I welcome a challenge, but now is not the time, child. If we survive the night, I’ll be happy to kill you in the morning. Right now, the pilgrims depend on us, both of us. So, I implore you, by your mother, your tribe, by this very sky, hold your bloodlust. Death comes to all in her own good time.
Can I hold back the storm or make the sun rise? Our job, our life, is given to this fight, to the defense of the defenseless, not to vainglory, not mere vying for preeminence. This, right now, is not the distraction from your career—your career is the distraction from the now.
I am your commander until this is all over, and I do not grant you permission to kill me. If you must compete, if you need some place for your ego, make it serve us. See if you can kill more of the monsters than I can. I doubt it.
Tale Told 