[ Far too smart for his own good, in spite of himself in fact. But not afraid to share that knowledge with both his peers and betters. And, yes, even with those whom might be deemed his lessers. That so big a heart shared what had transpired with Alisaie does not surprise Ysayle.

But she will not allow falsehoods to be believed in place of truth. ]

No. [She does not hide the grimace that springs to the fore, nor the edge of bitterness in her tone.] A 'goddess clad in flesh' I may have been, but that which was summoned...Was not Saint Shiva herself. She was naught but a shadow fashioned from ice and aether, and the wishes within a foolish woman's heart.

[ It had been a nasty shock, to be told so by Hraesvelgr, but the dragon himself would surely have recognised his beloved had she been reincarnated truly, rather than still remain soul bound to soul.

Ysayle does not dwell on it, easy as that depression fact was to sink bank into. Instead, she offers a single nod in reply to the younger woman's question. ]

Shiva...I suffered too many blows from the Garleans. I know that I brought the vessel to a halt, that it could travel no further. But the crystal I used was spent in the effort, along with the last of mine own aether.

[her eyes hold Alisaie's, unwavering] It was there than I met my end. I know there was light. And then, great darkness.

I should have returned to the light of the Mothercrystal. Instead, I awoke here. [more or less]