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‘That is an interesting term to use,’ said Ozolos. ‘Reborn. I had not thought of it that way before.’

‘Oh? How would you put it, then?’

‘Scarred. Mutilated, even.’

That left a lingering and tense silence in its wake.

Gema felt her heart beat a little faster as she waited to learn how the leader of the Old Wardens was going to take that response.

‘...I understand,’ said Nixil. ‘That, too, is a reasonable perspective. I only question its productiveness. Moving forward has always been the more appealing way of thinking to me.’

‘Another interesting term,’ said Ozolos. ‘Moving forward. It does not strike me as appropriate for you, however. You, who leads one of the most infamously isolationist societies in the world. It seems, rather, that you and your kin would prefer to move any which way but forward.’

‘Watch how you speak to the Rahja,’ said Gardorox.

‘I said be silent,’ said Nixil, this time with noticeable force. Enough so, in fact, that Gema could feel the words in her chest.

Which confused her further.

After a moment, Nixil’s tone softened again as he addressed Gardorox. ‘I would have our guest speak his mind before us. I tire of mealy mouths.’

Hold on. She was a guest here, too. Did she not count? Eh, who was she kidding? Probably not.

Nixil turned back toward them. ‘So tell me, Ozolos. Were you always called such? Were you once one of us?’

‘Perhaps,’ said Ozolos. ‘Or perhaps not.’

For some reason, that made Nixil burst into laughter. ‘Oho! For a moment there, you seemed without humor! But that is quite the inside joke! I must say! And a telling one, as well!’

‘Then it is as I thought,’ said Ozolos, sounding not at all jovial by comparison. ‘You have had encounters of your own.’

‘Heh.’ It took Nixil a bit longer to settle himself fully. ‘Indeed.’

‘Yet you seem no worse for wear, as far as I can tell.’

‘Yes. I have always been able to negotiate from a position of strength. They have sought me out in every Age, sometimes stealthily, sometimes forthrightly. Always hoping to find me more agreeable.’

‘...To speak so candidly, you must be quite confident in yourself,’ said Ozolos. ‘In my experience, words must be chosen carefully, even in total privacy. To do otherwise is to invite the Unwavering Gaze.’

‘Not here,’ said Nixil. His tailfin gestured broadly. ‘Not among our stalwart friends. You need not fear. Faridel is well-protected from such invasive eyes.’