continued from [ x ]
  The silence from the iron maiden spoke plain. It was expected of his station to maintain a facade that was unshaken, forged in steel. It was uncommon that Clive that would such thoughts seep into him, when there was much more pressing matters at hand. Such a gloomy visage would be ill fitting for a man who molded himself in maintaining a dependable and confidant demeanor for his men. Try as he might, there would always come a time that it would come looming when he least expected. Such moments were what the paladin was facing.
   Clive simply couldn’t take the chance to lament so openly, as there he held an image he needed to maintain and the ongoing conflicts meant his brother and sister arms needed careful guidance and support behind the scenes. However, he never had the expertise of keeping subtle behind close doors as Lukas did. Clive was a simple man, above all else a man who was honest with what he felt. Mathilda was one person that he didn’t wish to create boundaries with.
   When she broke the silence with an affirmation of sentiments. He meets it with his fingers intertwining with hers. His hand on reaction to squeeze hers with no intention of parting for some time. A mile long gaze took hold as he looked across the horizon a while.  A hum escapes him as he nods at her following words. He would let this opportunity fester in his emotion. In the times of conflict and uncertainty what would remain are those who held their head high and charged with courage that shined to block out the darkness. To turn the feeling of sadness and forge them into steel.
