Chapter 435 Reunion Part 2 (1/2)
”Morr, you seem well.”
”Father, you seem to be in good health also. Not that I should be so surprised.”
t.i.tus, frowned.
”What is that supposed to mean.”
Morrelia rolled her eyes.
”Only that you're basically unkillable up here. Other than Garralosh, what monster could possibly harm you in the first or second strata?”
Perhaps it was foolish, but t.i.tus still felt pride that his daughter recognised his strength. In his mind, she was still the little girl who would follow at his heels, striking fiercely at his back with wooden training swords. She was a warrior born, a lion cub, ready to be a legionnaire from the moment she opened her eyes.
”I'd never seen you happier, than you began your training. You had a fire in you then, you were like an inferno. Everyone was warmed by your zeal,” t.i.tus said wistfully.
Morrelia looked up at the commander, confused.
”It's unlike you to reminisce about the past, father.” She chuckled a little bitterly. ”We both know that to be a legionary was everything I'd ever wanted, to follow you and mother into service. And we both know why I left. That's history now.”
t.i.tus c.o.c.ked an eyebrow.
”You're barely into your twenties, far too young to be talking about history.” His voice softened. ”We would have you back. At any time. Just say the word and I'll make it so.”
”That's against regulations. I'm a deserter!”
”d.a.m.n the regulations. You are my daughter. If the Legion wouldn't have you then I'd quit myself.”
Morrelia's eyes widened and she dragged her father away from the crowd toward one side of the cavern. The Legionaries, disciplined and reserved, had not batted an eye at their commanders words and the villagers had been too far away to overhear them. But how could she allow the commander, the hero of the Legion in Liria, to speak such words out loud.
”Watch what you say!”' She hissed. ”If the people found out you would abandon them…”
”What people?” t.i.tus asked. ”Tell me truly, daughter, what is left above ground? Is there any kingdom left? Do not doubt this, even if every one of them were still alive, I would put you first.”
Tears sprung up in Morrelia's eyes.
”Why are you saying this now? Has something changed?”
t.i.tus shrugged his broad shoulders, his stony countenance as unreadable as ever.
”Things are moving Morr. There's change in the Dungeon, I can feel it. First this wave, then Garralosh getting killed. I don't know what, and I don't know why, but I have a feeling that things are going to get messy. I want you to be safe.”
”I can take care of myself.”
”I know you can. But I don't know what's coming. This old man would rather you were close by, where I can help if you get into trouble. It's a father's right to worry for his child.”
Morrelia gripped the hilts of her two blades as she stared up at t.i.tus.
”There's more, isn't there? What aren't you telling me?”
t.i.tus stifled a sigh and turned to look back at the Legionaries a.s.sembled and waiting for him in the centre of the tunnel.
”With the kingdom gone, and the lizard dead, there's no reason for the legion to maintain the Bulwark. It's costly in blood and coin, the high command will be eager to move those resources elsewhere.”
As she realised what he was saying, Morrelia's eyes widened.
”You mean…?”
t.i.tus nodded.