"Powerful," he said after thinking for a few moments. The sensation of dozens of trees offering up their strength, whispering their support and echoing his desire for the invaders to suffer and die was more intoxicating than the strongest wine he'd ever tasted. "I felt strong and mighty… like I'd finally become strong enough to protect the people relying on me."
"And?" Ashlynn asked pointedly. "Is that all you felt?"
"No," the young man said, shaking his head as he recalled his feelings at the time. "I was… happy, I think. I was glad that it hurt so much, that they didn't die without knowing the kind of suffering my friends had endured because of them. I, I wanted it to last longer," he said awkwardly, looking away from Ashlynn as shame burned in his heart. "I didn't want them to die so quickly when Milo's archers opened fire but…"
"But you remembered your mission," Ashlynn said. "Even as you were consumed by vengeance, you remembered your duty."
