Sahshir looked at the third draft of the letter he'd finished writing. It had been irritating, waiting for his hand to stop shaking from the disease. But it was better he did it himself than have Narcissa do it for him or even a scribe. Sahshir wanted control of his documents Relying on anyone else could lose him that. Reading it up and down, he paused. The pain from his effort was bad, but as long as he focused on the letters, he could be distracted.

To His Majesty, Emperor Octavus III of Dinis,

I am King Sahshir II of the realm of Khasina, also known as East Kalthak. I have observed the valor of your legions in the siege of Zigilus. I am impressed by your empire and in awe of your legions. I desire to join you in your fight against the fleets of Sorn.

Grant me this honor and a share of the spoils, and my fleets shall leave with the tide. From,

-King Sahshir II.

Sahshir offered it to Nayasha, who eyed it up and down. Sahshir was curious if he was wasting his time. Octavus had ordered Zigilus utterly annihilated before, for which Narcissa held a grudge. But Octavus' legions were loyal to him and powerful. And there was good justification for destroying it. The place had been a sensual hellscape. Moreover, Zigildrazia herself had wanted it destroyed.

"Very brief and to the point. Though that's probably for the best. I shouldn't expect a courteous answer if I were you," said Nayasha with a frown. "But why do you want to ally with the people you were fighting?"

"Because they are fighting Sorn," said Sahshir, grasping his sword. "And Sorn is stronger."

Nayasha nodded and turned to walk away. Then she glanced back. "Sahshir?"

"Yes?" asked Sahshir.

"Go outside for a bit," said Nayasha. "You've been dealing with matters of state nonstop for the past few weeks. So a walk may do you good.

"You can't win glorious victories if you're dead on your feet."

"Your advice is noted," said Sahshir. "So watch me."

He waited as she departed the throne room. For a moment, he sat in the darkness of his hall, the blade over his knees. Then, finally, he set it to his belt and decided to leave. Making his way out of the hall, he walked the palace halls. The sun was bright, but he felt lightheaded as it beat down on his mask.

Pressing on, he made his way out of the palace and turned toward the shrine of Baltoth. It had been rebuilt since the attack by Garacel and made more elaborate. The walls were of white stone, and a curved roof of red tiles was on it. On either side of the entrance were statues of two golden dragons.

Sahshir glanced at the city and decided he didn't want to walk all that way. His legs were burning already, and while he could move through it, he'd had enough in the practice field. So he walked to the door and knocked.

The door opened, and Kushina looked out. She was healing well from her injuries against Garacel and held a staff in one hand. Her dark hair was tied behind her. "Sahshir, I haven't seen you in some time. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about us."

"Never," said Sahshir as he entered. "How fair the shrine?" He noted several bedrolls on the floor.

"We've had many people housing here," said Kushina. "However, Schzara has been taking care of the shrine in my stead mostly. I've been... evangelizing?" She quickly moved to the far side of the shrine and kneeled down, pouring a cup of tea for him. She offered it to Sahshir. He kneeled across from her and, glancing around for anyone else, removed his mask.

Sipping the tea, the endless pain became less so. "Attempting to convert the Zigilus refugees?" Sahshir asked.

"Convert?" asked Kushina. "No, I don't hope for that. Convince them to act with a semblance of decency? Perhaps."

"There is hostility to them, then," guessed Sahshir.

"More than that," said Kushina. "Theirs is a depraved society. Our opposite in every way. They wear clothes that bare their bodies, even when it would make more sense to wear concealing robes. They have begun performing ritual orgies, and some among them are trying to corrupt our youth."

"Baltoth has taken many consorts over the years, Kushina," noted Sahshir.

"Yes, but he's doing so forms practical purposes," said Kushina. "By having numerous descendants, he can observe events through their eyes. Moreover, it provides Calisha with an easy means to control the Empire. And there is an order in the relationship; Baltoth is in authority, and the others are his subjects.

"What Zigilus performs is pure chaos."

"I imagine Zigildrazia would be the one in authority," said Sahshir. "They all claim loyalty to her."

"Are you arguing in favor of Zigildrazia?" asked Kushina.

Sahshir considered the question. He sipped his tea again, and the pain dulled further. "No. I'm arguing against you.

"How have your efforts to convert them gone?"

"Not particularly well, to be honest," said Kushina. "How is the tea?"

