"How long have you been here?" Shae offered him a small smile and sat next to him while he weeded a row of peppers.
Nix shrugged, "not long. I didn't want to bother you."
Shae stared at him, her warm brown eyes watching his every movement. "Want to talk about what's bothering you."
He nodded but didn't stop working. "I moved a bit too quickly and was caught unprepared in a dangerous situation."
Shae moved behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist while leaning against his back. "Someone died?"
"Yes. Brahmi decided to burn his palace with all of his worldly possession inside."
She squeezed him tighter. "These possessions included people?"
"Yep."
"Feel responsible?"
"Initially I did." Nix squeezed her hands, "rational thought has since won over. Better preparation may have prevented it, but the death is Brahmi's fault."
