"There are lessons in simulation, and lessons you bleed for. Today, both were on display." He eyed the cohort, and Soren had the uncanny sense that the Swordmaster saw not just individuals, but the pattern underneath, all the error, repetition, and occasional, accidental grace.
He called out Aria for making a "tactical withdrawal" after injury. He cited Kale for "tactical improvisation," which everyone took as code for breaking things not meant to be broken. He named the twins "force multipliers," a turn of phrase that left them beaming at each other and then pretending they hadn't.
When he turned to Soren, he didn't state a critique, only let the silence pile up. Every eye in the room drifted to Soren, then away, then back, until it became obvious what was demanded.
"He advanced without signal, sir," Soren said, keeping his hands behind his back.
Dane's mouth twitched. "And your response?"
