Arrow Lake the caretaker

mirroring stigmata’s settlement, mahler let out his breath as a flurry of surprised blinking captured his eyelids. why he had ben caught off-guard he did not know, for of course they had not spoken regarding the vale since ruenna had taken her leave.
”i vould go novhere vithout you,” the gargoyle intoned gruffly, though the corner of his mouth quirked in a somber show of humour. it faded quickly; he glanced toward stigmata and steadied himself for their discourse.
”have you come to a decision, then?” mahler inquired gravely, for once not allowing his attention to falter, his mind to take him to more pleasant climes.