The Weight of War - Part 4

She clenched her jaw, and tried to halt the tide of tears entirely. The fierce look she gave him made it clear that she wasn't at all satisfied with that conclusion. It was a similar look of indignicance to what Nila might give. But her heart would not allow for it. The more she struggled against it, the more her tears flowed. Like a dam bursting, they came out all at once, and she gave in to the indignity of it all.

Gently, Oliver embraced her. He did no more than that. He heard her troubled heart, and he listened, feeling his respect for her well up the more he found out about her. He nudged her towards talking, without saying a word.

"I-it's terrifying, Oliver," she said mightily, her voice unable to stay level through her crying. She hid her face in his surcoat, and her words came through muffled. "So many people… Too many… They're all hoping for me to be… Something."