[Ray's POV]
I watched Gale as he mechanically ate another slice of meat, his movements sharp, his jaw working with more force than necessary. I could still smell the sharp, bitter scent of his frustration clinging to him like woodsmoke, mingling with the savory aromas of our meal. I understood the point he was trying to make. In his long, exiled life, he had likely seen kingdoms rot from the inside. Trust was a luxury he couldn't afford. But I was a general of Silverhowl. My duty was to the structure that maintained order, and accusing our allies without ironclad proof wasn't just reckless; it was an act of war in itself. We both had our points, entrenched in our vastly different experiences. A debate here, now, would only fracture our already strained unity.
