Ahlund led Justin below deck. Partway down the hallway, Justin stopped.
"You're angry with me," he said.
Ahlund came to a halt but did not turn around. He said nothing.
"Back at Lonn, I promised you I wouldn't run away anymore," Justin said. "Ahlund, I kept that promise. I did not run away. This was an accident."
"It was against your will that you left, then?" Ahlund said, still not turning around.
Justin opened his mouth, but the answer caught in his throat. "Well, no. I did mean to leave, but I didn't mean to be gone as long as I was, or to-"
Ahlund resumed walking. "Then that's not an accident. What you're describing is a mistake. A costly one."
Justin raised his hand, but Ahlund rounded the corner. Justin dropped the hand to his side and hung his head.
"This again," he heard Ahlund say from around the corner. It took Justin a moment to realize he wasn't talking to him. "For the last time. No."