Reconnaissance

Mariah paused in her task, her heart aching at Caedes' words. Though she knew he spoke thereof out of concern, it stung deeply nonetheless. She was not ready to leave him, even if temporarily. His darkness still clung to him and though he was making strides, she feared what he might succumb to in her absence. She knew the depths his despair could reach. Nonetheless, she understood his words, the very real danger they were in. The Sultan was not to be taken lightly. “Just a bit longer, and I will leave.” She answered with genuine consideration. They were far from over, but it wasn’t near as oppressive being in her as it was upon their arrival. “But you have to promise to come with me. Or else we are both sleeping here tonight.” She said without turning around to face him as she finished straightening up the pile of clutter she was currently working through. Her words were gentle, but they left no room to be backed off of, an unmovable decree that filled the den.

Mariah turned to face him now, her silver eyes locking with his emerald gaze. She moved slowly towards the brute, stepping carefully among the debris that littered the den. Her heart ached for him, for the turmoil he was going through. She knew the weight of guilt and regret all too well. "Caedes,” she said softly, "This is not your fault.” Her words were gentle, a phrase she had said countless times to him now. And even though she knew he refused to accept it, she was going to continue saying it. "None of us," she continued, slowly, "can control everything around us. The...the relentless sway of fate, the sudden upending of our world - it befalls us all. It is not a result of weakness or failure on your part." She paused, swallowing hard as her gaze bore into his. It wasn’t that she thought the hundredth time telling him the same thing over and over again would be the time that she finally convinced him of it. But it was her method of conveying she would never give up on him. She would never willingly give him over to himself. And she hoped that he understood that. "Every home has its moments of disarray," she added, her gaze drifting around the den. Some more than others, obviously. But she would expect the scene of such a tragedy to be pretty. "The condition it's in... it doesn't change who you are, which is who I am here for."

"Mariah Mendacium"