Jerome gave a faint smile. "Of course, I went. I may be rough around the edges, but loyalty always comes first. Unfortunately, by the time I reached Chetvine, it was already too late. I never got to see him. The only thing I could do was protect his family and help hold off the enemies who were hunting them."

He sighed deeply. "In the end, I couldn't do much. I heard that the whole incident turned into a bloodbath. Many people died, and all of Chetvine was shaken. Even his only son didn't survive it.

"I searched the battlefield on the outskirts like a madman, over and over. If I'd managed to bring his child back that day, he would've been about Eric's age now."

As he spoke, pain flickered in Jerome's eyes.

He gave a self-deprecating laugh and shook his head slightly. "Forgive me, Dr. Lloyd. I've said too much. It's been a long time since I talked to anyone about that part of the past. I'm not even sure why, but something about seeing you reminded me of my friend, and the words