The boy did not falter at his barbed words, standing firm, if a touch stiff. As Foulques had expected, the mantle of leadership yet sat uneasily upon his young shoulders, though he made an admirable attempt to hide this fact. And one not used to sizing up an opponent for weak points to strike at may even have been fooled by it. But he stood before a trained Lancer, and if Foulques' gaze carried not true ill intent, it was both sharp and unwavering. A subtle challenge, and a look that made no secret of the fact that he was weighing Ben's every word and gesture with the scrutiny of an Ul'Dahan merchant.
And Mal's, to a lesser extent. Perhaps somewhat ironically, out of the two of them, he trusted her more, if only because she hadn't grown up knowing the kindness that her young love had. He still suspected that even the Isle could not compare to the cruelties men regularly visited upon each other in his own world, though wisely did not say so. Even at its worst, theirs was a kinder world than his own, but he found he couldn't begrudge them this fact. T'was merely how the threads of their fates had been spun, and unlike the so called teachers who resided on the Isle, he had no plans to wallow in bitterness, cursing the gods bemoaning his fate instead of attempting to improve it. Not this time.
At the suggestion that he question the other so-called teachers he gave a snort of distain. "I question whether they would have aught of value to say," he said. "The old virago in particular has made it abundantly clear that she would rather rot than turn her cloak. But if you believe it worth my while, I shall consider it."
"For the present, however, I should return to the task at hand and relate to you the rest of my tale, lest the topic of conversation drift again. Our time together is rather limted, after all."
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And Mal's, to a lesser extent. Perhaps somewhat ironically, out of the two of them, he trusted her more, if only because she hadn't grown up knowing the kindness that her young love had. He still suspected that even the Isle could not compare to the cruelties men regularly visited upon each other in his own world, though wisely did not say so. Even at its worst, theirs was a kinder world than his own, but he found he couldn't begrudge them this fact. T'was merely how the threads of their fates had been spun, and unlike the so called teachers who resided on the Isle, he had no plans to wallow in bitterness, cursing the gods bemoaning his fate instead of attempting to improve it. Not this time.
At the suggestion that he question the other so-called teachers he gave a snort of distain. "I question whether they would have aught of value to say," he said. "The old virago in particular has made it abundantly clear that she would rather rot than turn her cloak. But if you believe it worth my while, I shall consider it."
"For the present, however, I should return to the task at hand and relate to you the rest of my tale, lest the topic of conversation drift again. Our time together is rather limted, after all."