As the days went by, and Zepar continued to travel alongside the knights, he and Orin had many conversations. Each time, Orin would make his case for keeping hope alive, and being a driving force for change. And each time, Zepar would refute his words, reminding the idealistic knight how cruel the world was, especially to those who tried to be better.
By the end of the first week, Zepar had stopped pushing back quite as adamantly. He actually enjoyed their debates, and more than that, he didn't exactly hate Orin's company. He hated to admit it, but he actually found the man's upbeat attitude refreshing.
"You know, you're kinda scary when you scowl like that," Orin commented as he walked beside Zepar. "Which is most of the time, by the way. Do you ever smile?"
"I smiled the day we met, so you know I do," Zepar pointed out. "But no, I don't do it often."
"Ya know, smiling costs you nothing, and it's a good way to brighten someone's day," Orin said with a bright smile. "Which, can brighten your day in return."
"Ya know what else costs nothing?" Zepar growled. "Shutting up."
"You're in a sour mood this morning," Orin said teasingly. "Did you forget your tea today?"
"I had my tea, thank you," Zepar spat. "I'm just in no mood for optimistic drivel."
"So a normal morning then?" Orin teased.
"Yes," Zepar admitted, the corners of his lips curling up ever so slightly. "A normal morning."
Later that night, Zepar and Orin took the first watch together. This had become their routine, during which they would debate and discuss their home lives.
"So that girl back home, you like her?" Orin asked conversationally. "I mean, it seems like you're stringing her along."
Zepar closed his eyes and sighed before staring into the smoldering embers from the fire.
"Honestly, I do like her," he admitted. "But I don't know enough about who I am. How can I give myself to someone if even I don't know what they're signing up for?"
"What could be so bad," Orin asked. "You seem alright to me, a bit rough around the edges, a little moody…" he chuckled. "But you seem to genuinely care about people, even if you pretend otherwise."
"You wouldn't say that if you knew my origins," Zepar said quietly.
"I'll bet a silver I would," Orin challenged.
"Alright then, it's your money," Zepar grunted. "Have you heard of a lich called Dirkaz?"
Orin froze, his smile dropping at the mention of the name. Of course he'd heard the name. Zardeem Dirkaz had been like a plague in the world for over a century.
"Of course," Orin said solemnly. "Who hasn't?"
"I'm his son," Zepar said grimly.
Orin's eyes widened slightly as he processed this information. He didn't know how it was even possible for an undead necromancer to conceive a child, nor how said child could look so human.
"Hmm, I see," Orin mused. "And? My dad was a drunk."
"That's not the same thing," Zepar snarled. "Did you grow up with everyone treating you like you were a drunk like your father?" He pointed a finger in Orin's face. "Were you treated like a monster until you finally believed it?"
It had been years since Zepar had felt so angry. He knew rationally that Orin hadn't meant to trivialize his suffering, but the wound was still raw all those years later.
"But you're not a monster," Orin argued. "A monster wouldn't agonize over whether or not he is one."
Zepar looked away, trying to process Orin's words. Orin was the second person to know of his origins and accept him anyways, but his origins were only part of the story. But he wasn't quite ready to share the rest. He sighed and tossed a silver coin at Orin, smacking the unprepared knight in the forehead with it.
"Ouch!"
"Don't be such a baby," Zepar chastised him. He then waved his hand and the earth shifted, forming a stone chess board and pieces. "Care for a game?"
Orin smiled and sat on the log opposite Zepar to begin their game. He'd seen it that first night after they'd met, Zepar was in pain. He was hurting due to a life of persecution and prejudice. Orin empathized with that pain, even if he couldn't sympathize. Zepar actually reminded him of an old fable. And if he could, he wanted to pull the proverbial thorn out, and help Zepar realize he was no beast.