Darin squirmed as the woman in front of her remained silent. Irrationally fearing mocking or dismissal. When she finally did speak a breath of relief flowed out of the human, fears laid to rest as the Sota-Sol claimed being asked for advice was an honor. Darin wasn’t sure that was true, but she was attempting to trust the woman’s word. She hung to every word as if it was vastly important, as if it was a matter of life and death. IN a way it was. Harai’s life depended on her decision and she had no desire to make it rashly. To be honest, she didn’t want to make it at all, but Darin recognized it as a childish wish and discarded that thought almost immediately.

Amaiera-Sol’s offer to hold Harai in comfort if need be for as long as required did not sit right with Darin. Ridahne didn’t know, the Sols certainly didn’t know, but that was a life sentence. War was coming to Astra. Whether via the Red Hand or an as of yet unknown enemy, war was inevitable. Azurei would have to do what was best for its people and that would involve eliminating or containing all potential enemies including any and all members of the Red Hand. If that was the solution than killing him now would save time and resources. But she didn’t want to do that, not if she could help it.

When her sister mentioned an oath, Darin’s nervous fidgeting ceased as she was frozen in shock at that possibility. She hadn’t considered it before. Yet, there wasn’t a single oath that Darin trusted him to keep. He was Red Hand. She had no idea if he had any concept of honor or even courage. She had no idea if he believed the mantras that he gave Ridahne when she questioned him or if it was lip service. He could make a promise today and break it as soon as he left Azurei, and head straight for the Red Hand to make plots to kill her. The only promise that she would trust in this situation was.

NO! She wouldn’t! She couldn’t! Could she? It was a simple enough solution. It was very neat. Darin found her gaze trail to her Taja’s face almost against her will. It was on the other side. She couldn’t see it from where she was sitting. Her fingers came up and then dropped back to her lap. They had discussed this before. Ridahne was the first. She should know that she wouldn’t be the last. Darin hadn’t done it on purpose before though, was reluctant to do that to another the same way she had done it the last time over a year ago. Once again, her hand came up and using her index and middle finger Darin turned Ridahne’s face to look at the mark that both doomed and freed her sister; one to service, the other of doubt.

Her voice was barely a whisper, meant only for Ridahne’s ears, but most certainly heard by everyone in the room as her fingers left the Azurei’s chin to trace the tattoo, “I could Chain him, but what then?”