can't look in on one way eyes

Erik's father had summoned him, and doggedly, the boy would go. Sure, the why was still a bit of an unknown to him-- why did he answer Víðarr? The father who'd barely raised him, who'd been so derelict in his duties that Hattori had even taken some of his siblings on as charges. Somehow, in all this, Erik still feels like he needs to.

It's a long walk north, the weather getting cooler as he moves north through Auster. The ever-present humidity is oppressive, leaving him feeling far more worn than usual as he nears the northern edge of the continent. Dusk beginning to settle around Erik's shoulders, he draws nearer to the castle. While he hadn't warned Ember he was coming, maybe it'll be a nice surprise. Drawing to the border, a red sunset on full display, Erik sends his cat to find someone to call.
"Speech"