[Hector had felt it the moment he had stirred from unconsciousness earlier that afternoon -- an energy that both familiar and foreign, almost reaching out to alert the white-haired man of its presence.]

[But he doesn't call out to Isaac, not at first; Julia's words come back to him, as clear as when she had first spoken them: 'My brother has always respected you.']

[Hector wracks his brain for hours for something to greet him with, tries to think of ways to getting in contact with Isaac even while he went about his business.]

[When the other Forgemaster's lilting voice comes through the journal, teasingly admonishing him, he laughs softly.]

I'd search myself, but I do not believe that these people would be so willing to aid me.

[...] I was wondering if I were, perhaps, going mad. I am glad to find that I have not yet lost my reason.

['Glad to know you are free of the curse,' are the words that remain unspoken.]