by Irene Danger
Slowly-a-the-a-head-a-lifted-a-and-a-the-a-dark-a-eyes-a-rose-a-to-a-meet-a-Siyura's,-a-a-a-smile-a-played-a-across-a-her-a-lips,-a-revealing-a-blackened-a-gums.
"What-a-will-a-it-a-be,-a-witchling.-a-What-a-will-a-you-a-do?-a-A-a-little-a-caged-a-bird,-a-a-a-little-a-caged-a-witch.-a-There-a-is-a-no-a-escaping-a-He-a-Who-a-Hunts."-a-Her-a-mother-a-threw-a-her-a-head-a-back-a-and-a-an-a-outrage-a-sound—so-a-much-a-like-a-an-a-animal—escaped.
A-a-feeling-a-of-a-doom-a-so-a-heavy,-a-so-a-real-a-settle-a-over-a-Siyura,-a-in-a-a-a-way-a-the-a-war-a-had-a-never-a-warranted.-a-An-a-ending-a-to-a-what-a-should-a-have-a-never-a-been-a-started;-a-an-a-ending-a-to-a-her-a-cause;-a-her-a-freedom.
A-a-scream-a-clawed-a-its-a-way-a-up-a-her-a-throat,-a-her-a-mouth-a-forming-a-into-a-an-a-'O',-a-but-a-quickly-a-the-a-spell-a-lifted.
A-a-glow-a-formed-a-around-a-her-a-mother's-a-body-a-and-a-she-a-twisted-a-and-a-fought-a-against-a-the-a-rope-a-around-a-her-a-neck.-a-It-a-became-a-brighter-a-and-a-brighter-a-until-a-it-a-caused-a-Siyura-a-to-a-close-a-her-a-eyes.-a-She-a-didn't-a-want-a-to-a-see-a-what-a-was-a-about-a-to-a-happen.-a-She-a-didn't-a-want-a-to-a-see-a-the-a-furious-a-lines-a-of-a-her-a-mother-a-or-a-the-a-madness-a-that-a-hadn't-a-even-a-been-a-dulled-a-in-a-her-a-death.
Siyura-a-knew-a-her-a-mother-a-was-a-gone-a-when-a-the-a-air-a-changed-a-abruptly,-a-like-a-a-a-candle-a-snuffed.-a-When-a-she-a-opened-a-her-a-eyes,-a-she-a-let-a-out-a-a-a-surprised-a-gasp.-a-The-a-glow-a-that-a-she-a-had-a-been-a-sure-a-was-a-her-a-mother's-a-doing,-a-had-a-been-a-men-a-coming-a-toward-a-her.-a-Turning-a-in-a-a-a-circle-a-she-a-looked-a-at-a-the-a-wary-a-male-a-faces-a-surrounding-a-her.
She-a-stopped-a-when-a-she-a-saw-a-Braydor-a-smiling-a-in-a-victory,-a-an-a-assurance-a-that-a-he-a-had-a-never-a-had-a-before.-a-That's-a-when-a-she-a-saw-a-a-a-man-a-standing-a-at-a-the-a-forefront,-a-his-a-body-a-language-a-indicating-a-authority.-a-When-a-he-a-stepped-a-forward-a-she-a-knew-a-her-a-guess-a-had-a-been-a-correct.-a-He-a-was-a-a-a-tall-a-male,-a-with-a-a-a-built-a-frame.-a-His-a-face,-a-she-a-noticed,-a-was-a-one-a-of-a-the-a-most-a-beautiful-a-she-a-had-a-ever-a-seen.-a-His-a-looks-a-were-a-almost-a-too-a-well-crafted-a-for-a-the-a-military-a-clothing-a-he-a-was-a-wearing.-a-His-a-black-a-armor-a-was-a-pressed-a-and-a-strictly-a-put-a-together.
He-a-was-a-not-a-dressed-a-to-a-do-a-battle-a-with-a-her,-a-making-a-her-a-suspicious.-a-It-a-was-a-as-a-if-a-he-a-knew-a-something-a-she-a-didn't.
"Lady-a-Siyura,"-a-he-a-said-a-his-a-accent-a-more-a-articulate-a-than-a-Braydor's,-a-"My-a-name-a-is-a-Cadeon-a-of-a-the-a-House-a-of-a-Silver.-a-I-a-have-a-come-a-to-a-seal-a-the-a-negotiations-a-between-a-Haldane-a-and-a-Terithia."
