Thread: Under the Thumb of a Tyrant (Valanaer x Swagbeast)

As much confidence as Cain had, it began to dwindle as the talk went on, just the way Ammon acted told him it wasn't going his way. It didn't help as she sat on the rundown throne, the combination of the moonlight and the her wine stained lips made him feel like prey in a predators lair. In that moment it wasn't difficult to believe her origin story, the fact that she was from Pala or what had happened to her people at the hands of Hespith. Of course he had heard the stories before, tales of a city seen by few and inhabited by those without gods, a notion that was quite ridiculous to most. He had also heard of Hespith, not specifically in his dealings with Pala or its people but from other campaigns of his and he was a man deserving of the tyrant title. Her argument for war was not convincing as far as Cain was concerned but he didn't have the courage to interrupt the woman, the way she looked and the glare currently directed at him keeping his mouth shut until she was finished. His eyes stayed on her the entire time as if drawn to her, Ammon's visage dazzling. While the cause brought in most of the soldiers and generals, Ammon herself secured numerous people to the cause. At the same time she was beginning to drive Cain away, her words not helping his insecurities about the methods employed and the future of the movement. Ammon had the opposite effect actually, her doubtfulness regarding his appointment as general hit a nerve. Perhaps it was merely pride but the irritation at her last statement broke through his stoic mask. I have heard all the facts surrounding Hespith and his actions, and I do understand why you must fight but there should be a limit to who all you lump together as enemies in this war. You seem to believe that the children and women should be killed along with their fathers and husbands, that a whole village should be decimated due to a single man... It is tyranny the same as you suffered if not worse. Cain took a few steps towards her, his face being hit by the moonlight and showing his youthful face, the emotion he was showing just making him seem all the more young, a trait he usually hid. All I am saying is that your campaign should not mirror Hespith's and instead you should try and quell your enemies without sowing seeds of destruction along the way. Try and show others how important Pala really is, do not allow their ignorance to doom them... And do not allow yours to push people away, because I promise you, while I may be the first to come to you with troubled thoughts, I will not be the last. With that Cain turned and walked towards the door, turning around one last time at the door, And thank you for not believing me to be on the same level as Edmure or York, I hate to think I will ever be as brutish as those two, no matter how effective their methods may be. Cain didn't hesitate for a moment after that, he left the room and headed straight down the stairwell, past the guards and out of the Cathedral. He only paused after making it a good distance away from the building, giving himself a moment to calm down, his heart beating quickly at losing his temper in front of Ammon. There was nothing that could be done about it, the words had been said and could not be taken back, and truthfully he had no desire to take them back. Instead of dwelling on it he walked the rest of the way down the stone path to his tent and went inside, going over and sitting in an oaken chair behind a similar style table. There was not much to do after what had just happened except to wait, something Cain chose to do with a bottle of whiskey now that he was away from Ammon's gaze, it helped settle his nerves.