[ Istredd holds her tightly when she moves into his arms. It doesn't matter if they had hundreds of years in a fantasy, it still feels very real to him, and it's real right now too. Istredd is incapable of having this own kids nor would he really, but he truly believes he knows what it is to be a father now. And more than anything, it pulls him away from how he was raised himself, and teaches him that the Brotherhood was never truly family. Not like this.

There was only one love in his life in his sphere, and while it was a powerful and enduring love, one that would last forever as far as he was concerned, he didn't know how variable the feeling could be. That his love for people here could be just as unbreakable. The you could love so many people and still have room for more. ]

Hardly.

[ A hero? No. You're not nobody, Lucifer told him once, and he's promised to avoid thinking that way. But it wouldn't be a terrible thing, to be a hero to someone. It makes him smile inwardly, a little bit. ]

I was thinking Solvunn could work for you. Our friend Wanda would look out for you, both Yennefer and me trust her, it's safer than the other two.

[ Istredd wishes they could go to the Nether, that in his opinion is the safest option for any of them, and his own preference, but they can't go there. They can't ask that of the Draconae, it would put them in danger. Someday he will be free though. Just decades from now. For him, it's normal to bide his time. But that's not the same for River. ]

I think we might be able to eventually, but sending Cassian with you will take more time.