That-a-brought-a-her-a-anger-a-back-a-to-a-the-a-forefront,-a-"There-a-are-a-no-a-negotiations-a-ongoing-a-between-a-Terithia-a-and-a-Haldane.-a-Any-a-indication-a-otherwise-a-is-a-false."
Cadeon-a-gave-a-her-a-a-a-small-a-smile,-a-his-a-green-a-eyes-a-sympathetic,-a-"My-a-Lady,-a-as-a-I-a-am-a-sure-a-that-a-you-a-are-a-aware-a-of-a-the-a-merging-a-of-a-our-a-great-a-nations."
"Yes,-a-Cadeon,-a-it-a-is-a-hard-a-to-a-ignore-a-the-a-blood-a-of-a-my-a-people-a-running-a-through-a-the-a-cracks-a-of-a-the-a-cobblestoned-a-streets."
The-a-general-a-didn't-a-flinch-a-but-a-instead-a-kept-a-smiling-a-at-a-her-a-as-a-if-a-she-a-were-a-an-a-indulgent-a-child-a-who-a-just-a-didn't-a-get-a-it.
"I'm-a-sure-a-you-a-understand-a-the-a-Advisors-a-of-a-your-a-ruling-a-class-a-have-a-long-a-ago-a-started-a-to-a-arrange-a-the-a-assimilation-a-between-a-Haldane-a-and-a-Terithia.-a-Arvaka-a-it-a-seems-a-has-a-been-a-the-a-victim-a-of-a-a-a-miscommunication."
"I-a-can-a-assure,-a-we-a-are-a-not-a-confused.-a-As-a-for-a-the-a-Advisors,-a-they-a-have-a-all-a-been-a-executed-a-for-a-treason.-a-Their-a-word-a-means-a-little-a-in-a-terms-a-of-a-binding-a-Arvaka-a-to-a-any-a-promises-a-of-a-ceding-a-to-a-Haldane.-a-My-a-people-a-elected-a-me-a-as-a-regent—and-a-my-a-capital-a-is-a-not-a-yours."
Cadeon-a-took-a-in-a-heavy-a-breath,-a-"You-a-have-a-a-a-very-a-good-a-point,-a-Lady-a-Siyura.-a-However,-a-I'm-a-afraid-a-you're-a-also-a-a-a-victim-a-of-a-misunderstanding."
"I-a-understand-a-everything-a-perfectly-a-clear,-a-believe-a-me-a-you."
Cadeon-a-stepped-a-forward-a-and-a-on-a-instinct-a-her-a-blades-a-flexed-a-out-a-at-a-her-a-sides.-a-He-a-made-a-no-a-outward-a-threat,-a-though.
"Ah,-a-I-a-see,-a-Braydor,-a-among-a-other-a-things,-a-has-a-not-a-mentioned-a-a-a-great-a-deal-a-of-a-things-a-to-a-you."-a-Cadeon-a-turned-a-and-a-looked-a-at-a-him-a-condescendingly.
"Yes,-a-it-a-is-a-quite-a-obvious-a-that-a-he's-a-much-a-out-a-of-a-his-a-depth."-a-Siyura-a-quipped-a-making-a-Braydor-a-glare-a-at-a-her.
Cadeon-a-turned-a-back-a-toward-a-her,-a-"It-a-is-a-obvious,-a-isn't-a-it?-a-I-a-apologize-a-for-a-having-a-to-a-deal-a-with-a-grave-a-mediocrity."
Braydor-a-mouthed-a-at-a-Siyura,-a-"I-a-hate-a-you."
"Fortunately,-a-however,-a-one-a-of-a-your-a-Advisor's-a-survived.-a-Grimier,-a-I-a-believe?"
