Chapter 311: Going down
"No, you misunderstand," Tiscian said, interrupting Scintilla. "I want you and Irwin to go through the exit portal and flee."
"I understand, but we aren't leaving," Scintilla said, arms crossed as she frowned at her mother.
"Are you…. Daughter, if you don't leave now, you might not be able to when this is all resolved," Tiscian said.
"I won't leave one of my embers here! Not if I can't return," Scintilla said, her eyes narrowing. "And you should know that!"
Irwin stood at the back of the room, leaning against the wall. He had expected a few things when they arrived at the exit portal tower, but not this.
Tiscian's face softened as she stepped closer to her daughter. "I understand, but it is impossible to know where she is or when she can come back. You know I will do all I can to find her and keep her safe."
Scintilla took a deep breath, and Irwin saw her shoulders lower slightly. The argument had been going on for a while, and he could understand Scintilla was getting weary, but he was definitely not going to step in.
"No," Scintilla said, shaking her head. "I want my embers to come with us."
Tiscian stared at her for a bit, then took a step back, a flash of pain crossing her eyes.
"You are planning to leave…" she said softly. "Permanently."
"I shouldn't have returned," Scintilla muttered. "If you had just told me… warned me… I would have stayed away, and you could have just added me to the list of-"
"Of what? Daughters and granddaughters that might be dead and who I'll have to mourn for the rest of my life?" Tiscian snapped. "Besides…"