If you dare spar with me, I'll make sure not to go easy on you, then.

[ Her family's antics are so familiar, it almost hurts. They share quite the background.

And she is kind. He sees that quickly. He appreciates the softness from such a steely woman. ]

I wish I knew how it was possible. My son Jon [ it is simpler to call him what he is in everything except birth ] has told me of a demon who can awaken the dead in our world, but even then they are like corpses walking, not as you see me now.

[ Very much alive, very much whole. Ned turns his hands up, large strong hands that could do nearly whatever he set them to, and stares at them. ]

She could. And I could have only a few more days to live. Should I spend them alone, waiting? I think about if our positions were reversed, if I knew she was all alone here and knew that I was dead, what would I wish for her.

[ He glances at Juliel. ] Do you think it wrong, that I would want her to be happy, even if it was without me?