454. Peaceful

Lance refilled the empty goblet and gulped down the alcohol:

"Daughter, don't you find it strange?"

Inez nodded:

"Your attitude, it's unexpected."

Lance said:

"When would a daughter, who never visits her old father, go see that squalid old man? You've come to me because you had no other options, and despair nearly won over you."

"I might be an incompetent father, but I'm still a smart old chap."

"I don't know what you've been through, or what you're about to do, but I can guess that you've had a rough time recently, just by looking at your face."

"And it's clear, you're hesitant about what you're planning to do. My advice is to take it slow. Reflect and calm yourself down, then if you still think your decision is right, go ahead with it."

"That was the mistake I made once upon a time; I made a decision in a state of fear, which I have regretted all my life."