kept them all to himself. He didn't feel as though
he had a right to speak in this place. As he was led further into the
Jewel's chamber, and the image of the Jewel in all of its light and
glory grew closer, he was overcome by a wonderfully cozy feeling; it
was as if he was back in the soft bed in Lovisa's chamber, wrapped up
in silken blankets, with the warm sun touching his face. He tasted
milk, sweetbreads, and pancakes again, and again he felt the delight
that came with learning that such good foods existed in the world.
Again, he was pulled into the warmth of Lovisa's arms. Again, the
archmage kissed his face and said she would be delighted to look
after “such a nice young man.” The heavy feeling in his feetyou are no enemy of mine.” The
voice was not heard by his ears, but inside of his mind, like a
comforting thought that had just occurred to him. It was neither male
nor female, and certainly could not be called human. But at the sound
of it, all of his anxiety left him. He felt as though he was sitting
in the arms of a kindly relative who had invited him into her home,
though he had never experienced such a thing and had no family to
speak of. He wiped the last of his tears and his racing heart slowed
to normalcy. “I
allowed you into my palace and ensured that you would be properly fed
and cared for. I would never extend such courtesies to an enemy. My
dear, you are an unlucky young man who's