“You're leaving me?” Cassian's voice cracks as she says it. 

“I can't keep ignoring the Call forever, Cass,” Aldith says. He steps forward into his friend's space, wanting to soothe them. Cassian merely backs away. Aldith’s heart cracks. 

“But, you promised me you wouldn't go down into those wretched depths!” Aldith glances down to the floor, unwilling to meet Cassian's gaze. 

“A promise I made when we were foals should have no bearing on how I choose to live my life in the present.” Cassian snorts in contempt. 

“I just can't believe it. You've never wanted to go down there before. What's changed?” This time, Cassian steps closer to him and he's shying away. Why can't she be happy for him? There's more to life than toiling away on some grain fields for Demeter’s sake! 

“There's adventure to be had, Cass. I'm sick of wasting my life harvesting wheat and barley. There has to be something more fulfilling. Is that so hard for you to understand?” Aldith pleads. 

He and Cass have been friends since foalhood. He can't believe he's about to lose the greatest friend he's ever known to something so trivial. His heart is being pulled in two directions and he's not sure he's brave enough to make the right choice. Silence echoes in the room. 

“I thought you were happy with this life. With me.” There's a pregnant pause before Cassian continues. “Go if that's what you really want. I certainly can't stop you,” with that final remark, Cassian turns and leaves. Aldith moves to follow but hesitates. If he’s going then he has to be serious about it. Let Cassian sulk if she wants to, he still believes in what he said. 

He stands in the empty room for a few beats, contemplating. Then, he walks into his room to pack his bags for the trip into the depths.