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    Titles…? What titles? Does he mean our lands… if we still had any… Karl hesitated. How many years has it been since I last announced my full title to anyone?


    I am noble-born, yes - but that was another life. Very well, let him know. What worse could come of it? The worst has already come and gone. Surrendering his resistance, he began to speak. "Our family''s holdings lie in Morowe..."


    He’s covering for me. His companion''s words carried hidden meaning.


    If it ever ends… and if I live to see it. His eyes clouded with sorrow. "I''ve been dwelling on those plans so much, it slipped from my tongue."


    To remind myself of what I’ve lost.


    I can''t bear to speak of this anymore... Every mention of the past sets my mind ablaze with pain... Karl began breathing heavily, his left hand clutching his head. Taylor watched his companion with understanding eyes, for he too knew such anguish.


    He, too, had tasted that terror.