It was pathetic how much it meant to him to be called by his name, and not in mockery. August relaxed just a fraction; he let out a breath, and the ferocity dimmed from his eyes, though his expression remained stoic as ever.

"It's precisely because you're not from this world that everyone will listen to what you have to say. All you have to do is say it." It was his turn to look deep into her eyes, searching for that fire she'd shown him more than once since he brought her through the mirror door. "Think about it: they don't know what to expect from you." He nodded toward the uncomfortable gathering by the fire. "You dress strange, you talk strange, you have a man's name." He smirked a little. "You might as well have come from another planet. Dorothea tries to control you. The dwarves try to placate you. The queen would have you destroyed. They're all afraid. You have no ties to anyone or anything in this world: you see all this with new eyes, no prejudice, no preconceptions, and that makes you dangerous. No one could accuse you of lying or taking sides, because the only reason you would stand up and speak is if you knew in your heart that it was moral and right to do so. Your judgment means more than warring armies. You could strip them all bare with a word and show them their lies." His expression darkened again. "The only advice I would give you is to stay true to yourself, and don't [i]listen[/i] to anyone." He smirked coolly. "Especially me."