There was a sound in the darkness, and Albert Silverberg opened his eyes and looked at the other bed in the room. He could barely make out anything, but he could see enough to gather that the occupant of the other bed had sat up and was staring at his hands. What made the man he worked for do that, he had no idea; but while Albert usually lacked compassion, he did somehow pity this man. He sat up himself and reached for the lantern on the nightstand to light it.

"Is something the matter, Master Luc?" He asked while lighting the lantern. He looked at the other man and saw Luc make a quick attempt to appear normal, although the frown on his face gave him away.

The younger man shook his head and said nothing. Younger - or he at least looked younger than Albert did, although the strategist had the impression Luc was not what he appeared to be. In the lantern's pale light he looked no older than a teenager. "A nightmare, perhaps?" Albert asked, his voice concerned. As good as Albert was at faking his emotions if necessary, for once, his concern was genuine.

Luc lay back down and adjusted his blanket then gave the strategist a dismissive glance. "It's nothing," he said, even if his voice wasn't as convincing as the appearance he was trying to keep up. He noticed this and frowned again, and he then took a deep breath to calm himself.

A moment passed in silence then Albert shook his head. "It would endanger the plans if you're were to fall ill, Master Luc," he said. "You should take better care of yourself. I've noticed you having trouble sleeping."

"I'm fine," Luc hastily replied. "It's just the same old dreams of how the world ends up if we don't stop it from happening. It has nothing to do with my personal well-being or not resting enough." He sighed. "I... can't rest, Albert. I keep getting this feeling I'm running out of time."

The man's voice sounded gloomy, or perhaps a little sad. Albert discarded the thought as he didn't wish to analyze too much. There were things that he preferred not to know about the man he had offered his services to, but he was too sharp when it came to studying people. He couldn't keep himself from noticing certain things about Luc, and even if some of those things made him wonder, he chose not to ask.

"The runes have their own minds," Luc continued. It wasn't anything the strategist hadn't heard before, but he listened nonetheless. "They choose their bearers and change their bearers at will. While we have the way to acquire the other elemental runes..." He paused for a second. "Perhaps if we were able to use... No, those few men who once had enough power to have some control over their runes grew tired of war." Albert noticed a hint of a smile on Luc's face as the man turned to look toward the window. "Ah, never mind it. I just let my thoughts wander. It's meaningless to think about this now, since it won't make any difference in the outcome. When I complete this plan, he'll be free as well."

"He?" Albert asked, his gaze studying the other man. Luc never talked about his past or his old companions, so it was rather surprising to hear the man actually mention someone. The way Luc spoke also seemed to refer to a certain someone, and Albert couldn't help but find it intriguing. "Are you speaking of an old friend, perhaps?"

Luc looked thoughtful for a moment, like he had trouble deciding on what to reply. "Someone I once knew," he settled to. "It's been a long time since then. He had a True Rune, another one of those that brought forth a war. One that took the lives of those close to him as well. I witnessed it close to him and saw how his rune worked. As usual, it brought nothing good."

There was a moment of silence then Albert nodded. "Is this one of your reasons for wanting to destroy the runes? To free him of his fate?" The strategist asked, then nodded, thoughtful. "McDohl. You're talking about him, aren't you?"

"Does it make any difference to you if I am or am not?" Luc replied, his voice taking an odd tone. "Certainly, he was the hero of the country you were born in, but that probably doesn't mean a thing to you. You're not too patriotic, are you, Albert?" The strategist shook his head, and Luc nodded then closed his eyes. "I don't doubt he'd disagree with what I'm doing now, even if he knew it would free him. I also doubt he'll think good of me if he survives, but..." He smiled, appearing tired. "Ah, you're right. I really should rest."

He went quiet after that, and Albert studied him for a moment before putting out the lantern. He laid back down, not commenting on the last part of the conversation. If it was part of the man's motivations... No, Albert told himself. It was best not to analyze what relationship the two had had in the past. He closed his eyes but lay awake for a while until he heard Luc's breathing calming as the man fell asleep. For now, he hoped the rune bearer's dreams were more pleasant.