The next day, Darius approached Roshan in the central clearing where the chief was overseeing morning training.
Several other elders were present, which was exactly what Darius wanted. Witnesses. An audience. People to see him being humble and cooperative and CHANGED.
This was theater.
And Darius had always been good at playing roles when it mattered.
"Chief, may I speak with you?"
Roshan turned mid-demonstration of a defensive stance, surprise flickering across his face before being replaced by cautious neutrality. His hand gesture halted the training session.
"Darius. Of course."
The other elders had definitely noticed. Conversations quieted like dominoes falling. Attention shifted. Training warriors tried not to stare while absolutely staring.
Perfect.
Darius took a breath, arranging his expression into something appropriately humble. Remorseful but hopeful. Ashamed but trying to be better.
He'd practiced this in front of a polished bronze mirror for an hour last night.
