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"Why not?" Octavian asked "No one but uard and Demos's cre the truth about you They can keep a secret So, Marcus runs the force until it can unite with the Legions, passes along Crassus's orders, and is watched by the Maestro - who is, I believe, still uncertain as to why you aren't hanging on a cross being eaten by vord"
"I'm a bit unclear on that point e hardened briefly "I will do as I see fit with your life It is mine to spend Rehtly "As you wish, ht," Octavian said, so the tone
Fidelias studied the young man for a moment and realized that the Princeps was torn over some decision Normally he was so confident, so driven; Fidelias had never seen hi behind his words, hesitance: Octavian himself wasn't sure what his next steps would be
"Are you planning on leaving the force, sir?" Fidelias asked carefully
"At some point, it's inevitable," Octavian replied caled to ions in Calderon - and hope to the great furies whoever is in charge over there has had sense enough to listen to runted "But that isn't what you think will happen"
Octavian griardless of what happens to me We have to take down the vord Queen - and her cadre of captured or treacherous Citizens I will, by necessity, be in the center of that conflict And the odds seeainst me"
Fidelias debated on how to respond to theHe finally just began chuckling
Octavian frowned at hi odds," he said "Bloody crows, sir Long odds That's bloody funny"
"I don't see what's so a about it"
"Naturally, you don't," Fidelias said, still chuckling "The furyless boy from the country who stopped an invasion"
"I didn't really stop it," Tavi said "Doroga stopped it I just"
"Coerous High Lord and Lady in the Realm," Fidelias said "I was there Reave a sment of the touch
"The boy who personally saved the First Lord's life in his second terht the Canihtly guarded prison of the Realet the upstart Princeps who pitted hiainst a continent full of vord and hostile Cani's out alive," Octavian corrected sharply "I haven't won anything Not yet"
Fidelias grunted "Sir honestly Suppose you defeat the vord here Suppose you unite our people again, take Alera back Will that be a victory?"