❛ i came here to look you in the eye and tell you that you have no power over me. i will no longer be scared of you. ❜
― 𝑺𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑬𝑹𝑺. ( accepting )
trevale , he recalls , is a beautiful settlement of farmlands , and villagers all too stubborn and hearty. perhaps , that had aligned the acclimation in a more positive manner for the girl. between the coast and the mountains , he recalls being both fond of visiting , as well as pleased with the turn out of supplies for the empire.
there were colloquialisms when she had spoke casually , and been overheard by the grand general. something often missed , considering how common war orphans were , unlike the underlying FEAR that was always picked up when swain was spoken to. a tool he used to rule. yet swain , well ... he always was good at observing those that would surpass many expectations. it's something in the way they carry themselves.
perhaps , he ought to respond sooner , more than the contemptuous raise of a brow. offering a moment for her to reconsider words. but he is acutely aware the longer he takes to form words, the angrier riven will become.
❝ is that all you have to say ? all this ... ? for a meager display of valor. ❞
contempt is easily displaced for a moment , as a father might place disappointment on a wayward daughter. she would not return in the way he had once hoped , no , he was no fool of signs. a grandiose display like this ... was a warning for what was to come for him. a dull ache crawls from the scars lining the absent space his arm once held. it tinges the muscles, pulls up towards already tightened jaw, sharpening lines upon his face in shallow light crackling from the ravens loitering about.
❝ i have little use for broken tools. ❞
