[ He doesn't mention that his brother knew exactly where he'd been. That Miklan's laughing face had been the last thing he'd seen before he'd been pushed over the edge and dropped down into the depths of the well. ]

My father sent out search parties. The villagers all pitched in to help look. The well... was pretty secluded, at an old farmstead that had been abandoned for some years, so it was a while before anyone ventured there to look.

[ He slides his fingers up and down his spine, soothing her when he feels her arms tight around him. ] It was a long time ago now. It's not something I dwell on. Wouldn't have, if waking up down there hadn't brought all of it back. [ He gives a small, wry chuckle, closing his eyes again. ] Poor Claude had his hands full. Pretty sure I freaked out a couple times, especially after they dragged us in to the altar.

[ His tone of voice holds more than a hint of his disgust for his own perceived weakness down there. ]