Doubts

"Our older brothers had to care for us," she pressed on, her voice softer now, yet carrying a bitterness that had long been buried. "You were supposed to be our guide. Our protector. But you vanished, leaving us to fend for ourselves in a world that had already forsaken us."

Veydris who has been silent all this time, crossed his arms, his expression grim. "She's right."

Fafnir and zarathorak exhaled, looking away. They had made peace with this long ago—but that didn't mean the pain wasn't still there.

Ingi closed his eyes for a moment. "You think I left by choice?" His voice was quiet but firm. "You think I wanted to leave my own children?"

Frostfang's lips pressed into a thin line, her body rigid.

Ingi took a step forward. "You do not know the whole story."

Her gaze locked onto him, emotions warring in her eyes. "Then tell me, Father," she said, voice low. "Tell me why you left us to suffer alone."