Shock-a-must-a-have-a-shown-a-on-a-her-a-face-a-because-a-Cadeon-a-nodded-a-and-a-continued,-a-"He-a-was-a-certainly-a-put-a-out-a-at-a-having-a-a-a-sword-a-thrust-a-through-a-his-a-rib-a-cage.-a-Thankfully,-a-mercifully,-a-he-a-lived-a-to-a-tell-a-the-a-tale.-a-I-a-warn-a-you-a-though,-a-he-a-is-a-not-a-an-a-ardent-a-supporter-a-of-a-yours.-a-It-a-does-a-make-a-things-a-easy-a-for-a-Haldane.-a-As-a-per-a-the-a-wish-a-of-a-your-a-deceased-a-reigning-a-King-a-as-a-long-a-as-a-one-a-of-a-Terithia's-a-Advisor's-a-breathes—-a-"
"They-a-remain-a-the-a-sole-a-sovereign-a-until-a-the-a-true-a-heir-a-becomes-a-of-a-age."-a-She-a-finished-a-at-a-the-a-same-a-time-a-he-a-did.-a-He-a-smiled-a-wider-a-this-a-time-a-as-a-if-a-he-a-were-a-happy,-a-"And-a-thankfully-a-we-a-got-a-to-a-him-a-in-a-time.-a-He's-a-most-a-enthusiastic-a-about-a-our-a-union-a-and-a-as-a-of-a-three-a-weeks-a-ago-a-he-a-signed-a-the-a-contracts-a-that-a-bound-a-Terithia-a-and-a-its-a-capital-a-of-a-Arvaka,-a-over-a-to-a-Haldane."
"You-a-lie."-a-Siyura-a-said-a-disbelief.-a-There-a-was-a-no-a-way-a-Grimier-a-had-a-survived.-a-She-a-had-a-seen-a-his-a-corpse-a-herself,-a-watched-a-as-a-his-a-breathing-a-slowed-a-into-a-death's-a-embrace.
"I-a-assure-a-you-a-he-a-is-a-very-a-much-a-alive-a-and-a-not-a-too-a-happy-a-about-a-the-a-attack-a-on-a-his-a-person.-a-He-a-feels,-a-and-a-I-a-have-a-to-a-agree,-a-that-a-you-a-are-a-posing-a-an-a-immediate-a-threat-a-to-a-the-a-welfare-a-of-a-Terithia."
She-a-looked-a-at-a-him-a-as-a-if-a-he'd-a-lost-a-his-a-mind,-a-"I-a-pose-a-a-a-threat-a-to-a-Terithia?-a-I'm-a-trying-a-to-a-preserve-a-Terithia-a-from-a-corrupt-a-filth-a-Haldane-a-is-a-trying-a-to-a-inflict-a-upon-a-us!"
Cadeon-a-stepped-a-forward-a-slightly,-a-holding-a-up-a-his-a-hands-a-as-a-if-a-she-a-were-a-the-a-invader,-a-"It-a-would-a-be,-a-Lady-a-Siyura,-a-in-a-your-a-best-a-interest-a-if-a-you-a-and-a-the-a-Valiant-a-Allegiance-a-surrendered.-a-I-a-have-a-come-a-on-a-the-a-direction-a-of-a-his-a-Highness-a-to-a-settle-a-the-a-matter-a-of-a-your-a-terrorism.-a-And-a-that's-a-what-a-you-a-and-a-your-a-camp-a-are.-a-Terrorist-a-to-a-Haldane's-a-daughter-a-state."
Siyura-a-was-a-shaking-a-with-a-emotion,-a-now.-a-These-a-bastards...she-a-swore,-a-swore-a-on-a-her-a-mad-a-mother-a-that-a-Grimier's-a-days-a-were-a-numbered.-a-No-a-matter-a-how-a-long-a-it-a-took.
She-a-raised-a-her-a-head-a-staring-a-the-a-men-a-around-a-her,-a-murder-a-tinging-a-her-a-eyesight.-a-They-a-didn't-a-care-a-about-a-this-a-land-a-or-a-the-a-people-a-within-a-it.-a-Their-a-stories,-a-memories,-a-pure-a-existence-a-would-a-be-a-enveloped-a-in-a-a-a-culture-a-that-a-they-a-had-a-never-a-wanted-a-anything-a-to-a-do-a-with.
Siyura-a-would-a-never-a-stand-a-for-a-it.
She-a-smiled-a-at-a-Cadeon,-a-"I-a-see-a-we-a-are-a-at-a-an-a-impasse-a-because-a-I-a-assure-a-you-a-that-a-I-a-will-a-not-a-be-a-surrendering-a-nor-a-will-a-the-a-men-a-and-a-women-a-who-a-have-a-fought-a-so-a-hard-a-to-a-keep-a-us-a-from-a-being-a-entangled-a-with-a-Haldane."
She-a-saw-a-a-a-glimmer-a-of-a-something-a-inside-a-of-a-Cadeon's-a-eyes-a-but-a-it-a-was-a-gone-a-so-a-quickly-a-she-a-was-a-not-a-able-a-to-a-decipher-a-it.
