The Captain stared into the parent worm's gleaming eye while Kenny's name hung between them.
His former successor had abandoned an entire squad and deceived the Crown. He returned to the capital carrying a story that made him a tragic lone survivor.
Betrayal replaced the confusion across the Captain's face as Kenny's deception became undeniable.
The worm studied his face with open and savoring delight.
"Oh, that look. I remember him wearing the same one when he understood he could not win," the worm said.
The Captain's hand tightened around his claymore while memories of Kenny's official report turned poisonous.
"He dropped his sword and dropped to begging in the same motion," the parent continued. "He cried about his family, his name, and everything he would give if I spared him."
A vein rose against the Captain's temple as each detail destroyed another piece of the lie.
