Beside Valen, the Ashenclaw leader walked in silence, his presence steady, his expression composed, but to Valen, it was something she watched carefully.
"I still have not known your name," she said at last, her voice calm but deliberate as her gaze remained forward.
There was a brief pause.
"Rhydian," he replied finally, his tone even, though there was something quieter beneath it.
Valen nodded slightly, "Rhydian," she repeated, as though testing the sound of it, committing it to memory.
Then her gaze flicked briefly toward him, "that's a rare name, maybe that's why it's hard to trust you," she added.
Rhydian did not seem offended, "maybe if my name wasn't rare, I would have gained your trust easily," he replied calmly.
Valen's lips pressed together faintly, at least he was consistent, "I would see how my mind changes," she continued, her voice lowering slightly as they turned a corner, the guards ahead stepping aside immediately.
