Chaptert 16

Leo was confused as to why he unexpectedly felt too sleepy and exhausted. All the memory came running fast, emerging from his brain like a tidal wave. The best thing about him was his sentimental warmth, which isn't a drawback, it's a floor. It's the bedrock of who he was, of the person he was born to be. He was born gentle and vulnerable, he wore his heart for all to see, and it took strength to do that, but he was no longer smooth, now he was the hero of him; he was his champion. 

The disastrous course of his circumstances commenced that night. Two decades ago.

The younger man lay on his stomach upon the ground of the large common tavern in the wardens' quarters. To Leo's right, a group of his associate off-duty guardsmen were assembled round the long, enormous oak table where meals were served --- playing cards and dice with much cursing and laughing. To his left, three more wardens sat by the vast fireplace. One immersed in rubbing oil into his tall, old black boots. O