When Volde arrived at Lucas's tent with Tom, he stopped just inside the entrance and froze. His eyes went straight to Lucas's face before he could stop himself, and the reaction was immediate.
"By the heavens…" Volde said under his breath, then quickly lowered his head. "Forgive me, my lord. I did not mean to stare."
Lucas waved it off lightly and leaned back against the cushions. He had removed the silver mask the moment he returned to the tent, and the dull ache across his scarred face reminded him why people reacted the way they did. "You are not the first," he said calmly. "And you will not be the last. Sit."
Volde obeyed, though his expression remained tight. "The reports reached us," he said after a moment. "About the dragon. About the abyss. I did not expect… this."
