Then someone can show Urtho in.

"Ma'ar." Urtho seems unsure how much it's okay to smile. "Though I hear you go by Leareth now. The Kaled'a'in word?"

"For the night sky and the stars," Leareth confirms. "Though apparently in the interim, the Tayledras dialect shifted, and the word it sounds closest to simply means 'darkness', which is not really the aesthetic I was going for although people say it is fitting." 

Urtho seems unsure what to say, so he just nods, and sits down across from Leareth. "I hope you are feeling better today? And - I came to say, that I... That knowing what I do now about your actions recently, I think that it is likely I misjudged your intentions back then as well, and - betrayed you, and caused so much harm in my mistakes." 

Leareth bows his head, he wants to say something, feels like he owes Urtho at least a graceful response to an apology he's had much, much less time to mull over, but he can't force the words out. 

"I am so sorry." 

"I should have surrendered. It took me some centuries to - admit it, because - I still think that I was not in the wrong, but...but it was not worth it, and in the end it is the consequences of my actions and not the intent that matter." 

"- It was not your fault, Ma'ar– Leareth. That is what I just said. I made a mistake. I regret it deeply." 

"You are a good person, Urtho. You were doing your best to figure out the right thing to do, and - it was complicated - and we managed to steer our way to disaster, but it was not all on you. What you did was very understandable, even predictable, though I lacked the experience to see it." 

"Leareth, not every mistake made by others is your personal responsibility. No one can live like that." 

"The consequences do not care. And - I do, try my best, to consider that - I think it is essential, to - live the life I have chosen to live..." He blinks back tears; he wants to at least finish what he has to say before he bursts into tears and confuses Urtho utterly. "I am thankful for your words now. It means a great deal. I do not wish us to be enemies - I never did, I only wanted you to understand what I was trying to build. Can - can we try that, again, now...?" 

When he can't hold the tears back any longer, Leareth tries to at least cry with some dignity. 

This seems to be going well and also he's going to bother Aroden about that spell that lets them talk telepathically the next time he sees him. Probably at the state dinner party next week.

Urtho waits very quietly and politely for Leareth to collect himself a little. He's also dabbing at his eyes, but noticeably less emotional than Leareth, which is kind of startling to say about any person compared to Leareth. 

Leareth moves the conversation to lighter topics, asking Urtho what he's discussing with the researchers and what he thinks about the intervening millennia of Velgarth history. They talk for a few more minutes until Leareth says, courteously, that he's tired and can they speak again later. 

"Of course." Urtho rises, pauses awkwardly, then rests his hand on Leareth's shoulder for a moment. "I was proud of you - it feels like so recently to me, even though I suppose it was millennia ago for you, but - even when you frightened me, even when I wished you would have chosen different accomplishments with your talent, I was very proud." 

"Thank you." Deep breath. "I - would like, at some point, to hear more of what you remember. It was a long time ago and I have no surviving records of it, so - I mostly do not remember anything of my time in your Tower. Except that I think I was happy there." 

"I would like to speak to you of that. But later, I will let you rest now." 

And he waits to be dismissed by the pharaoh, even though this adds some awkwardness to the interaction with Leareth. 

It really does but he'll try to minimize it. 

And then he'll go give Leareth a hug.

Leareth sags into his arms. "I think that went well but it was very exhausting." 

"That makes sense." Hug.

"We should be able to work together without awkwardness in the long run, I think. And - he seems unlikely to do anything unilateral and overly hasty in your service. I do not think he ever wanted to be in charge of the war in Tantara." 

"That is the sense I got, yeah. He would prefer to act when there's a consensus. It feels - safe -" He bites his lip. He thought his palace was safe too.

Leareth notices his hesitation, and squeezes him more tightly. "I do not think we should completely let down our guard about - something going wrong, there. But I am mostly optimistic." 

Nod. "I have decided to badger Aroden about a telepathy solution. I'd like to be able to - talk to you without an audience."

"I would very much like that. Honestly I would like it if we already had it for the party, there are going to be so many people and - I do not have very much practice with charming people at that kind of event. You are far better at it. Aroden usually has telepathy with Parmida and she prompts him."