As they entered the capital of Solinia, Omrai spared a final glance at the fields of grain, ceratops tilling the earth or pulling harvesters. Each field was separated by a thirty-foot tall wall, topped with spikes. They were good for dissuading not only carnivores, but invaders too.

The central road leading to the gate was the only easy way into the city, and as wide as it was, any attacking force would still be funneled. He’d broken sieges here before. One by Sendeval, and one by Koyeji.

The gates themselves were at least forty feet tall, allowing all but the tallest brachios easy entrance. Once inside, Omrai looked at the stegos which walked along several layered platforms on either side of the gate, their massive chains slowly pulling the gates open.

“Greetings High General Omrai Speartip Abaddon!”

Omrai restrained a groan and breathed out his nose in frustration.

Jamiel, Yishai’s personal messenger, rode a silk-adorned gallimai and wore a regal uniform, not a crease in sight. His lips bore the constant half-smile of someone who considered themselves important, eyes glinting with pride.

“High Judge Yishai Abaddon commands you and your companions to dine with him,” Jamiel said ceremoniously. “He has been expecting you.”

Omrai sighed. “Tell him we’re on our way. We need to change first.”

“He indicated that for no reason should you delay,” Jamiel said, chin upraised.

Omrai could see right through the act. Jamiel was nervous.

“Fine,” Omrai snapped, “We’re coming.”

Jamiel jumped, nodded, and rode off.

Omrai rubbed his forehead. He turned to Revin, and his eyes widened. “You don’t know the rules of Ateyan dining.”

Revin cocked his head, “Well, you eat food , right?”

“Tradition is very important to my brother. Therefore, you’ve got to learn the proper protocol. I will go over the rules on the way.”

“Don’t worry,” Shifra said, riding her gallimai next to Omrai’s, “There are only a hundred.”

Omrai ignored her. He looked at Kaiato. “I don’t know about you.”

“I know your traditions,” Kaiato said.

Omrai frowned. “Yishai won’t appreciate a Koyejian at his dinner table.” He sighed. “But we have no time.”

“I can eat with the soldiers,” Kaiato said.

Omrai shook his head. “You’re still a Koyejian. I don’t want to find your corpse in an alley.”

Kaiato frowned. “So, what do you want to do?”

Omrai let out a sigh. “I need to deal with High Judge Yishai as soon as possible, and I don’t have time to protect you. You will come to the dinner, and you will not speak.”

Kaiato nodded with a deep bow of his head. “Yes, sir.”

Revin listened as Omrai spouted a long list of rules to follow and topics to avoid. Revin grew distracted with the crowds and beggars, but Omrai forcefully called his attention back.

The rules told where to place certain silverware, in what order to eat what, and that he was to wait until Shifra, Omrai, and Yishai had begun eating. At the end of the dinner, he was to stand up with Omrai, bow, and say “Like a feast for a crushjaw.” Apparently, that was the common name for the tyrannos.

The topics he was to avoid were religion, Narazoth, Jebuthar, Revin’s home island, politics, the war, the pronunciation of Shevidaro, Revin’s father, Ismander, the metal monsters, and his abilities as a beastspeaker. Revin furrowed his brow. Did Omrai not want him to speak at all?

Revin’s heart lurched at the mention of the metal monsters. He was immediately dowsed in the blood-red memories of the battle. The sensation of dying. The sight of looking down and seeing you’ve been split in two.

With a shake of his head, he did his best to return his attention to Omrai yet again. Distractions were fine, but not that one. Not that one. He pushed those memories to a darkened cellar in his mind and slammed the door. Praying the beast wouldn’t find a way out.

Revin couldn’t remember everything, and he didn’t want to. Omrai seemed unnecessarily paranoid. Omrai told Revin he must listen and follow any instructions he sent via mindspeak as the meal went on.

“And most of all, ignore the scars,” Omrai had said, “A long time ago, a battle did not go well for him.”

✦✦✦

The dining hall was empty. If Omrai is in such a hurry, Revin thought, he shouldn’t be waiting for some dinner . Shifra sat to the right of the seat at the head of the table and Omrai to its left. Revin sat next to Omrai, and Kaiato next to Shifra.

Shifra glanced at Kaiato with what looked like quiet curiosity. Revin had gotten used to that. Kaiato was a foreigner, and Revin was a “magic monk,” as the soldiers referred to him. Revin was getting used to the odd looks he himself received. He relaxed in his chair, taking a calming breath.

Kaiato, however, looked very nervous.