"Excellent, as always," said Sahshir. Her tea had a way of dulling the pain and making him feel a bit more alive. It meant he had to put less effort into moving for a while. At times, he almost felt like he was healthy again.

"Good," said Kushina. "It's difficult to sell a life of obedience and order over a life of willful depravity."

"I would focus on safety," said Sahshir.

"What do you mean 'safety?'" asked Kushina.

"Zigilus was destroyed in the war," said Sahshir. "Convince them that their failure was because of a lack of adherence to order. Tell them that embracing the power of Baltoth may lead them to become stronger still.

"Convince them that the path of Order will lead them to greater power than ever before."

"I wasn't aware you had any talent for manipulation," noted Kushina.

"All things desire power," said Sahshir. "So Baltoth teaches us."

"And what should we do about the men they are luring into their profane rituals?" asked Kushina.

"Tell them if they associate with them, they'll be crucified for heresy," said Sahshir.

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"That is... somewhat direct, don't you think?" mused Kushina.

"Baltoth himself has proclaimed crucifixion the ideal form of execution," noted Sahshir. "It causes maximum suffering so that the effects will stay with the person in their next life. And it also makes a public example to all who would see."

"Well, yes, I know," said Kushina. "I would just prefer to use other means than simple violence. Your Uncle has always been in favor of such tactics,"

"Violence is the solution to most problems, as long as you perform it properly," said Sahshir.

"Now you're trying to irritate me. Be serious, Sahshir," said Kushina with a laugh.

Sahshir smiled, the motion not hurting him. "I am unsure.

"Perhaps you could appeal to the families of those involved to intervene."

And then there was a knock.

Sahshir set a hand to his sword and glanced back as Kushina went forward to check the door. Opening it ajar, she spoke with someone. Then she glanced back apologetically. "King Sahshir, Lord Asim is here to speak with you."

"Very well, then," said Sahshir. "Let him in."

Asim entered the room, wearing full samurai armor. Sahshir wondered why he insisted on that armor. "Abdul, I've heard something. Is it true you are allowing the servants of Zigildrazia to perform their profane rights?"

"I have not given them permission of any kind, Uncle," said Sahshir flatly. "They did so without my word. We were discussing what to do about them."

Asim halted and sighed in relief. "Well, that is something.

"I think a night attack is best. Perhaps after a festival. Catch them when they are off-guard and-"

"We are not slaughtering them," said Sahshir flatly. He wished people would stop resorting to genocide as a matter of course. Just because the Urishia deserved it, it didn't make it an all-purpose solution. Octavus' actions had been reckless in his eyes; it would have been better to seize the city and purify it.

Then again, Sahshir hadn't had to live with them.

"First, you hand the city over to the merchants," scowled Asim. "And now you intend to let these heathens operate with impunity?"

"Why do you care?" asked Sahshir flatly. "You've never held any love for Baltoth or his teachings."

"I care because you are allowing these blood-drinking savages to corrupt this land!" snapped Asim.

"They don't drink blood," said Sahshir.

"They might as well," said Asim incredulously. "Their goddess willingly destroyed their civilization, and they don't care. "

"Such devotion would be called admirable if in service to Baltoth," noted Kushina.

"But it is not in service to Baltoth, is it?" asked Asim, looking at her with dislike. Asim had never served Baltoth save in name. His faith had always been in Rammas, the dethroned son of Baltoth who had raised rebellion long ago.

After a bloody civil war, Rammas had long ago been sealed deep within Ruscow, never to be released. Then Asim looked back to Sahshir. "When I allowed you to ascend, I was hoping for better than this."

"I have a solution in mind already," said Sahshir.

Asim looked at him for a moment. "...Well, what is it?"

"Have you heard the news of Sorn encroaching on Dinis?" asked Sahshir.

"I have heard," admitted Asim. "I do not see how it concerns us, however. Let them fight. Both are contemptible to my eyes. The Sornians care for nothing but money, and Dinis is our enemy, or was until recently."

"I mean to arrange an alliance with Dinis and come in on their side of the war," said Sahshir. "In exchange for payment, of course. Sorn has been buying property on the shore, and I mean to take it away from them. But, since we will have to go to war to do that, it is better to side with our weaker opponent."

Asim remained silent a moment. "...Reasonable, but I don't see how this solves our problem. We can't leave the Zigildrazians at our back."

