"As well you should. He made your mother suffer. She loves you with all she is, Xander."
"I know." Just like that, his anger was gone, replaced by sorrow.
"Do you hate him enough to seek revenge, to right the wrong he's committed against you and your mother?"
"Yes. But she won't die."
The woman studied him. "If she does? What will you do? How will you eat? Where will you live?"
Xander was unable to grasp how something like that might come to be. He grappled with the answers. There had never been a world without his mother. All he had to do was keep feeding her soup every night, and one day, she'd be better.
"She won't die," he repeated.
The stranger's face softened with the warmth of pity, a sight Xander was accustomed to. Most people saved that look for his mother while casting uncertain or suspicious looks at the masked child who followed her dutifully through the city.
"Do you know the tavern with the sword and dagger on its sign?" the noblewoman asked. Once more, the silver ring flared to life and spun around her cool green irises.
Xander nodded. The sense of falling once more made him clutch the cloak.
"In the morning, I'm leaving from there for the place I told you about. If your mother has passed, will you consider joining me?"
"She's just sleeping."
"I understand. However, if something worse comes to pass, you will have a choice to make. You can serve me in this new land, where you will never have to hide what you are. We will build an army unlike any that has ever existed, and we will use it to seek revenge on your father for betraying you and her."
Betrayal. Revenge. Something within Xander shivered at the thought. Was he excited or scared by the idea? He hated the man who threw them out. The emotion was stronger than hunger and sorrow.
"Or, you can stay here and pray no one ever finds out what you are. They won't spare you. But," the woman added "it's your decision. Life is about choices, boy, those you make and those you don't. You will need to learn that quickly."
She rose as she spoke, gloves in hand.
"I wish the circumstances were different. Be that as it were, I anticipate seeing you in the morning."
She strode to the door and left, closing it behind her.
Xander stared after her then crept closer to his mother. Her skin was warm still, her breathing faint. Her mind, however, was gone. She wasn't there to help him any longer.