Augustus' hand began to shake as the bitter cold wasted no time setting up his wound.
Icy winds whipped against the cut, splattering blood in every unpredictable direction. A little bit splashed onto Claude's cheek and the man laughed as he wiped it away, look far too delighted for the crown prince's liking.
"So how did you come to serve under my father?" he asked, uncomfortable with waiting and looking over his shoulder at the black trees around them.
"You're not worried something will come out between those trees and gobble you up?"
"Do take care to remember that I am not a frightened child," Augustus sighed. "And cannot be misdirected from my question which I would prefer not to repeat."
"I was not trying to misdirect," Claude protested with as innocent of a look as he could muster.
Augustus gave him a halfhearted grin and crossed his arms, making it clear he would wait until he got a response.
