[ It's then that Aymeric remembers that reports still arrive for him, delivered to the house from the headquarters of the Temple Knights. By rights, he should be in said headquarters himself, receiving the reports directly, but circumstances have not lended themselves well to that.

He is confident that his second in command has things well in hand; perhaps by now, she has taken the position of Lord Commander in his stead. He would not begrudge her that, nor see it as usurping his position. ]

Perhaps you can tell me more about these settlements, and I will see about ensuring that aid is sent to them as you suggested. We- I have been rather amiss in keeping apprised of certain affairs. The settlements are just one of those affairs.

[ He knows that he has work to do, and a great deal of it, but he is certain she'll insist he must wait a little while longer before resuming his duties.

For now, he contents himself with holding her, paying little or no heed to his wound, even if she does. He wants to hold her, wants to comfort her... wants to tell her that he loves her just as much now as he did before. And he knows without a doubt that that is the truth. ]

Forever? Until- [ Until they part again and are weaved back into the story with new lives but the same souls. ]

What of how I hurt you? [ His voice deepens as the pain and regret and guilt that he tried but failed to bury takes hold of him once more. Oh, yes, he tried to bury it, but it refused to let him go. It's weighed on him these past many years, and he has been unable to forget it. ] You would have survived if I had known- if I had been there to defend you.

[ His gaze lowers and his shoulders fall. ] When I think of what you must have experienced... [ She might notice his hands beginning to shake as his mind brings to life what he imagines her final moments were like. ]

I imagined that if you returned, you would only despise me.