"We will arrange for the militias of the Zigilus refugees to join us in the war," said Sahshir. "We are already gathering survivors who we missed the war. Zigilian priests march to war alongside their armies. If we bring all their remaining priests, we can engage Dinis in battle."

"And?" asked Asim.

"In such a confrontation, their religious elite may be wiped out," said Sahshir. But, of course, he had no intention of seeing such a thing happen deliberately. Though since it could happen, what he was saying was not a lie. "This will leave their depraved religion with no means to spread. And we may step in to fill the void.

"We will fight against nearly impossible odds, and Zigildrazians are decadent. Therefore, they shall be hardened into warriors or killed."

"Canon fodder?" guessed Asim with a smile.

"If necessary," said Sahshir. "Though I hope that they realize the folly of their ways and become more like us. Many of them are formidable warriors and need only shake off the last influence on them.

"Those who do not will die in battle."

Asim put two fingers on the edge of his mask. "And it would let us put that fleet to good use. But who will command it?"

"I had in mind Raj Danal," said Sahshir. He'd almost randomly picked the name when given a list by Nayasha. He'd won several skirmishes abroad and was low on the list. And he frequently took on Kalthakian soldiers.

"Raj?" scoffed Asim. "He's nothing more than a common pirate with no honor or regard for true war. He's not even a Kalthakian, one of those filthy Drens. Though I have heard he is at least half Babarassian."

Babarassians were considered the lowest form of scum by virtually all Calishans. They had abandoned Calisha when Baltoth civilized it and cast down Valranor. Now they lived as pirates in the Islands of Power and on Babarassia.

Even the Harlenorians didn't like them.

"Yes," noted Sahshir. "He is also the most accomplished pirate in the world today." Raj usually plundered armed ships and never went after those who were defenseless. This meant his victories were much more impressive. No doubt others could claim the title, but he picked Raj.

"Actually, that is arguable," said Kushina. "The Harlenorian, Argath Marn, has done similar feats and is among the most hated of our enemies. Since the two have never fought, we can't-" Sahshir and Asim looked at her. "Nevermind."

"The point is that he is highly experienced and presently in our employ," said Sahshir. "We cannot trust a captain of Zigilus, and we Kalthakians have no great skill at sea."

"Well, I will not risk my armies on such a war," said Asim. "My men have no tradition of sea combat. And Dinis is on the border and could launch a surprise attack. To say nothing of West Kalthak."

"Well, then is fortunate that I cannot afford to take you with me," said Sahshir. "Remain here and ensure that Khasina is well protected.

"While I am gone, I ask that you refrain from punishing the merchants. They are a caste without honor. However, they are far more dangerous than you realize."

"How so?" asked Asim.

"Money can buy mercenaries," said Sahshir flatly.

"No nation can survive on mercenaries," noted Asim.

"But they can fall if they hire enough of them," replied Sahshir. "The merchants can do so, and they will if pressed."

"Then why not purge the lot of them?" asked Asim.

That was his solution to everything. "We need merchants. If we were to purge them, we would be unable to make war. And future merchants would be unwilling to do business in Khasina.

"They are a necessary evil. Therefore, we must tolerate them while limiting their influence.

"Which reminds me, Sushaki is about to begin buying up many properties. Ones that used to belong to the Sornians. Ensure the Sornians are given a good price to avoid making a martyr of them. We cannot fully overcome Sorn, and our victory relies on terms.

"And make sure the territory ends up back in the hands of the villagers. I don't want to throw off one group of merchants to replace them with another. So Kushina will send agents to ensure the villagers know what is happening and why."

"To what end?" asked Kushina.

"I don't want to throw out the Sornians to replace them with merchants from Kalthak or Dinis," said Sahshir. "Our people must remain the masters of their own land.

"And they must learn how to counter it."

Asim remained silently for a long moment. "...Very well then, Sahshir. We'll play things your way for now, but I won't be content with this policy forever. Sooner or later, there will be a reckoning with these people."

"Do you know who Lilas is?" asked Sahshir.

"Sounds Harlenorian," said Asim. "Some warrior?"

"Sushaki has a high opinion of him," said Sahshir. "I think you'd best find out which merchants serve Kalthak best, Asim. You need to know their names to counter them."

And he turned to walk out.

Sahshir doubted either would make it to the decade's end, so that was all the moot point.