Page 2198

'I know that asking you to protect Miro would probably be overreaching,' said Ericoros, 'but if you could at least send someone to check on it, I would be grateful.'

"...What is this place to you, exactly?" said Hector.

'It is where Leo grew up. And where he and I met.'

"I thought Leo was born in Kahm," said Hector. Roman had mentioned Leo telling him that. It was a small detail, but one that Hector had wanted to remember since it seemed like something that could end up becoming important.

'Yes,' said Ericoros. 'He was born there, but he spent much of his young and adolescent life in Vantalay. He and I both grew to love Miro during our time there. No doubt, it has changed considerably since then, but I would see it kept safe during this war, if possible.'

Hmm. That was a new detail. "So you've been with Leo since he was a teenager?"

'That's right.'

It was somehow difficult to imagine. After constantly being made aware of how bad their relationship was, how Ericoros would release Leo's soul as soon as he had the chance, Hector had trouble picturing their relationship in different, happier circumstances. How much had the passage of time compounded their problems with one another?

Could that happen to Garovel and him?

Hector didn't even want to think about it. But then, perhaps not thinking about it... would be what allowed it to come to pass. He needed to be attentive, didn't he? Even for things like this. No, especially for things like this.

"...How long ago was this?" asked Hector.

And Ericoros hesitated.

Understandably so. It was a more important question than it perhaps seemed, Hector knew. He'd essentially just asked for Leo's age as a servant. Hector wondered if Ericoros would tell him the truth--or anything at all, for that matter.

But at length, Ericoros finally said, 'It was 223 years ago.'