“We're similar in that, at least. My parents were fine folks, just too many mouths to feed and of course there are certain expectations in regards to service within Alriah. I was fairly young when I went off to training, large for my size even then. I never went back for visits either. The travel just wasn't worth it. Didn't take a wife. Had enough sense. Away too much. I expected I would die. Wasn't the best soldier out there, not confident in my ability to make it home. It wouldn't have been fair.” What he'd done would have been worse. If he'd taken a wife most certainly she would have wished that he'd been cut down in battle than running like a coward. Men like him didn't deserve the air they breathed but Ardnt was greedy. He just as easily soaked up whatever altruism this man had to give him.<br/><br/>Ardnt snorted when Luitwin brought up the common internal structure of man. They were both probably desensitized to such, yet it would mean different things to either of them. Luitwin put people, even people like him, back together. And quite possibly more than just physically. Or so it seemed he was going to try, but for Ardnt, internally he was one giant festering wound. Luitwin was an ambitious man indeed.<br/><br/>“It's still odd that you, a man of principal and medical background would be so interested in a man like me.” Ardnt leaned just a little closer, lowering his voice. “As someone who is<i>trained</i>in taking the human body apart, but only in the most destructive of ways. A butcher. I have seen surgeons. Few. Brought in for an experienced general Alriah couldn't afford to lose. They are artists. As close to it as I've seen, I think.” His eyes swept Luitwin. Not lewdly, but some seed of admiration planted. For his constitution and purity. While he hadn't been taking things seriously at the beginning Luitwin's earnestness was wearing on him. He didn't believe a lot of what he'd said, no. But at the very least he was listening respectfully. He found his perspective interesting; new and refreshing.<br/><br/>“It's comforting to know even the greatest men are one step away from sin,” he said with a laugh. “I've never tried to look at it that way. Even less so bad men being one step away from good. Which one is easier, do you think? Coming back from it or allowing that first taste of wickedness?” Had it been difficult for Ardnt? He couldn't remember.<br/><br/>When conversation fell off Luitwin went back to reading.<br/><br/>“If you'd like to give your voice a break,” Ardnt said patiently. He would have sat quietly for as long as Luitwin would have read to him but there were probably other tasks he needed to attend to.<br/><br/>“Later is fine. And yes, a walk at the very least would do me some good.” He rolled his shoulder, getting a feel for how the skin pulled. Too soon to push it with any of the soldiering drills he remembered when he'd been snowed indoors in tight communal quarters.