“Two pillars. Not being Richard, and my friends. I’d been walking a tightrope between them. Figured I could keep my balance. Hadn’t thought of what I’d do when the rope ran out. Anne being lost broke . . . everything. Couldn’t leave her or she’d die. Vari too: he was never going to walk away. But couldn’t stop her either. Not as the person I was.” I paused. “Two pillars. Myself, all of you. Had to let one fall.”
