You either love it or hate it

Camlen stiffened at Zoltan’s words, his jaw tightening as the dwarf’s smooth barbs tested the fragile control he’d held onto since this encounter began. When Sylaise’s glowing gaze fixed on him, he flinched—barely, but enough to betray the storm of emotions brewing beneath his carefully maintained composure.

This sanctuary is my shield, Camlen said, his voice low and strained. My last refuge since Elgar’nan awoke and tore the world asunder. I built it to keep myself hidden—not for greed, not for glory, but to survive the wrath of a god who would see me destroyed for daring to exist.

His eyes flicked to the grove, and a shadow of something unspoken crossed his face. Regret, perhaps, or bitterness. He exhaled sharply, the weight of his choices pressing against him as he spoke again.

If there is something of yours here, my lady, he addressed Sylaise directly, his tone slipping into deference despite his frustration, it was not taken. It was... left behind. Unclaimed. Forgotten, like so much else when the world fell apart.

Camlen gestured toward the grove, the motion abrupt and almost defensive. I’ve done what I could to protect it, to keep this place intact while the chaos beyond raged. I didn’t know you would come looking for it. I didn’t know anyone would.

@Megara Neirdre