Malcolm's leonine countenance remained unreadable as Tristan laid bare his torments. Only after the final sob faded into the tomb-like silence did the phantasm stir to life.
Otherworldly emerald light blazed in Malcolm's eyes. Slowly, with undisguised gravitas, Malcolm prowled directly up to where Tristan sagged in his restraints.
"I'm sorry, brother..." Malcolm managed in a cracked whisper. "I've failed us both beyond what you can fathom."
Tristan longed to reassure his stalwart brother that no blame lay at his feet. But the scalding truth seared his soul - when they had faced oblivion's hour, Malcolm could not shield him from their dire peril.
Trepidation gripped him like a child as he absorbed Malcolm's earlier portentous vow: "...tell me, that I might know the vengeance to inflict
