Gannicus looked down, watching him for a moment before his gaze lowered to the sheets beneath them. "Everyone I have held to heart has died. Often in my sight."

Melitta, Oenomaus, Attius, Saxa. The list grew depressingly long if he added those he counted as friends and brothers. But those - those had been the closest to him.

"Ill fate follows loving me. I fear the loss of you just as I have found you."