His words caused everyone to pause. Even the Barons and the Ladies at the far end of the room came to a standstill. Although they hadn't exactly been listening in on the conversation, they were all warriors with heightened senses, and Caldor's words had been spoken clearly enough to reach them regardless. The ambient chatter that once filled the room slowly died down, leaving behind an uneasy stillness.
Even William and Finch fell silent, both of them wondering what Caldor was thinking. After all, even they had never sparred with Asher. They already knew how such a fight would end, and that knowledge alone had been enough to deter them from ever suggesting it.
