The Heartwood If the Fires don't burn it down

Atka thought over what he said with furrowed brows. She'd only had a mere glimpse into his past, but she was sure what he described was only a fraction of the trauma he'd actually experienced. She didn't want him to relive any of it.

❝Well...❞ Atka trailed off, pausing and leaning into him before she continued.

❝For one I would rather not have you relive a dreadful part of your past. If you don't want to retreat to the darkness underground, we won't. Perhaps I don't understand the relevance of what lies here, to me, it's a mere burnt forest, but if its more than that to you... it is to me.❞

Parts of her sentence had hints of ardor to it that could have easily be mistaken for venom. Atka didn't care where they went, she was with who she cared about.

❝I have no complaints staying here. I'm fine with either route, but its clear one of them has more struggle than the other. Physically and emotionally.❞