Had Conlan voiced his thoughts, it would have stunned him; Ordhan had considered his friend far more cynical than even himself, and that there would be anything Conlan held with more reverence than Ordhan did, he would have hardly believed it. Perhaps it would have shocked him more to realize that he was the son of Captain Angus--an honorable man, like a sterner Nathaniel, and one who had despised Ordhan.
It was yet another thing to lie in the graveyard of things left unsaid, that may never be said. Both, no doubt, had buried much here.
At least this one thing would not be interred, as little comfort as that seemed at the moment. "No," answered Ordhan cautiously, wishing that it was something so petty. The urge to keep skirting the issue was strong, but Ordhan knew his way with words left much to be desired--getting to the matter as quickly as possible was the only reasonable approach. "I have kept something for you from....from a very long time ago. I am not certain why I did not return it to you, before. I am very sorry." Though his voice was calm, he made no move to offer what he spoke of--the only sign of his apprehension.