Lost Creek Hollow venustas

it was not for glory that germanicus put himself into service, but the truth ashamed him. he knew his bearing, knew his control, knew how he appeared to others. it was not nobility that drove him, but unsurety, uncertain in his own actions until it became a relief to surrender himself in servitude.

ico would surely think less of him to know such. perhaps the young scribe in his pale robes might find germanicus deceptive. less palatable. he did not wish to lose the way that the other looked at him. and so the eaglebound was silent but for a quirk of his lip, until ico spoke again.

"you delay messages. or lie about what the message was," he muttered, nudging at a patch of thick green leaves. "he who controls the face of the army has hold of its outcome."