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"You wonder if it would have made a difference," Alera said

"Yes"

She considered the question gravely Then she sat down on the floor beside the stool, folding her legs beneath her "There's no way to be certain of things that never took place"

"I know"

"You agree Yet you still feel that way about it"

Tavi nodded They were both silent for a time

"Good men," she said quietly, "ood ood man, almost by definition, would seriously question any decisions he made that led to such terrible consequences for others Especially if those others trusted hiree that you are fallible?"

"I feel it is ree that the world is a dangerous and unfair place?"

"Of course"

"Then there you have it," Alera said "Someone must command But no one who does so is perfect He will, therefore, erous and unfair, it is inevitable that some of those mistakes will eventually have consequences like those today"

"I can hardly dispute your reasoning," Tavi said quietly "But I do not see your point"

"It is quite obvious, young Gaius," Alera said, sic is indisputable: You are a good man"

Tavi lifted his eyebrows "What has that to do with anything?"

"In reat deal Perhaps Kitai will explain it to you later"

Tavi shook his head "You saw the battle?"

"Of course"

"Is the Queen as strong as you believed her to be?"

"Not at all," Alera said

"Oh?"

"She is stronger," the great fury said calmly "And she handles herself al her lessons"

Tavi nodded ruefully "I noticed" He shook his head "I I can't believe anything could be so powerful So fast"