Austaire's gaze lingered on Auren for a moment.
Her expression unreadable yet thoughtful.
The tone of his voice, the unwavering look in his eyes, the quiet certainty in his stance- she knew he wasn't speaking lightly.
'There was conviction there, the kind that only came from pain and purpose. Ovan, what do you think of his words?'
She asked in the stillness of her mind, her voice reaching the hidden phoenix spirit that resided in her mental space.
'I can sense no deceit, Princess,' the phoenix respectfully replied, his deep, rumbling voice edged with careful observation. 'His intent feels… genuine.'
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
'Do you think I can trust him? Pull him to our side? He bears the Phoenix bloodline, and with a higher purity than mine. That kind of strength could tip the balance in our favor on conquering Austerra.'
Ovan's reply carried both approval and caution.
