[Ridge]
The Duke was indeed not very impressed to see me, but he was also not surprised that I was still there. In fact, those were his exact words.
"Ah, I suppose I'm not surprised you're still here." In a condescending voice, of course.
If someone hates someone else, surely that's enough reason to not want to be around them right? So what is my current predicament exactly? Shrouded in the early light of the morning, Duke Riddotha has cornered me while I'm on watch.
I can't even just leave to get away from him, not that I would anyway. I'd rather not disrespect a Noble and have all my war contributions forgotten. If the Imperial family, who were apparently taken away by some of the Duke's soldiers to a safehouse, recognize my efforts, I could reap some worthwhile rewards.
It seems like a selfish thought, for those who aren't poor. If I really don't want to go back to the Ravenous guard when all is said and done, I'll be out of a job. I don't know if that's the path I'm really prepared to commit to or not, but I won't risk pissing off the Duke any further if I can help it.
Which is why whatever this scenario is, is a very bad idea, "Your Grace?"
"This must be the first time we've spoken like this. Strange, for how often you were around my son." What's he playing at? What does this old man want from me? "Yed, I remember you, boy. You were always there."
I listen silently, scanning the trees and hoping my lack of response doesn't offend him. I don't know what to say. This is the man who raised my best friend on tough love. If not something worse. The same man who just swept in and saved us with a massacre on par with the Eldmiss cruelty.
To my relief, he continues the one sided conversation himself, no output from me needed, "The little commoner boy he would run off to when things got difficult. He never had much spine back then. I suppose you must have had something to do with correcting that, being around do often and whatnot.
"He always chose you, I could not understand it. I didn't bother to find out though. Everytime he came back from that blasted Academy he was filled with more and more resolve and determination. Somehow you did everything I failed to." Why is one of the most powerful people in the Empire ranting to me about how jealous he was of someone else raising his son better than him? Do I really have to listen to this rant...?
"Somehow," he whispers, "you took away the monster I couldn't destroy."
"What do you mean by that, Your Grace?" I ask tentatively. I don't have any desire to gossip about my friend with this man, but I do want to know why his own father would call him as such.
"Did you never notice? That would be impossible." He grumbles.
"Notice what...?"
"That boy is so dangerous." The Duke's eyes shimmer, and for the first time I know exactly what I'm seeing behind the man's rigid expression. He's always been cold, but now I can see how he's frozen from fear.
Duke Riddotha is terrified of his own son.