she sits down next to the prince, bumping her elbow against his to get his attention. "are you doing alright?" ingrid asks, concerned look on her face. "you seem like you're taking it well, but...i just wanted to make sure you're okay with him being here." god of strength duma may be, but no amount of strength was worth making her best friend relive some of the worst moments of his life.
he must look out of sorts, picking at his food at the table. the dining hall is empty besides them -- it’s far past dinner time. berkut had been out on patrol for the better part of the evening, leading his horse in circles around the perimeter and considering. . .everything.
he was here. he, duma, the god of strength -- the great lord of rigel, the dragon-god that had twisted his strings of fate together with alm and celica and --
a deep sigh heaves itself out of him as he sets his fork down, turning his eyes to ingrid. there was a lot that had changed in him since he met her.
his pride is less an open wound. his past lingers, as it will always, but it doesn’t burn as deep or as hot. he does not stand precariously in the middle, seeking the approval of those higher and ignoring those lower. he does not seek the approval of a god who does not love him.
he is not prince berkut of rigel. he is berkut, hero of askr -- and ingrid’s best friend.
“ i’m. . .alright, truly. or i think i will be. he doesn’t. . .hold sway here. there is no reason to be afraid of him anymore.
i don’t need his help. i’ll be alright. ”