Sarah Draketower

The General studied him in silence for a moment. It wasn't just the offer, it was the understanding behind it. Arthur knew what the military's value truly was.

It wasn't the titles given to those at the top, nor was it the fortresses. It was the doctrine of discipline, experience and motivation. 

Raemund's gaze lingered on Arthur for a long, contemplative moment, silent but calculating. His sharp eyes, weathered by years of command and tempered by battlefield instinct, searched Arthur's face not for pleasantries, but for weakness.

He found none.

"You want to sharpen your people using our grindstone," he said at last, the words measured and heavy with implication. Yet buried beneath the gruff exterior of Raemund, there was a flicker of approval, respect earned, not given.