The door swung open and a tall man limped in. Yishai looked like he had survived a mauling by a bear. His extremely short hair only grew on half of his head, his face and scalp bore long, jagged scars, and his forearms, which were bare due to his short sleeves, had great gouges running down them, and several fingers were missing.

“Brother!” Yishai said loudly, Omrai, Shifra, and Kaiato stood. “May your burdens be light.”

“May my service lift you,” Shifra, Omrai, and Kaiato said in unison. Revin mumbled it a few words behind them as he stood.

Yishai looked at Revin. “So, this is the beastspeaker?” He smiled a crooked, but genuine, smile, “It’s a pleasure to meet you. We are glad to receive your help in this war. Omrai is capable…” Yishai turned a critical gaze to Omrai, “but my reports indicate we are outmatched?”

If Omrai noticed the criticism, he didn’t show it.

Omrai nodded, “Yes,” Omrai said, “Completely. Only further knowledge can help us win.”

Yishai nodded. “We will talk about this soon, first, it’s time to eat.”

He looked at Shifra, who bowed and sat. Yishai and Omrai sat next, Kaiato sat after that, and finally Revin hesitantly took a seat, hoping he did it right.

Fruits and vegetables were brought out first, which were strange. They were nothing like what grew on the Hiriv Island. Long purple fruit, some orange root with berries growing from it, and other things which Revin couldn’t tell if they were fruits or vegetables.

Shifra began to eat, then Yishai and Omrai dug in. Revin hesitated, was this when he should start? He looked across the table at Kaiato, who motioned for Revin to eat.

For a few minutes, they ate in silence, chewing and swallowing slowly. Revin almost ate with his hands until he remembered Omrai telling him to use a particular fork. He wanted to roll his eyes. What did it matter which utensil he used? He chose to yield and picked up the stupid fork.

After everyone had eaten—Revin learned that the purple plant had turned out to be a bitter vegetable—Yishai finally spoke.

“What news do you have of the war?”

“I intend to learn more before we fight another disastrous battle,” Omrai said, stabbing a bit of food with his knife. “It was terrible Yishai, I have never been so soundly defeated. I have given them very specific instructions to retreat and evacuate if his forces appear. Open war must be avoided. Sabotage and subterfuge must be our primary course.”

“Sounds cowardly,” Yishai said, narrowing his good eye.

Omrai frowned. “No. You weren’t there, Yishai. You didn’t see the carnage.” Omrai massaged the bridge of his nose, apparently trying to stem his emotions. “Imagine this: you suddenly weigh ten times your current weight, mechanical men march over you, unaffected, their blades striking as you fail to rise. The rumors are true. His flying ships are larger than fortresses, his army is innumerable, and his sorcery is incomprehensible. It was my shortest battle by far…”

Yishai nodded grimly. “So… the chances of retaking the Farinian cities…”

“...are currently zero,” Omrai nodded.

“Understood. Find your intel, we need an advantage,” Yishai said. He looked at Kaiato and spoke sharply. “Now, tell me. Why is there a Koyejian at my table? Please, give me a satisfying answer.”

Revin felt Omrai’s discomfort echo through their connection. Why would Omrai let himself be pushed around?

“He’s here to help!” Revin said, he looked at Kaiato. He was also silent. Revin ignored their timidity and continued. “He was banished by his people, and he’s been offering his knowledge of Koyejian weapons.”

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Yishai raised an eyebrow, “Omrai, is this true?”

Omrai nodded.

“ I ,” Kaiato said, “would rather not share this knowledge. But I want Jebuthar stopped, so I’ve accepted the cost.”

Yishai looked at Kaiato, “If I learn you’ve betrayed us in any way, I will find a death so slow and painful that it will mark the limit of human endurance.”

Kaiato nodded. “Understood.”

He turned to Revin.

“And you must be the monk,” Yishai said, sitting up straight, “Rumors say you’re not from here?”

Revin nodded. “No, I’m from the Hiriv island.”

“Never heard of it,” Yishai said, sounding somewhat incredulous.

“It’s very far northwest,” Revin said.

“Tell me about your people,” Yishai said. Revin felt threatened by his tone, which bore a hint of command.

“We don’t travel east much,” Revin said, “We’re peaceful, mostly self-reliant, though we do trade for some things. We grow our own food.”

“I’ve never heard your accent, yet you speak our language. How?”

“Well, our religions are similar,” Revin said, “We share a lot of the same books. We worship Sephitaro.”

Yishai cocked his head. “You mean, Shevidaro?”

Revin tensed.

