“It’s never too late to pass on knowledge, Maven.” Jhendayre said gently. “You were the father I had always hoped my own father would be. I spent many a day wishing you were my actual father…”

Though it pained him, Ramar stood to his full height without wincing and looked his former charge in the eye. Standing face to face, master and student assessed one another.

Ramar watched carefully as he spoke the words he had dreamed but never planned on saying. “You never told me why you left. You just disappeared one night. The next time I received word of you, you were studying under Martimyr. Studying incantations and frippery of all things!”

Jhendayre’s voice went hard. “It’s not frippery. It’s an application of the same principles that we tap into when- never mind. That’s not important. Let me assure you that it was not my will that was done when I left. I was happy here. You were strict, but honorable, and I-”

“THEN WHY COULDN’T YOU TELL ME!” Ramar roared.

“BECAUSE I WAS ASHAMED!” Jhendayre yelled back.