030 [Voice / Not Filtered]

[mountain_sage]

[This draft certainly did not go well as far as Saleh was concerned. He had a plan to stick with a group and fight together. They've made their mistakes, they became separated, and it had cost them dearly. Kain and Rydia had lost their lives, and the group lost two companions. Saleh has his own guilt to bear, the guilt of a broken promise.]

Cecil…I'm sorry. I've failed in my promise to look after your son…

Kain and Rydia...this should not have happened.

[He would follow with, "Forgive me," but how can he even ask forgiveness from a father who could have lost his kid because he was so careless as to let said kid run off like a rambunctious puppy?]

Comments

[Voice]

[praygenius.livejournal.com]

None of this should have happened.

[She doesn't know Saleh well but she knows that he's a friend of the house.]

You were taken, too? Are you done fighting? How do you fare?

[Voice]

[mountain-sage.livejournal.com]

I was a part of the draft as well, but we are back in the village now. The fighting is over for the time being.

I am well in a physical sense, but my heart remains heavy...

Re: [Voice]

[praygenius.livejournal.com]

That is a relief, at least. This dreadfulness has ended.

I understand. Please try to rest, well or not, you all sound like you need it very much. I am afraid I know of no easy cures for a heavy heart. I only wish that I did, it seems like a very common affliction at present.

[Voice]

[mountain-sage.livejournal.com]

Yes...it was a rough battle, more than we had anticipated. While the mission was somewhat successful, the price was high...

It is true that time is the only cure for this kind of pain.

[But he can't rest until he's at least spoken with Cecil.]

[Voice]

[praygenius.livejournal.com]

I think you are right. I suppose we shall all just have to endure.

[Voice]

[mountain-sage.livejournal.com]

Indeed. How do you fare in all of this, Porom? I cannot imagine this being any easier for those who remained in the village.

[Voice]

[praygenius.livejournal.com]

I am well enough, if tried. The village has been...quiet in everyone's absence.

[Voice]

[mountain-sage.livejournal.com]

I see. There were quite a lot of us sent to battle this time.

[hallowedlight.livejournal.com]

You have nothing to apologise for; Ceodore is safe and unharmed. [Physically, at least.] I'm grateful for it.

[mountain-sage.livejournal.com]

Cecil...

The best I can do is help Ceodore learn and grow from this, as he has taken all the blame for himself. This concerns me greatly.

[hallowedlight.livejournal.com]

It concerns me as well. None of the responsibility for what happened lies with him. [But unfortunately, the self-blame thing is something Ceodore has learned from his dear old dad, and it isn't going to go away easily.]

[mountain-sage.livejournal.com]

The responsibility lies with all of us. Had we stayed together as we had planned, none of this would have happened.

[hallowedlight.livejournal.com]

[If anyone feels responsible, it's Cecil. He's always been the leader, the protector, and the first time -- to him, at least -- he didn't fight alongside them, this is the result. But playing the blame game is going to get them nowhere and he knows it.]

The battlefield is an unpredictable place. It's easy for even the best-prepared plans to fall apart.

[mountain-sage.livejournal.com]

It certainly is...

[That was how he lost Lady Myrrh in Magvel. And now he's stuck here, unable to even search for her.]

[hallowedlight.livejournal.com]

What of you, Saleh? Are you in need of healing?

[mountain-sage.livejournal.com]

No, I'm all right. Thank you.