The Law of Iron Silence
His eyes moved slow past Ben, lingering on the vast room while a quiet ring of metal slipped into his voice.
"I will, my lord… if you permit it."
Stillness held Ben's face. Sharp, yet weighed down by thinking, his gaze cut through the room. Quiet pressed in - all too silent - till flames snapped at stone. A breath came then, slow, after silence stretched tight. Just a touch tighter went his eyes.
"Permission," he said slowly, "depends on what you intend."
A quiet nod came from Varen. Not rushed, not hesitant - just sure. "Listen closely," he said, words firm like something long settled. His tone didn't waver, shaped by resolve, not force
Forward he moved, one slow pace. A whisper of leather on stone rose up - suddenly, all faces turned. Stillness settled like dust after a slammed door. Spines stiffened among the seated officials, though no order was given.
