Argh, I know, poor Ewen... probably for the best that we don't get this bit from his POV, although him finally coming to trust Keith is lovely from Keith's POV too.

And good point about just how much being able to trust Keith means for him, after everything he's been through. In fact, have another amazingly iddy line, from just after Ewen faints: But Ardroy was not gone far. In a moment or two he raised a hand to his head as he lay there, and murmured something about a ray of hope.

Thank you for linking the research reading—more terribly interesting stuff. :D