Battle Hymn of the Republic

Anger. Pain. A cutting line of emotion ate away at Percy's insides. It felt like something had wrapped its fingers tightly around his heart and was squeezing as hard as it could. The wrathful rage gave away into something more empty, something that Ruarc seemed to reiterate to him over and over. Like a hammer striking down onto a board.

Run away again? I didn't want to in the first place. I didn't want any of this.

That sense of loneliness brought tears to his eyes, and he grit his teeth. His gaze fell to the ground, but he mustered what gumption he had left to look the druid in the eyes.

"You were my brother. Ruarc."

His mouth moved as if there was more to say, but instead, unable to bear anymore of it, he turned and walked away.

Ruarc was set in stone as Percy turned, not ever shifting to watch the man leave. Once a small distance had been made between them Ruarc turned the other way and began towards his cottage. Silent and grim as he walked, he passed Caoranach who was similarly silent. "Tea some other time. I'm not in the mood today," the words came out as a throaty rumble. The fey didn't move from her spot as the druid continued on his way. Before long he came to the heavy oak door, opened it smoothly, and shut it with a booming slam that could be heard across the campus as the heavy door met its sturdy frame. Back where the argument had taken place, Caoranach had vanished without a trace.