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Jeremiah did not answer, and Granduilt

“Thank God the captain’sour secrets is one of the highest acts of betrayal you could co?”

Bloody saliva oozed fro the interrogation It took hiet any words out, and when they came, they were a hisper “I do not believe I do not believe in the destiny of Second Empire”

Grandh his words made her want to cry She’d known Jereht him with the other children in the ways of the empire, and she loved him as she loved all the others

Before she could speak, he continued, “I like…like my life in Sacoridia Do not need empire”

Grandmother wanted to cover her ears at his words, but she could not deny the truth of his betrayal It had happened to others, other descendents of Arcosia who adapted to life as Sacoridians so well they gave up on the empire, turned their backs on it Whole sects had faded away; others had watered down bloodlines sooutside the society they were shunned Those of the blood who turned away but did not seem likely to expose Second Empire were left alone in the hope they would return to the fold Others, like Jeremiah, who had actively tried to betray them, were dealt with

“You would turn away froe and all it means?” She shook her head in disbelief and he did not deny her accusation “You would have destroyed us—your fahbors, your kin”

“Just want to farwith Sacoridia Don’t need empire”

Grandmother closed her eyes and took a deep breath “You knohat this means, Jeremiah?”

“I do”

Yes, he would know Every one of them knew the consequences of betrayal Second E because of the doctrine of secrecy it adhered to Punishressors was harsh to protect that secret

“Jeremiah,” she said, “I have no choice but to pronounce you a traitor”

He did not protest, he did not say a word

“Was anyone else involved in this heresy?” she asked the captain

“The king’s men he talked to were ambushed and killed,” the captain replied “There was no one else We were thorough in our questioning”

She nodded The evidence of their thoroughness sat before her “You have brought this upon yourself,” she told Jeremiah