She's got the devil's eyes
Despite the baldness of her questions, she does not once truly doubt the woman before her believes herself quite worthy. She may not be a mind reader, but she has learned enough of equine character to recognize such things. And it’s a rare thing to find such self-doubt in a queen anyway. After all, one does not rise to leadership by believing oneself unworthy of it.
Lips twitching in response to Kensa’s free dissent, Heartfire eyes her somewhat more speculatively. The rather untoward suggestion had not appeared to offend her in any way, and has gained Heartfire exactly the answer she wished. And a little more insight into the gilt-edged woman.
Whether it is a useful insight or not remains to be seen.
“Quiet means nothing,” she replies thoughtfully as Kensa admits to the state of her own home. Nerine is no more noisy than Hyaline. Heartfire would never believe quiet equated weak in any way. So many saw strength as only the might of one’s muscle and bravado of one’s army. In truth, there is far more to it than that.
After all, many believe Tephra and Loess the mightiest given their recent clash. But Heartfire could so clearly see the ways in which they’d hobbled themselves. Their battle had exposed weaknesses she doubts either kingdom would be pleased to have bandied about. A hazard of ignoring the more subtle strengths that do not shine and gleam so well in the lustful gaze of others.
And a boon to her.
After a somewhat lengthy silence in which she openly considers her companion, Heartfire finally replies to her final, pointed question. “I am,” she admits then, easily enough. “I know a great many things.” She pauses, a heavy, brief silence. “Things such as how easily you bend the ear of the many men in your acquaintance. Have you ever considered the kind of power there is in that particular skillset?”
and they'll cut you like a weapon