An heirloom of some sort? It was hard to imagine a male like that holding on to something for sentimental value. There had to be more to it than that.

Niro caught his stare, tracing his face with that eerie gaze.

Bristling at the attention, Theory readied himself for some sort of verbal altercation, even though he couldn’t find a reason that would provoke one. 

Instead, Niro says, “You don’t seem to like traveling for long periods of time.”

Theory frowned, unsure of how to respond. Though it didn’t appear to be malicious, Theory couldn’t help but run the comment over in his head, searching for any underlying insult in them.

“You always chose the tasks closer to villages,” he continued.

Theory tensed, not realizing his habits had been studied, let alone by someone like Niro. It wasn’t an aversion to traveling that made him choose those tasks, it was the necessity to be near Blazes of brothels for his heats. He could only hope the Breeder hadn’t made the connection.

“Didn’t think my tasks were being monitored,” Theory finally muttered in response, defensive.

“I keep track of all potential threats.”

“Threat? I’ve spoken all of two words to you over the years, how could I possibly be a threat?”

“You tell me…” Niro’s gaze was searching, the intensity heated Theory from within and not in a good way.

“Insulting people must be a talent of yours,” he muttered. Though he decides to humor him, participating in the conversation in hopes of getting some information out of him. “Why did you take the task? Didn’t seem like you were interested in the coin.”

Niro was silent for a while, long enough that Theory didn’t think he’d answer, but eventually he does.

“Because the Captain’s desperation interested me. You?”

“The coin.”

Niro snorted. 

Theory wasn’t offended by the derision. That amount of money brought him that much closer to his goals which ultimately was the only thing that mattered. 

“That coin is enough to risk your life for? You don’t seem the type.”

Theory prickled at the comment, sensing the passive aggressive undertones. Why was the Breeder so determined to pick at him? He certainly wasn’t going to spill all his secrets and dreams, so instead he deflected. Though deflection may have been influenced by pettiness.

“And what type do I seem like?”

Since the Breeder seemed to be an expert on him…

Niro’s eyes slid to him with an unfriendly glint. “The type that would sooner embed a knife in one’s back than risk himself to defend them.”

Hot rage flooded every fiber in his body. The mare beneath him whinnied in discomfort, stuttering in her easy canter. 

“You know nothing about me,” the Carrier bit out.

Niro only grinned, the sadistic smirk twisted his handsome features in a way that was all too familiar to Theory. One that he had seen on every warrior’s face back in the barracks, right after the incident. The rumors had made him into a pariah.

“Oh I know enough. I know the lengths you would go to keep yourself alive. Whom you would sacrifice. If there were a fire, you’d not spare a glance back, content to let someone you once called ‘comrade’ burn.”

Ice flooded Theory’s veins, emotion only heightened but the opposing effect of his earlier rage put his body into near shock.

Fixing Niro with all the hatred and fury that burned inside him, he spat out, “You know nothing.” 

With a kick to the mare’s side, he took off and left the Breeder behind.