new as the rising sun

It relieved him a little to hear of Scimitar's reluctance to trust. It wasn't just his own actions which prompted the cold shoulder (though, it most likely was a large part of it). Tryphon was still worried. One wrong move, and Scimitar could throw him out for good - and then what would the boy do? Return to the north where he had been hiding? The thought of being alone made his mood sour further; he looked suddenly sad, with his head drooping.

Then Kaskara mentioned outrider duties, and the boy's ears gave a little tremble. "I'm not sure," he responded with his usual apprehension, and paused to think. It didn't take long before he continued. "I do want to help everyone, and... I'm sure you're right. But what if.." What if he went off on an outrider mission and didn't come back? What if the pull of the world was too much? Tryphon didn't voice these thoughts.

"What if I fail." He said this softly, quietly, as if by speaking the words he was reciting a terrible curse.