As they neared the meeting place, Bastian made sure to place himself ahead of Arcata. She probably wouldn't like it, but he wasn't about to let her put herself in front of a blade when the situation was this unstable. She could talk just fine from behind him, and he could do his job better, as well.
Bastian smiled--an expression filled with an easy menace--when Haxmar made obvious note of his arms. Whatever threats he managed to imply, however, he held his tongue. The Lady Dulat might yet pull a diplomatic miracle, and he didn't want to be the one who sabotaged it.
Still, he was more than ready to take that blue stone off Hexmar's neck along with the smug head that hovered above it.
Bastian smiled--an expression filled with an easy menace--when Haxmar made obvious note of his arms. Whatever threats he managed to imply, however, he held his tongue. The Lady Dulat might yet pull a diplomatic miracle, and he didn't want to be the one who sabotaged it.
Still, he was more than ready to take that blue stone off Hexmar's neck along with the smug head that hovered above it.