"I wouldn't listen," Lothar points out. His trousers are slung low on his hips and he's halfway through unlacing them, fingers tripping over the knots for a moment; Llane's caught him by surprise with his admiration and he's caught unawares.

"I never listen unless I think it's my idea, anyway, and the only reason we manage to get along as well as we do is that we usually have the same damn stubborn ideas."

It's not exactly true. Llane is his king and he would heed an order from him, up to and including his life, but it's something that Lothar keeps close to the chest. He doesn't want it exploited by an enemy.