He heard Fraser beg for mercy, imagined himself disdaining, haughty. He thought these things, and the spiked object turned over in his guts, piercing him with self-disgust. Whatever he might once have been to Grey, Fraser now was a beaten foe; a prisoner of war, and the charge of the Crown. He was Grey's charge, in fact; a responsibility, and his welfare the duty of honor.
In this excerpt, the character reflects on his feelings towards Fraser, who is now a defeated enemy rather than the equal he once saw him as. The speaker grapples with emotions of disdain and superiority, yet feels a deep self-loathing as these thoughts fester within him. This inner conflict highlights the complexity of honor and responsibility, particularly in the context of war.
Fraser has become a prisoner of war under Grey's jurisdiction, transforming their relationship into one of captor and captive. Despite any previous camaraderie, Grey acknowledges that Fraser is now his charge, bringing forth a sense of duty that weighs heavily on him. This shift emphasizes how war can alter personal connections and the moral dilemmas that arise from such changes.
