Moonstones and Moonlight [Red]

He grinned at her, caught up in the enthusiasm of recreationist scholarship. "There are many ways ancient humans had to build walls long before they had the technology of recent history. The ancient Romans, for example, built stone cities and monuments that lasted throughout human history. Why, if we could find Rome I imagine they may have survived humanity's extinction. You may not need to tear down your father's wall at all, and might save a generation of labor if you use it as the core of your wall and simply add to it. I would be willing to consult on it with you if you wish," he offered. "Human techniques were my scholarly area of expertise when I was learning."


Her more personal question, however, dimmed his enthusiastic grin into a bittersweet smile. "Oh, simply wandering. I had a yen to make the world a better place, and when my twin became king after my father I felt it politic to make myself scarce. Not that he would be a bad king, mind you," he added. "And the spirits know I'd have made a poor one, always more interested in crafting and learning than ruling. But he is far better off ruling there without having the people have a constant reminder every time he makes an unpopular decision that they could as easily have a different king if they deposed him and raise me in his place."