"Finding new life doesn't erase the scars on the soul... ....and defining new life by what came before it...that just cheapens the new life, doesn't it?"

But his voice sounds broken, even so. "...I left what I could, and felt so sure they would both be alright... ...But it seems a bit more like I walked them to their deaths, you know?" he 'laughs', looking up as his eyes swim with tears. "A thief....a victim...both of them..."

He ducks his head again, and the dragon chitters confusedly from behind.