"In the beginning," Asabel agreed. "When they'd just left the Academy, and they were making a name for themselves – did they realize where they were likely to end up, and all that they were likely to influence? Perhaps Uncle did… But I wonder if Dominus knew as well?"
"I don't know," Oliver said honestly. "I suppose, if he was looking for anything, it was probably just a way to improve his sword. I imagine he saw the world through that lens, and everything else was secondary. It wouldn't surprise me if even his friendship with Arthur he saw merely as a chance to improve his sword – at least at first."
"Do you miss him?" Asabel asked. She didn't look at him as she asked the question. She couldn't. She was busy seeing something in the flames.
It took Oliver a moment before he was able to give what should have been a simple answer. "…I do," he decided, irritated by the weakness that crept into his voice as he'd said it.
