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He had taken Asad at his word, of course, that this Hector Goffe of Atreya had somehow become bonded with one of the Shards and that it would be foolish and cruel to take the Shard away from him... but still. Perhaps on some level, Abbas had harbored doubts. If there hadn't been so many other pressing matters at the time, he may have even put up more of a fight and insisted that Hector remain in Sair with them while they studied this mysterious bond.

Looking back, he was quite glad that he'd been too preoccupied at the time.

Having actually heard Rasalased's voice himself now, any lingering feelings in that regard were well and truly crushed.

Hector Goffe was indeed a most suitable "Shardkeeper," as Rasalased had laboriously explained.

Abbas rubbed his forehead. To think that he'd had a conversation with the Dry God... and that, furthermore, it had been such an absurd conversation.

Rasalased was not an easy person to talk to, Abbas had learned. And apparently, Hector had been doing this for a while now. What kind of saintly patience must that boy possess?

Even now, reflecting on it all, Abbas wasn't sure if he had learned anything truly novel or useful. Rasalased had showered him with strange compliments and vaguely ominous warnings.

"Be ever mindful," the Dry God had told him. "Our horizon dims in the shadow of many perilous futures. Rest well but not easy."

And that had been one of the more coherent things.

It should have been an absolute honor and privilege to be able to speak directly with Rasalased in such a manner, but honestly? Abbas was kind of hoping that it never happened again.

Maybe he was just tired, though. It had been a long and messy day.