Signless stares at him, totally stricken by what his descendant is saying, whether that is reasonable or not. What the kid is saying is touching, and that is what makes it so hard for him to stand. The look of shock soon blends into one of grief.

"It is my fault," he says, with a sudden release of emotion that transcends his usual dazed melancholy. He covers his face with his hands, beginning to shake. "All...All of it was my fault."