Shady

"You're not respecting her if you 'disagree with what she is'," Aeron scoffed. "That's disrespectful as fuck."

"I have no idea, sir," Kaelan said honestly. "I'm sorry. I've never actually met either of them."

"About once a year or so, he goes for two or three more villages, depending on their size," Kaelan said. "Takes all the kids twelve to fifteen... ish. It's not ...

"Mm."

"...A lot," Kaelan admitted, shaking his head. "I'm not sure. Maybe a hundred? I really don't know."

"From our township?" Kaelan asked, thinking about it. "...Maybe sixteen?" He'd have to think about it, he never actually counted.

Aeron snorted. "Shouldn't you try to learn about things before you decide whether you want to oppose it?"

Kaelan nodded dumbly, unable to think of how to respond to that. What was she like these days? Would she remember him? Would she still care?

"I mean..." He shrugged. "Most people have something they believe in, I reckon. I can't speak for all fae; they're not a monolith."

Kaelan's shoulder's slumped, big tough soldier boy persona forgotten. He felt weak with this revelation, like Ash had ripped a rug out from under him. "Ky's here ?"

"The trolls?" Aeron thought for a moment. "Dunno." He shrugged. "Maybe. But I doubt it."

Kaelan blinked, stunned. "...sir?" It seemed too good to be true. Which meant it probably wasn't. "...May I ask why?"

"Yes, sir." Kaelan squared his shoulders and approached the desk, hesitating and then shaking his left hand. "...Nice to meet you?"

Aeron sobered, scratching his chin. "...I'm going to need to figure that one out," he admitted. "But it'll likely just be a favor or two. Technically speaking the cu-sith wasn't ...

Aeron snorted, smirking. "Luckily handing a handful of berries over to some sprites doesn't leave my finances in ruin... I like sharing anyhow."