=== Lindon & Saphir === --- C --- [Saphir] Excuse me, Lindon. Do you mind if I ask you a bit of an odd question? [Lindon] Ask away, Saphir. [Saphir] Well... [Saphir] Actually, uh, never mind. Forget I said anything. [Lindon] Hmm. You seemed quite solemn about it, whatever it was. [Lindon] There was pain there as well. As though something weighs heavily on your heart. [Lindon] I think you should go ahead and come out with it. [Saphir] OK. [Saphir] About 30 years ago... You'd already begun your career as a soldier of Elusia, right? [Lindon] Indeed, I had. [Lindon] I joined as a royal soldier almost immediately upon graduating Elusia's national academy. [Saphir] You must have taken part in campaigns against Brodia around that time, then. [Lindon] Yes... Yes, I did. [Saphir] If I were to name a town or a village in Brodia... Would you remember if... [Saphir] No, this is inappropriate. I shouldn't be asking. [Lindon] Saphir, I, er... [Saphir] I'm sorry to bother you. I hope I didn't offend. [Saphir] [Lindon] Well, now. This bears some looking into. --- B --- [Lindon] Saphir, may I speak to you for a moment? [Saphir] Of course, Lindon. What is it? [Lindon] Your guess that I was an Elusian soldier about 30 years ago was correct. [Lindon] That said, my tour of duty never brought me to any rural fishing villages. [Saphir] You looked into this─into where I'm from. [Lindon] Indeed. [Saphir] All right. I'll say it. [Saphir] Elusia attacked my home village 30 years ago. A lot of folks were killed...my parents included. [Saphir] It's not that I'm on a revenge quest or anything. I haven't been searching for their killers. [Saphir] But if you were a soldier in Elusia at that time... I couldn't help but wonder... [Lindon] No, no, your suspicions are only natural. I would wonder the same thing in your shoes. [Saphir] I still shouldn't have asked. We're on the same side now. There's no need to dig this up. [Lindon] If you want to hate me, Saphir, you have the right. [Lindon] Even if you wanted me dead, I'd allow it if it would ease your pain. [Saphir] What?! Why would you say that?! [Lindon] Because I mean it. [Lindon] I may not have done any harm to your parents personally, but I was a soldier in that war. [Lindon] I can easily see a world in which it was I who ended your parents' lives. [Saphir] I... [Lindon] I am a man long past his prime. I'd happily go to my end if it would bring you relief. [Lindon] And although words can change nothing now... I do apologize. I am truly, profoundly sorry. [Saphir] I can't do this. Excuse me. [Saphir] [Lindon] Oh dear... --- A --- [Saphir] Now that is how you fillet a fish. [Lindon] I must say, you handle a fillet knife splendidly. [Saphir] Lindon... [Lindon] It's quite something to see such a large fish gutted and cleaned in a matter of moments. [Saphir] No, not really. Any kid growing up near the water can do the same by about seven. [Lindon] I see. [Lindon] Saphir, about our last conversation... [Saphir] Anyway, you've got perfect timing! [Saphir] I was just about to sear this fish. Wanna lend me your magic touch? C'mon, do the honors! [Lindon] Er, I would be glad to, but... [Saphir] Our earlier conversation's weighing on you. [Lindon] I'm afraid so. [Lindon] I cannot deny that I took part in the war that cost your parents their lives. [Lindon] I would understand completely if you held a grudge against me. [Saphir] With all due respect, Lindon...drop this before I lose my cool. [Lindon] I'm sorry?! [Saphir] My problem isn't with you. It's with the war. [Saphir] If I held grudges against everyone involved, it'd never end. I've seen enough to understand that. [Lindon] I suppose, but... [Saphir] I mean it. You're not doing me any favors taking on that burden. [Lindon] You're right. I see now that I was being entirely foolish. [Saphir] Not entirely. You've shown you care. That means something. [Saphir] Now, are you gonna sear this fish for me or what? We've got hungry folks waiting! [Lindon] Then there's no time to waste! No more apologies─I've got bigger fish to fry! --- S ---