There’s a boyish hope within the depths of Claudius’ periwinkle eyes that never seems to die. Perhaps such naivety has been molded over the years, folded end over end into admirable qualities like honor and courage. He lives with his innocence as self-aware as he can be, as if some shadowed secret always lingers around the corner, just out of reach.
There are times in the past, dark times, times much forgotten—times that Claudius caught those shadows. Every time, he was swallowed whole, lost, flesh torn by the ravaging claws of anger and anguish. Those memories are ones most untouched, filed in dusty, rusting boxes. The kind of hair-trigger emotions that Claudius prides himself on not feeling live within those recollections. He doesn’t remember what it feels like to panic, to fear, to wonder if his next minutes truly are not guaranteed.
They came to Tephra like the shadows around the corner. Perhaps full of secrets, but mostly an alluring unknown. Something Claudius desperately needed to understand.
Why do they love Tephra? Why are they banding together now?
Are their intentions to ignite hope only to snuff it out?
Nevertheless, Claudius follows them when they go. He never voiced his concerns, never dared to seed even some perceived doubt; but his heart beats as they climb The Mountain, beats so loudly he hears only the aggressive thudding and a blurred ringing.
This must work.
@“Officials”