Noctisardor Bypass Will you chase the burning sun in to the sea.

Good; the boy understood his place, finally. If Glaukos had it his way, and if he didn't give a shit about Druid's opinion, this drain on his resources would be dead already. He knew he couldn't go through with his real threat for as long as Druid forbade it; but he could do this, and he reveled in the power that could be eked from such shows of force.

The boy would be out of Rivenwood from this point on and that would be a blessing, too. Fiona would pick up the slack made by the missing body; caches would be filled, Etienne would do his work without distraction, and Glaukos would continue to be the protector he was meant to be.

Anselm's acceptance earned his freedom. Glaukos released him, pulling at first and then pushing at the last second, so that when the boy was released he might be set off-balance; he was angry, and Glaukos didn't care for it, but it was safer this way. As Glaukos stood at his full height he braced for whatever came next—as the boy was a proven fool, even if he was making a show of obedience for the moment.

Glaukos was ready for anything.