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"Then why," Beslan said, "a your rebellion before events in the Ean your rebellion when Suroth led here," Tuon said, "and when your ed since then, Beslan Very reat accomplishment"

"You must know I have no thirst for power," Beslan said "The freedom of my people is all I desire"

"I do know it," Tuon said, clasping her hands before her, lacquered nails curling, elbows on the armrests of her chair "And that is the other reason you are still alive You rebel not out of lust for station, but out of sheer ignorance You are e, should you receive the proper knowledge"

He looked at her, confused Lower your eyes, fool Don’t make me have you strapped for insolence! As if he had heard her thoughts, he averted his eyes, then lowered the this one

How precarious her position was! True, she had armies--but so ression

All kingdoms on this side of the ocean would need to bow before the Crystal Throne, eventually Eachor queen would swear the oaths But Suroth had pushed too hard, particularly in the fiasco with Turan A hundred thousand men, lost in one battle Madness

Tuon needed Altara She needed Ebou Dar Beslan ell loved by the people Putting his head on a pike after the mysterious death of his motherWell, Tuon would have stability in Ebou Dar, but she would rather not have to leave battlefronts unmanned to accomplish it

"Your ood wohtened

"You may speak," Tuon said

"Her deathis unexplained," he said The implication was obvious

"I do not know if Suroth caused her to be killed," Tuon said, softening her voice "She claiated If it turns out that Suroth was behind the death, you and Altara will have an apology froasp frolance, then turned back to Beslan "Your reat one You must know that she was loyal to her oaths"

"Yes," he said, voice bitter "And she gave up the throne"

"No," Tuon said curtly "The throne belongs to you This is the ignorance of which I spoke YouI have neither time nor desire to do your duty for you

"You assume that the Seanchan dominance of your homeland will mean your people lack freedom That is false They will be more free, more protected, and more powerful when they accept our rule

"I sit above you But is this so undesirable? With the ht of the empire, you will be able to hold your borders and patrol your lands outside of Ebou Dar You speak of your people? Well, I have ordered so prepared for you" She nodded to the side, where a y-limbed da’covale stepped forith a leather satchel

"Inside," Tuon said, "you will find nuuard forces You can see directly the reports of cri our occupation here You will have reports andhow the people were before the Return and after it

"I believe you knohat you will find The Empire is a resource to you, Beslan A powerful, powerful ally I will not insult you by offering you thrones you do not want I will entice you by pro stability, food, and protection for your people All for the simple price of your loyalty"

He hesitantly accepted the satchel

"I offer you a choice, Beslan," Tuon said "You may choose execution, if you wish I will not make you da’covale I will let you die with honor, and it will be published that you died because you rejected the oaths and chose not to accept the Seanchan If you wish it, I will allow it Your people will know that you died in defiance

"Or, you may choose to serve them better You may choose to live If you do so, you will be raised to the High Blood You will step forward and reign as your people need you to do I promise you that I will not direct the affairs of your people I will demand resources and men for my armies, as is proper, and your word cannot countermand my own Aside from that, your power in Altara will be absolute No Blood will have the right to command, harm, or imprison your people without your permission

"I will accept and review a list of noble families you feel should be raised to the low Blood, and I will raise no fewer than twenty of them Altara will become the permanent seat of the Empress on this side of the ocean As such, it will be the do her fingers "But understand this If you decide to join with us, you will give me your heart, and not just your words I will not allow you to ignore your oaths I have given you this chance because I believe you can be a strong ally, and I think that you were uided, perhaps by Suroth’s twisted webs

"You have one day to ht this to be the best course, and she was a oman The E, starvation and obscurity These are not tiarded the satchel in his hands He bowed in supplication to withdraw, though the o," she said to him

He rose, but did not turn to leave The room fell still as he stared down at his hands and the satchel She could read his struggle in his expression A da’covale approached to hasten him on his way, as he had been dis the servant