"It makes no odds to me if any of those who reluctantly call this place home are too stubborn or spiteful to see which way the wind blows and act accordingly," he said to Mal. "But I shall consider it. Assuming I have anything he might want." Which was a rather big assumption at present.
When he turned his gaze to Ben, it became somewhat more thoughtful. "Had I the courage of a true lancer, I would have been able to stand firm in the face of death. That is the nature of the lancers art. A lance is many things, but it is not a shield; it affords you nowhere to hide. If one succumbs to panic, whatever the reason, they lose the the power to attack, which is a lancer's strength. Until I can face the possibility of my death with composure, I am no true lancer."
"But I do not doubt that your mother and father's words were true for them, and likely for you. Yours is, as I said, a kind world. Gods willing, neither you nor they will ever require the courage of a lancer. And for the present, I will accept your words in the spirit in which they were given." He gave a slight bow in Ben's direction to indicate his gratitude.
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When he turned his gaze to Ben, it became somewhat more thoughtful. "Had I the courage of a true lancer, I would have been able to stand firm in the face of death. That is the nature of the lancers art. A lance is many things, but it is not a shield; it affords you nowhere to hide. If one succumbs to panic, whatever the reason, they lose the the power to attack, which is a lancer's strength. Until I can face the possibility of my death with composure, I am no true lancer."
"But I do not doubt that your mother and father's words were true for them, and likely for you. Yours is, as I said, a kind world. Gods willing, neither you nor they will ever require the courage of a lancer. And for the present, I will accept your words in the spirit in which they were given." He gave a slight bow in Ben's direction to indicate his gratitude.