Archer Valle

The time was fast approaching; that much Archer knew. He should have spent more time studying with Clover, or perhaps they should have gone back up to the Cove for Kat to be with her mother... but he knew she didn't particularly want to go home and he still couldn't forget that Sephrina had died under their care. He was afraid if he went up the mountain he might see her ghost, condemning him for failing her, for not being there, for the bridges he'd burned.

And burned them he had. He tried not to think of them, back at the place of his birth. It hurt too much. He'd once worshipped the ground Viorel had walked on, wanted to be just like him. He'd loved Eros more than life itself - he never would have imagined this outcome. He knew what the consequences likely would be for his actions that day with Kateri. Viorel had warned him. He'd done it anyway, and as much as he might hide behind the excuses of his hormones and desire for closeness, he knew the fault lie with him and him alone. He should have accepted his punishment with some grace. Maybe then, some day, he might have been able to go ho...

No. For all that he wanted to be like Viorel, Archer would never forsake a child for the mistakes of youth - educated or no. He would not drive away his child, especially if he had just lost one. He would cling to his surviving offspring, love them all the harder, for the loss - even if they betrayed him the way he'd betrayed Viorel. The Backwater leader's grief had driven him mad and really, he'd always loved Archer's sisters more than he loved Archer and Eros.

Archer stood at the lakeshore they'd found themselves out and stared over the water as he brooded, trying not to try to pretend it was the cozy pond he'd grown up next to and failing at both.

Archer Valle

Anger burned in his heart. Anger, and regret. He didn't acknowledge Kateri as she approached him until her head rested upon his shoulder. He tilted his head to briefly touch hers before returning to position. His first thought was to snap at her question, but he thankfully held his tongue; none of this was her fault, and he didn't want to cause her any more stress than she was already dealing with. He next considered not answering at all, but that wouldn't be fair to her either.

"Not really," he finally said. He knew he had very little reason to be as angry with Viorel as he was. Archer had been warned of the consequences of his actions, and perhaps if Sephrina hadn't... well, things might have turned out different. If Archer had reacted differently, things might be different. It was too late for that now, though; he had the mother of his children to worry about, and his first foray into fatherhood.

Speaking of which... "Actually," Archer said, finally glancing at his lady, "there is one thing."