[ His only response is to incline his head in agreement with Lantaa. He is unsure how best to put it into words, but if there is only him to look after, that is somehow easier than knowing he is responsible for another's safety. It would upset him very much indeed if Meteion came to harm somehow and he failed to prevent it.

And, aside from that, it would be entirely selfish to allow his own loneliness that still lingers to ask for Meteion's company, even if she offers it freely. Surely Lantaa and Meteion need each other more, and that is reason enough for him to decline. ]

I will do my best to ensure that you do not lose me, to the best of my ability. [ That may not be saying very much, but he knows he has a reason to continue living, and an even greater one for him to return home. As for the notion of faith, well- He has hardly been a shining example of keeping faith, as he has only just begun remembering how one does that. Faith and belief seem to be such elusive concepts, and intangible ones at that.

When he feels Lantaa's gaze move to rest on him, he meets her gaze, but he finds he does not know how to answer Meteion. ] Perhaps it can, but I will be the first to admit that I have not always known how to place such fervent belief in things. [ And he still has quite a ways to go, as far as he is concerned. ]