"Prince."
His greeting is short- clipped, almost, and easily missed, if it were not for the fact that they were the only two around in this particular hall.
A coincidence, and a welcome one, for the fact that Zasha had failed to give any sort of greeting or indication that the two of them had any connection beyond the obvious (those traits that they shared, something that people over here lacked), in case his preparations had proven lacking.
After all, if even one of Prince Kurt's own guard could fall prey to shadow, there was no knowing who else would.
"I trust you aren't here to pick out a grave," He warns, "Since I went through the effort of covering your tracks."
He appears silently, wings so dark they look blue under the light framing his figure. Kurt has come to keep an ear out for the sound of fluttering wings due to the pair possessed by his fiancée, but here on the ground, there is almost no sound at all. Blocked off from the rustling of wind by the walls, not even a single feather moves out of place.
"Zasha!"
In contrast to the clipped words of the mercenary, Kurt's face is first surprised before easing into a smile at the unexpected appearance.
If someone else were to pass by at this moment, perhaps they might misconstrue Zasha's words as a threat toward a scoundrel, the kind of prince who lives with wolves nipping at his heels. It's a verbal sword pressed against his throat, ready to draw blood if he were to try to back away here. The slight smile on his face is replaced by a serious expression; although he may wear the uniform of a student, it is his identity as prince that overtakes all else when faced with his own people.
"I cannot die yet. I will not die yet." Kurt answers Zasha's words with grim determination. "Since coming here, it has become clear to me just how far I still need to go to attain the strength I need. Personal strength, connections... there is so much I still don't have yet. I have seen with my own eyes what a kingdom on the mend looks like and heard of what it took to get it there."
He closes his eyes for a moment and then opens them once more. It will not be an easy road forward. That is why he had come to this foreign country to gather strength in the first place and his resolve had only become stronger over time.
"I will continue forward on this path so long as you are still willing to walk behind me, Zasha. I have not given up yet. As long as I still live, that will remain true."