"Well,-a-now,-a-I-a-don't-a-see-a-your-a-other-a-alternative.-a-Something-a-else-a-you-
a-should-a-be-a-made-a-aware-a-of,-a-however.-a-If-a-you-a-do-a-not-a-come-a-with-a-me-a-at-a-this-a-moment,-a-King-a-Haeler-a-will-a-be-a-forced-a-to-a-resort-a-to-a-more-a-unsavory-a-methods."
At-a-that,-a-Siyura-a-extended-a-her-a-weapons-a-in-a-earnest,-a-"It-a-would-a-be-a-in-a-your-a-best-a-interest-a-to-a-not-a-threaten-a-me.-a-"
The-a-men-a-standing-a-around-a-them-a-shifted-a-in-a-uncertainty-a-but-a-Cadeon-a-didn't-a-show-a-distress-a-merely-a-looked-a-at-a-her,-a-"Please,-a-surrender.-a-End-a-the-a-bloodshed,-a-Siyura.-a-Give-a-your-a-people-a-respite-a-from-a-all-a-the-a-violence.-a-I-a-have-a-been-a-reassured-a-that-a-once-a-the-a-Valiant-a-resigns-a-to-a-our-a-sovereignty,-a-that-a-food-a-supplies-a-will-a-be-a-restored.-a-Civilians-a-will-a-be-a-released.-a-Supplies-a-will-a-be-a-given-a-to-a-help-a-rehabilitate-a-this-a-city.-a-If-a-not-a-Lady,-a-I-a-will-a-have-a-no-a-choice-a-but-a-to-a-return-a-to-a-my-a-king-a-and-a-tell-a-him-a-of-a-my-a-unsuccessful-a-attempt-a-and-a-he'll-a-have-a-to-a-send-a-someone-a-else.-a-You-a-will-a-not-a-like-a-who-a-will-a-take-a-my-a-place--a-"
Siyura-a-raised-a-her-a-chin,-a-"Enough,"-a-cutting-a-of-a-his-a-monologue,-a-"I-a-grow-a-tired-a-of-a-this-a-pointless-a-conversation.-a-Either-a-attempt-a-to-a-restrain-a-me-a-or-a-let-a-me-a-pass."
She-a-saw-a-him-a-take-a-an-a-exasperated-a-breath-a-and-a-she-a-felt-a-slightly-a-indignant-a-that-a-he-a-was-a-treating-a-her-a-as-a-if-a-she-a-was-a-some-a-raving-a-madwoman.-a-She-a-and-a-the-a-others-a-had-a-fought-a-endlessly-a-to-a-keep-a-Arvaka-a-free.
"As-a-you-a-wish,"-a-he-a-said-a-solemnly,-a-"take-a-her."-a-He-a-didn't-a-wait-a-to-a-oversee-a-what-a-was-a-about-a-to-a-happen,-a-just-a-turned-a-on-a-his-a-heel-a-and-a-walked-a-away,-a-Braydor-a-trailing-a-behind-a-him-a-like-a-an-a-idiotic-a-dog.
That-a-would-a-be-a-his-a-undoing-a-Siyura-a-thought,-a-as-a-she-a-braced-a-her-a-feet-a-in-a-the-a-fighting-a-stance-a-that-a-she-a-had-a-taken-a-multiple-a-times-a-throughout-a-this-a-war.-a-She-a-let-a-the-a-violence-a-that-a-constantly-a-simmered-a-in-a-her-a-gut-a-come-a-over-a-her-a-as-a-the-a-men-a-advanced-a-forward.-a-She-a-was-a-just-a-as-a-hungry-a-as-a-her-a-blades-a-for-a-the-a-blood-a-of-a-those-a-who-a-had-a-wronged-a-her.
And-a-with-a-Arelia-a-well-hidden-a-and-a-some-a-of-a-her-a-people-a-evacuated-a-she-a-had-a-the-a-time.
These-a-simpletons-a-around-a-her-a-would-a-do-a-perfectly.
Madness-a-in-a-Blood-a-Ch.-a-02
The-a-Chaotic-a-King-a-lifted-a-the-a-silver-a-chalice-a-to-a-his-a-lips,-a-the-a-low-a-rumble-a-of-a-voices-a-around-a-him-a-making-a-his-a-ears-a-twitch.-a-The-a-pleasantries-a-making-a-him-a-shrivel-a-on-a-the-a-inside-a-of-a-boredom.-a-Not-a-that-a-the-a-atmosphere-a-of-a-metaphorical-a-bloodshed-a-in-a-the-a-air-a-warranted-a-his-a-deposition.
