"I've got to ask," Norimar began, his deep voice laced with curiosity, "how in the world did you make her agree to this? Mara doesn't exactly strike me as the type to take orders."
The Lodar's glowing eyes flicked toward Norimar, his expression unchanging. "She owed me a favour," he said simply, his voice smooth and resonant, like the hum of a deep bell.
"And Mara is not one to leave debts unpaid."
Norimar raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Still, she's one of the strongest I've seen. I'd have thought she'd balk at something like this."
The Lodar allowed a faint smirk to tug at the corner of his mouth. "Strength comes in many forms, Norimar. Mara knows that better than most. She's strong, yes, perhaps even our equal in certain ways. But strength doesn't always mean defiance. Sometimes, it means knowing when to act and when to walk away."
Norimar nodded slowly, the weight of the Lodar's words sinking in. "Fair point," he said, glancing toward the unconscious princess.
