[Guilt again, sharper this time, the slide of a knife between the ribs, twisting to make it hurt. It is easier to fear that which is not well understood, and he knows it's a phrase that applies to him. Feels it like a swift chastisement.
He's made more effort lately, this he knows. All that time spent with Salim and Aisha, their combined efforts with the aqueducts; he supposes it has worn away the edges of his wariness. Done something to dull the quick, ugly curl of fear he's always felt in the face of magic. One can't fraternize, day in and day out, with magicians only to learn nothing at all.]
Hmm. Quite so.
[Words muttered noncommittally, quickly skipped over in favour of the question. A keenness to leave that subject behind them, for now.]
I came from Vesuvia. [He says it with the casual assurance of one who expects to be understood, as though it's a name the other man ought to know.] Last I recall, I'd been up at the palace. I don't, in fact, have any recollection of stopping to sleep...
no subject
He's made more effort lately, this he knows. All that time spent with Salim and Aisha, their combined efforts with the aqueducts; he supposes it has worn away the edges of his wariness. Done something to dull the quick, ugly curl of fear he's always felt in the face of magic. One can't fraternize, day in and day out, with magicians only to learn nothing at all.]
Hmm. Quite so.
[Words muttered noncommittally, quickly skipped over in favour of the question. A keenness to leave that subject behind them, for now.]
I came from Vesuvia. [He says it with the casual assurance of one who expects to be understood, as though it's a name the other man ought to know.] Last I recall, I'd been up at the palace. I don't, in fact, have any recollection of stopping to sleep...