Silver and Lilia (pt14)

Silver initially calls Lilia “father” when they meet within his dream but Lilia responds, “I have no son — and certainly no human one,” giving the group permission to call him whatever they want so long as it isn’t “father.”

When Baul argues against letting Silver’s group join the troops Lilia says, “If they ever slow us down, we can just ditch them. Not like we’re responsible for their well-being.” 

Silver reflects, “While he may look the same visually, he’s very different from the father I know. I never really knew him at all, did I…?”

Silver continues to struggle with what he knows of his father and the younger Lilia throughout their journey.

When they come across another group of silver owls later on Lilia unceremoniously kicks Silver into a clearing to use him as bait, saying, “I can get some use out of you.”

Silver does not look “too happy” afterwards and Lilia asks if he is sympathizing with his own kind or perhaps hates underhanded tactics, but then follows with, “Never mind, I don’t actually care. Point is, if you’re staying with us, you’d better make yourself useful.”

Silver again reflects, “It’s definitely my father I’m seeing. But he’s so different from the father I know…”

Later in the dream, however, Silver uses similar tactics when trying to protect Malleus and an unconscious Lilia.

The prefect has the option of reacting with surprise that Silver would suggest an ambush and Silver says, “Father drilled that particular lesson into me from an early age. ’In emergencies, any notion of ‘fair and square’ goes completely out the window.’” He follows with, “Thinking about what l’ve been taught over the years, I’ve realized…Father hasn’t changed all that much from his active duty days aside from his manner of speech, has he?”

Lilia wonders what kind of parent could have raised someone as taciturn and quiet and Silver responds, “I… was raised by a bright, boisterous father. He’s strict but kind. I’m proud to be his son.”

Lilia says that he has never liked children for being obnoxious, selfish, quick to cry and weak: “I shudder to imagine having to look after someone who gets worn out at the slightest exertion.”

Sebek asks if he might change his mind in the future if he were to have a family of his own and Lilia responds that if his history is anything to go by, he will never have a proper family. Silver thanks Sebek.