Ade Foxe (dracoferus) wrote in emillion, |
"You can ask me whatever you please," Foxe said. Now was the time for open discussion. Foxe felt it easiest to be honest before danger. Perhaps it was his own way of dispelling nerves, to speak in frank terms and ask such questions.
"But, no, I'm not frightened." After a long moment, he glanced around the camp. "I am concerned for those who may not be quite prepared for the battle. I am hopeful that we will be bringing back a cure. And soon. But I have always been of the belief that I might be tasked with giving my life in the line of duty. I do not fear such a thing."
“I’m a bit more selfish,” Ari said. “I don’t intend to give my life. Or yours, for that matter -- or anyone’s. Since we’re here, we might as well all make it through.” She had never, not even in the most dire of situations, lost anyone yet. “But I do think we can win,” she said. “I’m good at being positive. This ancient guardian has likely never seen the likes of us before.”
Snuggled under cloak and blanket, near the flames, she was almost warm. “Thank you,” she said. “Strangely, I feel better.”
He listened to her, smiling, but unable to be quite so positive. Foxe had seen too much of battle to be that hopeful. He’d had too many friends fall over the course of the years. It was far better, for him, at least, to go into battle expecting the worst and then being pleasantly surprised when things ended up better than initially thought.
“I’m glad to have been of help,” he said, reaching out and resting his hand on her arm for a brief moment. “I’m grateful for the company.”
She smiled at him and told him, "Likewise."