Malcolm sat absolutely gobsmacked by the young man. Did he think he was being helpful, or just funny? His mouth made a hard line, not quite a frown, but as his brow knotted, the warden’s disapproval was evident.
Avari, sensing the man’s anguish, wiped her mouth and sat holding her empty stew bowl in both hands. “You have the right man,” she told Aeon, “newly appointed Warden of Rynmere.”
“North,” Malcolm corrected her, “I was appointed Warden of the North, Gawyne and Krome are regions,” he explained, it seemed there were those among them who didn't quite know how this all worked, or even what the campaign was about. “Sergeant, I think you're mistaken, I wasn't giving you an option, I was giving you an order. Eat, and tell me about the beast, by the time we have returned to the city, your cautionary tale will have been no good to anyone. Perhaps you don't understand what leadership means, part of accepting the role of warden is staying informed so that I am able to make the best decision before we run into trouble. I don't know if you've ever had to take a young man home to his family and justify why you weren't able to return him safely, why he died on your watch while you still breathe, having endured the same dangers.”
Malcolm thought of Simon then, the only knight who had ever lost his life in Malcolm’s care. He thought of the young man’s family, potential, and friends, many of which still marched with him today. “I know what you're thinking, lad, that you're sitting across from an ambitious old fool who married into a wealthy noble family for leg up. But believe me, if you want to compare breaks, trials, and arcs, or perhaps even scars, I have a lifetime on yours, and unlike you, I have just over one hundred men and women in my care who all want to get home in one piece. So the next time I ask you a question, you best bloody well answer, or you'll be on the next horse home.”
Godric and Avari shared a quiet glance and cast their eyes down at their feet. They had travelled with Malcolm all summer, and this was the first time he had made either of them feel uncomfortable in his presence, whether or not he had a point. It unnerved the woman especially, she knew how frightening the man could be, even while he spoke in that deep, but calm tone of voice.
“As for you two,” Malcolm cast his eye on Kylar and Atashi. “We march towards the Burning Mountains to face what could be as many as four thousand leaderless rebels. They have been hiding in those mountains for the best part of the season now after fleeing their failed attempt at civil war in Saun. They will be hungry, divided, and cold. Up there their numbers don't concern me, but the beast does, the same one who took his arm” Malcolm gestured at Aeon, “I've only heard rumours, but if the beast really is an individual cursed by one of immortals, the more prepared we are now, the better chance you all have of getting home in one piece.”
Avari, sensing the man’s anguish, wiped her mouth and sat holding her empty stew bowl in both hands. “You have the right man,” she told Aeon, “newly appointed Warden of Rynmere.”
“North,” Malcolm corrected her, “I was appointed Warden of the North, Gawyne and Krome are regions,” he explained, it seemed there were those among them who didn't quite know how this all worked, or even what the campaign was about. “Sergeant, I think you're mistaken, I wasn't giving you an option, I was giving you an order. Eat, and tell me about the beast, by the time we have returned to the city, your cautionary tale will have been no good to anyone. Perhaps you don't understand what leadership means, part of accepting the role of warden is staying informed so that I am able to make the best decision before we run into trouble. I don't know if you've ever had to take a young man home to his family and justify why you weren't able to return him safely, why he died on your watch while you still breathe, having endured the same dangers.”
Malcolm thought of Simon then, the only knight who had ever lost his life in Malcolm’s care. He thought of the young man’s family, potential, and friends, many of which still marched with him today. “I know what you're thinking, lad, that you're sitting across from an ambitious old fool who married into a wealthy noble family for leg up. But believe me, if you want to compare breaks, trials, and arcs, or perhaps even scars, I have a lifetime on yours, and unlike you, I have just over one hundred men and women in my care who all want to get home in one piece. So the next time I ask you a question, you best bloody well answer, or you'll be on the next horse home.”
Godric and Avari shared a quiet glance and cast their eyes down at their feet. They had travelled with Malcolm all summer, and this was the first time he had made either of them feel uncomfortable in his presence, whether or not he had a point. It unnerved the woman especially, she knew how frightening the man could be, even while he spoke in that deep, but calm tone of voice.
“As for you two,” Malcolm cast his eye on Kylar and Atashi. “We march towards the Burning Mountains to face what could be as many as four thousand leaderless rebels. They have been hiding in those mountains for the best part of the season now after fleeing their failed attempt at civil war in Saun. They will be hungry, divided, and cold. Up there their numbers don't concern me, but the beast does, the same one who took his arm” Malcolm gestured at Aeon, “I've only heard rumours, but if the beast really is an individual cursed by one of immortals, the more prepared we are now, the better chance you all have of getting home in one piece.”
