"Ah... I see. So that is why you and my wife have been spending so much time together behind my back. Goodness gracious! I was this close to believing that you two are having an affair."
Warden coughed, then smiled subtly.
"What... what the hell are you talking about? An affair? Preposterous! We were merely conspiring to challenge a Nightmare while leaving you behind."
Jest clenched his fists.
Of course. Both he and his wife were members of the initial group that had conquered Bastion with Warden — two of his most loyal and powerful followers. Both of them were Masters, as well. And while Jest had played an integral role in building the world Warden had envisioned, his wife wielded a much more destructive Aspect.
So, it was not surprising that Warden would want her to be a part of his cohort once again.
It was also not surprising why he would choose to leave Jest behind, this time.
But, still.
Jest wanted to hear it from Warden's own mouth.
"Why?"
Warden sighed.
He leaned over the table, and then said quietly:
"Because you are not in the best shape? Because there is no telling how long the Third Nightmare will take, and your son is fifteen — so, at least one of his parents should be with him if the Spell calls. Because we spent so much time building this world, and I need to leave someone I trust behind to keep it all from falling apart while I am gone."
Warden paused for a while before adding:
"Because Anvil and Madoc have both grown up, but even though they are already Awakened, I still want someone to watch over them. This world is full of sharks, after all. And you are my best shark."
Jest remained silent for a long time.
There was a lot he wanted to say... a lot of bitter words that burned his tongue.
But in the end, he simply grinned.
"I think you are starting to show symptoms of dementia, old boy. I am not a shark. I am obviously a person."
Warden chuckled.
"Ha! This one... was actually funny."
Then, he froze for a moment and shook his head.
"No, wait. I actually laughed. Perhaps I am really suffering from dementia..."
Both of them laughed.
...Not long after that, Warden took a cohort of his most powerful warriors, including Jest's wife, to challenge the Third Nightmare.
However, this time, none of the had returned. That was how the legend of Warden of Valor, the brilliant shield that protected humanity, had come to an end.