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“I do not share all the convictions of the Red senator There cannot be peace while there is no justice But in one matter, I fear he strikes the otten your oathsfire to overcome the betrayal “I propose a vote to reh co a trial for acts of treason against the Republic” Applause follows this He looks back at me dramatically “And I propose a temporary cessation of hostilities with the Golds of the Core so that we may decide ourselves betar and peace”

The sanctimonious bastard

There is little Mustang can do At her instructions, Republic Wardens couidee in mine

Outside the building, the world is quiet and untouched by my hulow of blue lamps as we collect our weapons Lesser bureaucrats thread their way across the plaza, tending to the affairs of a government responsible for ten billion lives Dusk is over now and the sky is black Autumn leaves roll across the white marble expanse

“Darrow, you are not to leave the city,” Wulfgar says to ain “Darrow…”

“Am I under arrest?” I ask

“Not yet…”

“You need to step back,” Sevro says, his fingers tightening around the razor at his side Wulfgar looks down at Sevro, who comes barely to his sternum, and steps back in respect I descend the stairs away fro pads in the North Citadel Sevro catches up to me I stop and look back at the Forum as a loud cheer leaks out the open door

“Some little shit told them,” Sevro says “I should carve Caraval’s balls off Treason? They can’t actually arrest you, can they?”

“They rave, but they’ll lock h for the Ash Lord to make his move”

Sevro sneers “The Seventh Legion will have so to say about that Should I call Orion? The Telemanuses? Kavax should be on his way back from Mars…”

I look back to the Forue done But with Copper lost, she won’t have the votes to protectmore I can do here This isn’t my world I knew it before, and Dancer just reht In my heart, I know my enemy I know his mettle I know his cruelty And I know this ill not end with politicians s at each other from across a table

It will only end as it began: with blood

“No, Sevro Summon the Howlers”

I FLEE THE GUNFIRE THAT killed my brother