The-a-broad-a-king-a-shifted-a-in-a-his-a-simple-a-blackwood-a-throne-a-that-a-his-a-father-a-had-a-sat-a-on-a-before-a-him.-a-He-a-had-a-never-a-wanted-a-the-a-pretty-a-words-a-or-a-mental-a-warfare-a-of-a-Court.-a-He-a-had-a-always-a-craved-a-breaking-a-bones-a-on-a-the-a-battlefield.-a-His-a-brother-a-Aevar-a-had-a-the-a-silver-a-tongue.-a-He-a-would-a-have-a-been-a-able-a-to-a-talk-a-these-a-peacocks-a-into-a-the-a-sensibility-a-of-a-the-a-dirty-a-work-a-of-a-expanding-a-an-a-empire.-a-It-a-was-a-truly-a-a-a-disappointing-a-day-a-when-a-he-a-had-a-Aevar-a-impaled-a-on-a-a-a-burning-a-pike.
He-a-turned-a-toward-a-his-a-sibling's-a-skull-a-sitting-a-on-a-the-a-large-a-mantle,-a-lifting-a-his-a-cup-a-in-a-respect-a-before-a-swallowing-a-a-a-larger-a-gulp-a-of-a-wine.
"If-a-I-a-may-a-be-a-so-a-bold?"-a-a-a-lithe-a-man-a-with-a-golden-a-hair-a-asked.
Daendrin-a-of-a-Ceriuem-a-spoke-a-above-a-the-a-constant-a-buzz,-a-his-a-voice-a-reverberating-a-off-a-the-a-stone-a-walls.-a-He-a-was-a-the-a-King's-a-Overlord,-a-a-a-status-a-not-a-easily-a-obtained.
"With-a-all-a-due-a-respect,-a-in-a-concern-a-with-a-the-a-attacks-a-on-a-the-a-neighboring-a-domains-a-are-a-we-a-not-a-stretching-a-ourselves-a-thin?-a-If-a-we-a-plan-a-on-a-taking-a-on-a-Askea,-a-shouldn't-a-we-a-be-a-reinforcing-a-Haldane?"
"Are-a-you-a-implying-a-that-a-Haldane-a-is-a-too-a-weak-a-to-a-take-a-on-a-Askea?"-a-A-a-burly-a-lord-a-who-a-had-a-never-a-seen-a-war-a-up-a-close-a-and-a-personal-a-asked.
Daendrin-a-looked-a-at-a-him-a-in-a-contempt,-a-a-a-long-a-scar,-a-laced-a-over-a-like-a-spider-a-work-a-gleamed-a-pale-a-in-a-the-a-fire-a-light.
"What-a-I'm-a-suggesting-a-is-a-nothing-a-of-a-the-a-sort.-a-I'm-a-merely-a-question-a-our-a-priorities.-a-That-a-isn't-a-treason,-a-Andlewulf.-a-I'm-a-curious-a-about-a-the-a-worth-a-of-a-attacking-a-Terithia?-a-I'm-a-under-a-the-a-impression-a-that-a-there-a-has-a-been-a-strong-a-resistance-a-in-a-Arvaka.-a-The-a-merging-a-that-a-was-a-supposed-a-to-a-be-a-a-a-simple-a-overthrow-a-of-a-power-a-has-a-turned-a-into-a-a-a-long,-a-overdrawn-a-affair.-a-Are-a-we-a-not-a-concerned-a-about-a-how-a-this-a-represents-a-Haldane-a-as-a-an-a-empirical-a-force?-a-Arvaka-a-is-a-a-a-simple-a-trading-a-post.-a-There's-a-no-a-reason-a-why-a-it-a-shouldn't-a-have-a-been-a-resolved-a-by-a-now."
Daendrin-a-turned-a-backed-a-toward-a-the-a-Chaotic-a-King,-a-his-a-passions-a-making-a-him-a-forget-a-his-a-place,-a-"Forgive-a-me,-a-your-a-Honor.-a-But-a-Haldane-a-is-a-my-a-priority-a-and-a-I-a-only-a-wish-a-for-a-it-a-to-a-prosper-a-under-a-this-a-expansion."
The-a-King-a-simply-a-nodded-a-his-a-head-a-at-a-the-a-male-a-he-a-had-a-known-a-since-a-boyhood.-a-Daendrin-a-had-a-a-a-sharp-a-mind-a-and-a-was-a-a-a-superior-a-strategist-a-that-a-had-a-brought-a-Haldane-a-many-a-victories,-a-including-a-their-a-last-a-merger.
