Ankyra Sound oh wow, you look like the fourth of july

Artaax kept his gaze lowered as his family reacted to his words. He didn't really want to see their faces. It was hard enough to remain cold and unfeeling without seeing the flashes of hurt or anger or disappointment in their eyes. He didn't move when the commander dismissed Blixen and Furi, though he felt his anxiety begin to rise. He'd found comfort in Mallaidh's presence - and even Blixen's to some extent. But now it was just him and Thuringwethil, and he was at a loss to guess whether he was going to look up to see heda or nomi standing before him, and fearful of what either would say.