Frostfire Ridge Echo

you've proven yourself, faust said at last, his voice flat but not unkind. you keep to the ridges. you watch. you don’t waste words.
a pause. his gaze drifted back to astier, studying him—not for blood, not for loyalty, but for something quieter. substance.
i need more wolves like that.
there was no flattery in his tone. just fact.
if you want to rise, i’ll clear the way.
a beat. then, with a slight tilt of his head—
but you’ll have to step forward.
he didn’t demand it. didn’t order it. the choice, as ever, was left open. faust was a king who offered doors. what others did with them was not his burden.