Terithia-a-had-a-been-a-an-a-unexpected-a-venture.-a-But-a-his-a-Highness-a-did-a-not-a-entertain-a-ideas-a-of-a-being-a-omnipotent.-a-He-a-knew-a-that-a-the-a-key-a-to-a-his-a-success-a-was-a-to-a-have-a-those-a-who-a-knew-a-the-a-mental-a-and-a-physical-a-maneuvers-a-of-a-war.
Someone-a-one-a-like-a-the-a-Warlord.
The-a-King-a-barely-a-had-a-to-a-turn-a-to-a-see-a-the-a-Warlord-a-of-a-Haldane-a-sitting-a-quietly...lethally-a-in-a-the-a-shadows.-a-He-a-never-a-made-a-his-a-presence-a-too-a-prominent-a-to-a-the-a-other-a-guest.-a-It-a-wasn't-a-out-a-of-a-courtesy.
If-a-King-a-Haeper-a-had-a-to-a-cede-a-that-a-there-a-was-a-one-a-who-a-could-a-dominate-a-the-a-politics-a-of-a-war-a-and-a-butchery,-a-the-a-Warlord-a-would-a-be-a-that-a-man.
It-a-had-a-been-a-of-a-his-a-suggestion-a-to-a-absorb-a-Terithia-a-and-a-Arvaka.-a-It-a-had-a-been-a-an-a-off-hand-a-order-a-that-a-the-a-Warlord-a-had-a-wanted-a-taken-a-care-a-of-a-and-a-it-a-surprised-a-his-a-Majesty-a-that-a-Daendrin-a-didn't-a-see-a-it.-a-The-a-King-a-found-a-that-a-interesting.-a-Daendrin-a-almost-a-rivaled-a-the-a-Warlord-a-in-a-prowess-a-and-a-power.
The-a-King-a-again-a-turned-a-to-a-look-a-at-a-the-a-Warlord-a-who-a-was-a-watching-a-Daendrin-a-with-a-cold-a-gray-a-eyes.
What-a-these-a-dense-a-minded-a-birds-a-didn't-a-realize-a-is-a-that-a-Terithia-a-was-a-practical-a-stablished-a-sea-a-port.-a-That-a-didn't-a-surprise-a-him,-a-however.-a-Terithia-a-had-a-managed-a-to-a-stay-a-neutral-a-in-a-any-a-bigger-a-battles-a-that-a-involved-a-hostile-a-parties-a-including-a-the-a-growing-a-violence-a-between-a-Haldane-a-and-a-Askea.
"Your-a-concern,-a-Daendrin,"-a-a-a-rough-a-voice-a-that-a-could-a-chill-a-bone-a-slipped-a-from-a-the-a-shadows-a-as-a-the-a-Warlord-a-stared-a-at-a-him-a-unblinking,-a-"is-a-unnecessary."
The-a-golden-haired-a-Overlord-a-pivoted-a-toward-a-his-a-adversary,-a-hatred-a-barely-a-contained-a-in-a-the-a-lines-a-of-a-his-a-face.-a-He-a-had-a-been-a-waiting-a-for-a-this-a-and-a-the-a-king-a-sighed-a-at-a-the-a-ceiling-a-above-a-him.-a-He-a-didn't-a-have-a-the-a-energy-a-to-a-reign-a-in-a-the-a-Warlord.
Even-a-the-a-King-a-was-a-not-a-privy-a-toward-a-the-a-antagonism-a-between-a-his-a-two-a-critical-a-key-a-players,-a-but-a-the-a-drama-a-interested-a-him-a-immensely.
"You-a-give-a-orders,-a-Warlord,-a-without-a-consulting-a-the-a-rest-a-of-a-the-a-Table-a-as-a-if-a-our-a-input-a-matters-a-not."
"It-a-doesn't."-a-was-a-the-a-simple-a-reply-a-and-a-the-a-room-a-shifted-a-nervously.-a-None-a-of-a-them-a-had-a-Daendrin's-a-nerve.-a-None-a-wanted-a-that-a-ire-a-directed-a-at-a-them.
It-a-was-a-enough-a-for-a-Daendrin's-a-hand-a-to-a-flex-a-at-a-his-a-side-a-where-a-his-a-sword-a-lay-a-sheath
ed.