[Sah'Rumeh Village — At The Border — Continuation]
Silence lingered across the checkpoint. Cold mountain winds swept through the valley; nobody moved and nobody spoke because the appearance of Malik Zeramet had shattered everything Captain Kael had been trying to accomplish.
The young captain stood rigidly, his jaw clenched, his gaze lowered, and for perhaps the first time since becoming captain...he felt genuinely ashamed.
Meanwhile...Zeramet watched him; the Prime Alpha's golden eyes were calm...far too calm, and somehow...that calmness was far more terrifying than anger.
For several moments he remained silent. Then a faint smile appeared upon his face, warm, polite, and dangerous.
"My high priest of my kingdom as always used to say..." His voice flowed smoothly through the cold air. "...that gratitude is a noble virtue."
Silence.
The wolves listened. Even Duke Aren remained quiet, and then Zeramet slowly continued, "And I agree."
A pause.
