expression faltered, momentarily settling into grim lines as his eyes took on a far-away look, seeing some other place, some other time.
He had to take a figurative step back from a mental chasm, dragging his attention with effort to the present and his lovely conversation partner. She had her own tragic past, one which he regretted for her sake but which provided a suitably powerful distraction to shake off his own demons. The loss of his parents still hurt, but there had been so many lives lost that, even if it was his fault, the wounds were not as fresh or deep as others.
He didn’t sway away as she stepped closer, but he did raise a brow as he looked down at the blonde woman, curious about her intentions. Her sympathy was unexpectedly welcome; for all he rarely spoke of his family they shared that loss and it made her words easier to accept than those of others. He nodded grave acknowledgment of her condolences, lips twitching wryly as his loss of magic was included in that. ”Perhaps it’s for the best,” he murmured. "Things are… very different here. Different rules. Different gods. There is much I’m still adapting to… and, perhaps, I had grown to rely too heavily on my magic and enchantments. In some ways, losing them is like starting fresh; stripped to my essence and finding the core of who I still am, rather than what I used to be.” If only it were that simple.
Her offer was endearing, and won a smile from the tall lorekeeper. He reached up to brush back a tress of white hair and tuck it behind his ear as he considered it with due gravitas before answering. ”I know some,” he admitted. ”Not… a lot. More book-knowledge than practical. Diagnosis rather than treatment.” His smile turned lopsided and he found a spark of eagerness at the thought of learning something new and adding to his skills. ”So in that regard, I would be honored to study with you, mistress Isla. Even if you are just trying to get an extra pair of hands to help in the infirmary!” Blue eyes twinkled as he turned to gentle teasing to hide the faint tremor of fear in the back of his thoughts. It was one thing to offer information and hypothetical knowledge, to let others take responsibility for the lives of friends and those depending on them. Quite another to take up the burdens he had been running from for several years, to be depended on again, and accept the lives of others once more into his hands.
He had to take a figurative step back from a mental chasm, dragging his attention with effort to the present and his lovely conversation partner. She had her own tragic past, one which he regretted for her sake but which provided a suitably powerful distraction to shake off his own demons. The loss of his parents still hurt, but there had been so many lives lost that, even if it was his fault, the wounds were not as fresh or deep as others.
He didn’t sway away as she stepped closer, but he did raise a brow as he looked down at the blonde woman, curious about her intentions. Her sympathy was unexpectedly welcome; for all he rarely spoke of his family they shared that loss and it made her words easier to accept than those of others. He nodded grave acknowledgment of her condolences, lips twitching wryly as his loss of magic was included in that. ”Perhaps it’s for the best,” he murmured. "Things are… very different here. Different rules. Different gods. There is much I’m still adapting to… and, perhaps, I had grown to rely too heavily on my magic and enchantments. In some ways, losing them is like starting fresh; stripped to my essence and finding the core of who I still am, rather than what I used to be.” If only it were that simple.
Her offer was endearing, and won a smile from the tall lorekeeper. He reached up to brush back a tress of white hair and tuck it behind his ear as he considered it with due gravitas before answering. ”I know some,” he admitted. ”Not… a lot. More book-knowledge than practical. Diagnosis rather than treatment.” His smile turned lopsided and he found a spark of eagerness at the thought of learning something new and adding to his skills. ”So in that regard, I would be honored to study with you, mistress Isla. Even if you are just trying to get an extra pair of hands to help in the infirmary!” Blue eyes twinkled as he turned to gentle teasing to hide the faint tremor of fear in the back of his thoughts. It was one thing to offer information and hypothetical knowledge, to let others take responsibility for the lives of friends and those depending on them. Quite another to take up the burdens he had been running from for several years, to be depended on again, and accept the lives of others once more into his hands.
