"Aren't you full of surprises, gnome," Stephan said, his tone flat but edged with venom.
"You misjudged me, human," King Orak replied, clearly delighted with himself. "You thought I was some random wanderer."
Stephan slid his hands into his pockets, his grin thin and sharp. "I had my suspicions. Something about you never sat right." He glanced around the stone hall, chuckling under his breath. "Nice little castle you've built for yourself."
Orak smirked. "Spare me the flattery. Or is it mockery? Either way, it doesn't suit you."
Stephan's grin widened. "So tell me, Orak, is Olath your kid?"
The king's expression flickered, then he nodded. "How did you guess? Do we look alike?"
Stephan laughed, the sound quick and cruel. "Everyone here looks the same. Male, female, child....it's like you're all stamped from the same mold."
Orak leaned forward, unbothered. "In a sense, we are. We're gnomes. That's kinship enough."
