The silence stretched on for what felt like an eternity, broken only by the sound of heavy breathing and the occasional drip of sweat hitting the tent floor. The eight knights remained frozen in their kneeling positions, muscles trembling from both exhaustion and anticipation of their commander's judgment.
Finally, Seraphine broke the oppressive quiet, her voice cutting through the air with its familiar coldness.
"Rise. Your late arrival is forgiven."
The words were delivered with her characteristic detached tone, but there was no accompanying punishment, no harsh reprimand, no additional training assigned as penance. Just simple, direct forgiveness.
No extra drills. No threats. Just forgiveness.
I don't want Leon to think I'm too harsh. Her eyes flicked toward him briefly. Maybe I have been too hard on them. They nearly collapsed just trying to catch up.
