He knew what he heard Cass mutter into his glass, and gave Cass an extreme glare. "Is that what this is about?" he said finally. "You think that I did this all of my own free will?"
Shaking his head he just looked at Cass. "Tell me, when was I given a choice? Was it when my father and my brother dragged me unwillingly to kneel before the Dark Lord, and pledge my allegiance under threat of death?" He could still remember the day when his life was turned upside down. He'd never had a choice, as it was just expected he would serve and follow willingly.
He leaned further forward, making sure Cass completely understood. "Why do you think I joined the league? It was to get out of as much work as possible, and I've done as little as I can since then. It's by sheer damn bad luck they've got me in their sights now." He was furious now - furious that Cass thought he'd done this of his own volition. His head shook from side to side. "I just want to make it to the other side of this damn war in one piece, that's all. For the sake of my own arse and that of my family."
For the first time he had a real reason now to work for getting this war finished, and it was for Daphne, and the boys, and the unborn daughter she carried. "I don't want my children growing up around war. I want this over with as much as you do."