//------------------------------//
// Meaning 
// Story: Death Becomes Her 
// by daOtterGuy 
//------------------------------//

Hisan and Somnambula trotted side-by-side through the palace, past scenic views of the village through open windows. A few days had passed since Somnambula had rescued Hisan from the Sphinx and she had been invited to keep him company.

“I cannot thank you enough, Somnambula,” Hisan said with admiration in his voice. “I can’t bear to think what would have transpired without your timely intervention.”

“Presumably, you would have found yourself at the bottom of the Sphinx’s stomach, Prince,” Somnambula replied, bemused.

Hisan chuckled. “Well, thankfully that is not the case.” He paused for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought. “Would you mind if I ask you a personal question?”

“Not at all.”

“When you made that leap of faith, did you doubt my words?”

“No,” Somnambula replied without hesitation.

“Why?”

“Because of the hope I had for you.”

Hisan looked at Somnambula with an intense look. “Explain,” he commanded.

“What is there to explain?” She stopped. Hisan followed suit shortly afterward. “I had always hoped that, when you ascended to the throne after your father’s passing, you would be greater than him. I allowed that hope to guide my actions, and have been rewarded with knowledge of your better nature.”

“Truly?” Hisan asked. Somnambula nodded. “You really had no doubts at all?”

“None.”

He furrowed his brow in thought once more. “May I ask another question, Somnambula?”

“Of course.”

“What is hope to you?”