Silas only half listened to the young Graceling's small speech about how she's not a citizen. He was more focused on the reaction she had towards Leto. He could almost feel the tension between the two. It was far more interesting to him than anything this girl could have to say. Silas then stood up from his throne, and glared at Dani. "This is MY kingdom! I will not be ordered about by anyone little girl! Least of all your pathetic excuse of a king!" He snarled as he motioned for his guards to grab her. Leto then got apparently nervous, and leaped up, and stood between his father, and Dani.
"Move. NOW." Silas ordered Leto. Leto stared up at his father, not backing down this time. "No, this isn't right. Let her, and her friends leave. Please father....my lord." Leto pleaded with him. Silas' hand clinched tightly into a fist as he glared at his son. "I said move." He barked at him once more. Leto looked back for a moment at Dani before returning to his father with renewed determination. "No, I can't allow you to do this. This could destroy Nander, and our way of life. Can't you see that?"
Leto then looked around at the guards. "Can't you all see that? This is madness! If we harm her, or her companions it could lead to war with Liend. We are just barely able to keep our head above the bloody water from our war with Wester." He stated, his voice then began to uncharacteristically raise. "We bring in bodies by the cartloads! We have more bodies than we do graves! Your friends, your brothers, and sisters are the ones that lie in those graves to protect this country, would you let their sacrifice be in vain and start another war?"
The guards then began to look at one another unsure of what to do as they hesitated to grab her. "Please, bloodshed is never the answer, and this could drown our country in it. How is that going to help anyone?" Leto pleaded with them one last time. And it appeared to be working. Well, for a brief moment at least. Silas then reached out, and grabbed Leto by his throat to prevent him from saying anything else. Silas then tossed him on the ground causing him to slide across the floor. Silas then glared at the guards. "Grab. Her."
Out of the fear the guards did as they were ordered. Leto hopped up, and his hand instinctively reached for his sword. Silas let out an amused chuckle. He then drew his blade. "You want to challenge my rule? Then challenge it boy! If you want to usurp my throne so bad come and take it!" Silas roared as he held Leto's chin up by the tip of his blade. Leto briefly looked around, and stared up at Dani with a hurt puppy dog look. He then looked away from his father, and backed down. "I...I'm sorry." He said in a defeated tone, aimed more towards Dani than anyone.