He cuts his eyes away for a moment, too ashamed that Damen knows very well what had been done, how sullied Erasmus truly was. He cannot imagine Damen would have been used in such a way, although he would not have been in a position to refuse.

He would have fought though, Erasmus knows, and something about that defiance is admirable although it ought to be nothing but.

A loud rumble cuts through the momentary silence as they round a corner, Erasmus stopping suddenly as something large and metallic blows past them at speeds not topped even by the fastest horses he's seen. It heads into the building in front of them. "I understand," he murmurs, only half listening as he takes in the scene with wide eyes. He is so thankful Damen is not leaving him alone that it takes all of his training not to sink to his knees in gratitude. He was not made for this world.