[Folwren]

Thornden stared in disbelief and then broke eye-contact to glance about the room. He wanted to laugh and yell in exasperation at the same time. Anger built up in him and he decided suddenly what to say. His eyes snapped back to Athanar’s face.

“Do not toy with me, my lord. I will not pronounce my own judgment. You may do to me as you will, but I will stand firmly in defense of my men. My soldier did not skirmish – he defended the honor of Lady Saeryn. I can say nothing for Javan’s behavior, but he has been punished for that. And I say again that Lithor did not and would never mean harm or disrespect. I understand each group of men you lead must be led differently, but I am sure that you have truly misread the men here. You came and took over without any consideration that we were still mourning the loss of Lord Eodwine, and it is your fault those two men deserted you.”