The Emperor

Lyon's lips curled into an amused smile as he crossed his arms casually, the ropes that once bound him now hanging loosely from one of his arms. Alaric's raised eyebrows betrayed his surprise and wariness, his eyes narrowing as he realized that Lyon was no longer restrained.

A tense silence settled between them, broken only by the rhythmic sounds of the horse's hooves. Alaric's hand instinctively moved toward the hilt of his sword, his fingers wrapping around the handle as he prepared himself for any sudden movements from Lyon.

Lyon's gaze remained steady, his demeanor relaxed despite the situation. "You seemed a bit too preoccupied with my ears there, Captain," he remarked, his tone laced with playful sarcasm. "Didn't even notice when I slipped out of those ropes."

Alaric rested his brows, "It seems like this is not your first time."