[ It actually does pretty effectively shut him up, because she makes some good points and it really is a teachable moment. He loosens up, seeming much less overbearing, but his lips draw into an uncomfortable, dissatisfied frown.

The worst part is that he did try to do that: he just didn't account for how familiar the knights of this castle were with Shadowkind. He didn't think they'd be able to recognize the elven traits in him and call him out on it. Hell, he liked to pretend it didn't exist, it made him forget to acknowledge that others might notice. He'd hoped to bury it. ]

I'm not interested in manipulating any of the knights here, if that's what you're asking. I just like my personal business personal. You know where I come from -- the RAF -- know what I can do, where I got my training. Know that I want the same things you do, and I've got some of the same enemies you do.