How strangely similar they are, and how utterly different they continue to be. He is not jealous of what Valdis has experienced, exactly, but there is a longing in him for companionship that does not end in heartbreak and bloodshed.

"Oh, lord, yes I would," Devin agreed with a laugh. "That almost sounds too easy. Dueling could have been interesting, though I'm rather out of practice and the mercenary isn't around any longer to keep me on my toes," he replied with light amusement. Things would have been different if Devin had met Valdis while Dante was still around, he imagined. Quite different, indeed. "Well, at least the Dreaming saw fit to bring something a bit more positive to light than it sometimes does."