Or'do sat cross-legged at the canyon's tapering end, where stone had been turned rough and coarse as torn flesh by the same unimaginable force that had sundered this place from the solid mountains beyond. Before him stood Noraan, still examining his map with an air of bewilderment.
"Know you of Sister Freid?" Or'do asked at length.
"In more than name? No?" This statement was punctuated by a nonchalant shrug. "Does it matter?"
"She is more formidable by far than any you or I have fought; if not in skill, than in sheer power. My armour no more resists the bite of her scythe than a noblewoman's silks. Sister Freid will destroy you a thousand times over before you realize your doom." Darkness clung to his words, the chilling edge of wisdom with great pain earned.
"Will I not awake moments later?"
"Indeed," Or'do murmured. "Yet I warn you: depend not on your ability to return; there will come a day when it abandons you."
Noraan's heart shuddered, a cold stone heavy in his chest. "What?"
"There will come a day when you will fall and never again rise, when you will lose forevermore the chance to redeem yourself for the past's sins and sorrow."
"Or'do-" Noraan was silenced by a raised hand.
"I've lost everything that meant anything to me, but you still have a chance." Or'do's hollow, plaintive eyes locked with Noraan's. "I beg you,: His voice cracked with anguish. "Do not cast it away as I have."
Pain turned his eyes cold and empty as almonds of glass, yet still they glowed when he smiled in spite of his pain. "Let's go liberate a slab, eh?"
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