I had met with Socheniel again for Round Two, but I was preoccupied by news that [a Traveler] had stumbled into what sounded like Rummer John’s swamp and I was concerned for [kir]. I apologized for standing up whoever the angel wanted me to meet with, but I didn’t want [the Traveler] to come to harm.
I turned to leave, but the angel materialized and grabbed my arm in a gentle but unrelenting hold.
“Who are you worried about?”
“A friend. A dear one.”
“Did you put this dear friend in harm’s way?”
“No. But [ke] doesn’t know where [ke] is, and I do.”
“Is [ke] defenseless? Does [ke] not have means of protecting [kirself]?”
“Yea, but…”
“This place [ke] is in. You say you know it. Is the lord of that place hostile to intruders?”
“No, but…”
“Does your dear friend have basic manners?”
“Yea, but…”
“Then why are you trying to live your friend’s life for [kir]? You can not protect everyone that you love all the time. Sometimes, you have to allow those you love to live their life and walk their path, even if it means stepping into danger.”
“… I don’t want to see [kir] hurt. Not if I can prevent that.”
“Even if it means stunting [kir] personal growth by preventing [kir] from healing old wounds?”
I started crying. Socheniel released my arm. “I know something of how decay brings growth. Of how death supports life. Sometimes, it has to hurt before it can get truly better. You know that more than others. You have watched this process in me, and in yourself. If your friend truly requires your assistance in that place, [ke] will likely have the means to call you. Otherwise, stay out of it.” He patted me on the head in what is supposed to be a reassuring gesture. His blighted aura only reminded me of what else is in the swamp. Yes, [ke] did need to be there, and for a process that [ke] has to confront alone.
I sighed as I conceded. “I still reserve the right to worry about those I care for.”
Socheniel leaned over and kissed me on the forehead with that surreptitious blessing of his. “We all do.”, he whispered. His form dissipated to embrace me and I was taken to another unremembered meeting.