Where his entourage had taken their seats immediately upon entering, Haidar had taken long steps towards the Queen's table, waiting to be addressed by his host before taking his seat. Theirin notions of respect had been drilled into him again and again by Olivia, and though he was not fond of them, he would not forget his lessons. The nearly seven-foot Nydewian stared hard into King Archibald's hazel eyes, his own green pools threatening the Aserit without a word spoken. Haidar of the Rampage had earned his title. He didn't fear the Bloody Ravens. He didn't fear this man. He did not fear the shadow of death itself.<br/><br/>Especially when angered.<br/><br/>His fists clenched at his sides just as surely as his teeth in his mouth, and the veins on his enormous, tanned arms bulged as his muscles tightened. The only thing keeping him from spitting in Archibald's face, from drawing his weapon and throwing himself at his arrogant, hated enemy was his duty to his people. It would not end well if bloodshed occurred. So he slowly let his anger dissipate, before speaking in his deep voice. "Most noble King Archibald," he replied, the words dripping with sarcasm and venom, "if you would like to die for your insults to my people, I will see to it at another time. But for now, Queen Lyssa is our host, and I will not spill blood under her roof unless I have to." Dismissing Archibald, he turned to the queen, his stature shrinking as he took a knee and took her left hand in his right, gently kissing her fingers. "My Queen," he stated, his tone softening, "it is an honor to be your guest. I would be happy to join your people at table."<br/><br/>With that, the horse-king rose, his white breeches no worse for having touched the floor, and turned back to join his group at the table they had chosen. He suppressed the urge to spit. Haidar felt disgusted with himself, with the display of falseness he had just put on. In his own land, he would have killed the Aserit king for such gall, but here, he could do no such thing. They had not been in Theiri for half an hour, and already he grew tired of diplomacy.