Noel stiffened.
Gordon lifted his head, looking at Demian with an expression that had now turned fully serious. "Your Grace…"
"I am not speaking of forgiveness," Demian went on without looking at them. "I am speaking of debt."
He turned. The air around him shifted pressing, making it harder to breathe.
"Vedssel still draws breath because I allowed it," he said coldly. "He and his clan still exist because I chose to look away."
He stopped directly in front of Gordon.
"So make sure this message is delivered."
His voice dropped, almost to a whisper and that was what made it terrifying.
"Refusal is not an option."
Gordon swallowed.
"If he refuses," Demian continued, "then it will not be only him who disappears."
The fire in the hearth crackled sharply, as if answering his words.
"His clan," Demian said calmly, "will be destroyed. Nothing left. No place to flee. No caravans. No names."
Noel clenched his fists. "Your Grace… that would mean—"
