[Zarkon doesn't feel that clapping is necessary, though he agrees that he has soundly defeated the blaze. Still, he's not going to tell Alfor's advisor not to clap. Although he's perfectly willing to boss him around in some ways, that isn't one of them—as his manner and customs are Altean. Zarkon has very strict rules about what is and is not appropriate, and he holds himself to those rules, too.]

As an Emperor and paladin, it's only to be expected that I should triumph.

[He has proved the victor in much more treacherous situations.]

Yet this convinces me that you need more practice—in a controlled environment.

[Not in the middle of the woods. Definitely not.]