Though she’d already suspected her closeness with Tyr had been what drove the nail into the coffin on her relationship with the Peak General, what happened after she spoke was enough to tell her she’d been right. Róisín did not snap or even say anything that would tell Oswin she wasn’t fond of the idea, but she didn’t need to. Though young, Oswin had believed in Róisín’s potential for a reason. Even now, she only gave two firm words and let silence fall between them rather than throwing herself into a heated fight.

Oswin knew herself well enough to know that at Róisín’s age she wouldn’t have been capable of the same tact.

“Salem?” She echoed with a small question, paused, and then hummed thoughtfully. All she thought of when she thought of Salem now was Klara. “I suppose.”

Róisín offering to be an island guide for Oswald drew Oswin’s mind away from her daughter. “I’m sure he would love that.” She said, knowing that much was absolutely true. Oswald had always been rather fond of the Peak General. Oswin already knew that telling her son Róisín had even mentioned the idea would get him fired up and ready to leave for another island the very next day. “I’ll have to let him know you offered… Don’t be surprised if he’s already begging you to take him somewhere next time you see him.” Oswin smiled, but it was tried. Her heart just wasn’t in the banter, still stuck on all the private troubles circling the drain in her mind.

Awkwardly she shifted her oversized figure, then sighed and nodded, making to turn and leave from their brief, strained conversation. One brief step away, however, she paused. She had to stop running from the truth. They both did. Even if the truth brought forth some sort of catastrophe.

“What is it about Tyr?” The question was out of her mouth quickly and though a tight squeezing in her gut told her she might’ve made a mistake, Oswin still lifted her chin and landed her blue eyes square on Róisín’s. “Or… what is it about me having children with Tyr that made you…” She paused, struggling to think of the word. After all, Róisín hadn’t exactly ever been outright rude to Oswin… What if this was all something Oswin had built up in her head? Projecting her own guilt on getting distracted from her mission by romance?

“I just feel like something changed between us and it’s about time I ask what that is.”

oswin
this is as brave as I know how to be.
I know it’s gonna hurt you, but please… be a little proud of me.