Empires of Ashes

"Thats... How could... Thats Impossible."

".....You think I'm a monster."

"My Religion certainly does. I'm not so sure. I've never felt kinship with a monster before."

"kin...ship?"

"Yes... an... empathy, an understanding."

"...."

"Are you alright?"

"..... I don't know. I've never known."

"You've never known?"

"It is only with the....attention the consul has given me, that I ever really... thought about it."

"I... think i understand."

"You...do?"

"Before, You didn't think, just obeyed."

"He...made me start to...think"

"Thats... thats good."

"I...guess it is"

"I hope, in time, you'll find something to strive for, that isn't just more killing."

"...I think....I think I have something"

"Do you... That is, Would you like to tell me?"

".....him"

"You mean... Trajan?"

she nods

"I probably should have guessed that."

"It...I am not sure how to...put it into words. But I...can think. Can....'feel'. And I could not before him. I owe him."

"Trajan is a dangerous man to pledge yourself to."

"...pardon?"

*he sighs* "I've talked to him... a good deal. I feel i have a sense of him, what kind of man he is. He's ambitious. I have goals... but. *shakes his head* Trajan is ambition itself."

"He is. And he'll need someone to keep him breathing"

"True enough."

"So... I suppose that is purpose enough for me"

"Better than how dracia uses you now. But, less than you deserve, i think."

"....what do I....deserve?"

"If you're right, after centuries of war... You deserve peace."

".....Peace?"

"You shouldn't have to fight anymore."

"...What would I do?"

"Whatever you want to do. Live."

"...."

"I... When I finally get to stop. When I've got my uncle's head on a spear over the city gates... I'm going to change things. Make them better. Make sure no one else ever lives through what we did. Make sure... Make sure people have choices... I can't say what you'll decide to do, but you'll set on something."

"You cant stop it."

"I will, or i will die in the attempt."

"You all die."

"Eventually, yes."

"It doesnt end. Not for me."

"Then you can accomplish great things."

"...Why do you have such....confidence in me?"

"I don't. Hope is a better word."

"....I do not understand"

"I hope you will do something good. I don't know if you will, or not."

"....Thankyou....although I do not know why you do"

"Faith in the good in people, perhaps."