He did not offer her a hand up. She was fully capable, and he would not demean her skills by implying otherwise. Then, too, was the awareness that she might well try to continue the fight, and Hadama was disinclined to lower his guard and take that risk. He had not been lying when he said that she was strong, and it was a strength that he respected. But he did not know her well enough to be able to gauge her next move, and so he held himself relaxed and confident but not too close.
She gained her feet quite ably without his intervention, as it turned out. And her own confidence was no less than his own. He met her eyes squarely even as she smiled and reiterated her decision, leaving Hadama no other alternative. He inclined his head in acknowledgment - if not acceptance - a second time, though her offer was met with a pragmatic hum of gratitude. "Mmn. It is appreciated."
He glanced up to check the position of the moon and stars, then back to Maea once more. The Longheat nights were far too short, however pleasant the temperature in Stormbreak this time of year. "Will you walk with me back to the Eye?"
She gained her feet quite ably without his intervention, as it turned out. And her own confidence was no less than his own. He met her eyes squarely even as she smiled and reiterated her decision, leaving Hadama no other alternative. He inclined his head in acknowledgment - if not acceptance - a second time, though her offer was met with a pragmatic hum of gratitude. "Mmn. It is appreciated."
He glanced up to check the position of the moon and stars, then back to Maea once more. The Longheat nights were far too short, however pleasant the temperature in Stormbreak this time of year. "Will you walk with me back to the Eye?"
