[it gives him pause for a moment, before he laughs - one sharp, cold thing, without humor at all. a gesture of concession, not real amusement.]

Fine. Speak as you would, Caster, I will not force any but a villain to kneel. Only keep in mind two things when you see fit to open your lips - that I abhor dishonesty greatly, which you have confessed you do not care to stoop to, and that only God commands me.

[the blood that leaves him does not diminish how he holds his head high, nor the intensity in his gaze, and he practically dares this man - Caster - to make some smart remark about it.]