Raul’s point of view
I stared at Lord Thaddeus as if seeing him for the first time.
His expression had changed.
The lines of his face had softened, and his eyes glowed with something I couldn’t name.
He said something, but I didn’t hear it.
A rushing filled my ears.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
For the first time in my life, my helmet felt unbearably heavy.
He stepped toward me and lightly touched my arm.
“Commander, you should sit. I know the right place.”
At last, I heard his voice.
I followed him without a word.
We descended a narrow, steep path carved into the cliffside, dropping several dozen meters until we reached the arched mouth of a shallow cave. Lord Thaddeus gestured for me to sit on a large rounded stone, still warm from the sun. He moved with a kind of quiet