“Just take the correction,” Omrai’s voice cautioned in Revin’s mind. Revin ignored him. He sat upright and set down his fork, probably in the wrong spot. “We pronounce it Sephitaro,” Revin said flatly.

“Revin...” Omrai’s mental voice cautioned more urgently.

Revin ignored him again. “My father is Sephitaro’s chosen leader for the world. We believe in Sephitaro’s sacrifice, in tea and ceremony, and in the freedom to choose.”

“Freedom to choose what?” Yishai said, cocking his head.

“The freedom to choose our faith,” Revin said.

“And why is that so significant?”

“I was forced to participate in a ceremony contrary to my faith,” Revin said. “I don’t appreciate it.”

“The people don’t need to appreciate it; they just need to do it.”

“A few on the Hiriv island aren’t Sephitarists, and they don’t have to be. So, I agree, they just need to keep the law. Don’t steal. Don’t kill. Do your part. But they aren’t forced to be religious.”

“Maybe that works in a nation as small as an island,” Yishai said, his scarred face frowning, “But in a place as broad as the Ateyan empire, such liberal policies wouldn’t work at all. That is why the religion is required along with the law, it gives the people a moral backbone. And it gives me the bit to enforce it.”

“Revin…” Omrai cautioned.

Revin glanced at the others, they were getting very nervous. “I just don’t think-”

“Revin,” Omrai said, his tone sharp. Revin turned to him. “Stop. Now.”

Revin slunked back in his chair.

The room was silent for a time as the conversation sought to find its footing. The quiet was broken when Shifra spoke.

“Be careful uncle,” Shifra said, leaning forward. “Your ever-tightening grip will breed dissent.”

“Shifra,” Omrai said.

“No,” Shifra said, “he fought for his government before. Let him fight for it now.”

There was a fire in her eyes. Her lips were grim. Her nostrils flared with tension. Revin smiled.

Revin’s grin vanished when he saw how Yishai was smiling at Shifra. “I wondered when we would get to this. I’ve been hearing rumors for quite a while. Spending time with Senator Thersha and his daughter, whispering treason in dark taverns?”

Shifra gripped the arms of her chair. “I don’t whisper treason in taverns. And they have a point! Eventually, the people will snap. If we aren’t free to choose, our choices are meaningless. You oppress your own people and you don’t even know it.”

Yishai was quiet. Omrai shook his head, his eyes closed.

Yishai stood, a motion which obviously took considerable effort and pain. “You read a few books and you consider yourself wiser than all the sages. Do you know what tyranny I saved us from? Child, you never lived under the boots of abusive emperors and a swarm of selfish nobles. I removed it all! I established a policy of righteous conduct. I have brought peace.”

“It won’t last,” Shifra said. “And don’t make it sound like you did it alone. My father made it happen.”

Omrai frowned.

“A nation divided cannot survive,” Yishai said, nodding at his brother’s disapproving gaze. “One religion, one God, one nation.”

“And a nation on a leash can’t thrive!” Shifra said, almost shouting. Her fists were clamped together, knuckles white and red. “The only way to prove you wrong is to watch Ateya destroy itself. Instead of taking advantage of all the good you’ve done, you’re going to destroy us from the inside out.”

Revin thought about that. Was she the only other sane person around?

Yishai shook his head. “You’re saying that if the people choose wrong, they’ll be better off?” Yishai laughed. “Your youth still shows, you haven’t seen what men do with this freedom of yours. The freedom to rip off the poor. The freedom to rape and murder your serfs. Is that truly a better nation?”

Shifra groaned. “That’s not what I’m saying!”

“But that’s exactly what would happen. When given the choice, most of mankind will choose wrong.”

“But that goes against everything in the Sephitaron about freedom,” Revin said. “Father God gave it to us, who are you to take it away?”

Shifra shot him a smile at his support. Revin’s stomach flipped at the glance. Shifra continued. “We’d not only survive, we’d be better. Getting rid of the emperor and noble titles was right, but this-”

“Shifra!” Omrai said, shouting, “That’s enough.”

He stared her down until she sank into her seat.

“That was… entertaining. But we will speak of this no more,” Yishai said to Shifra. Then he gave Omrai a disapproving look. He turned his eyes to Revin. “You are forbidden from practicing your heresies.”

Revin wanted to scream at the narrow-minded man, and from the look on her face, Shifra felt the same.

They discussed the war, and Omrai continued to act subservient. Revin had never seen him act like this before. Granted, he’d only know the man less than a month.

After Yishai had excused himself, Omrai turned to Revin with fire in his eyes. “What was that?”

“He asked about my religion!” Revin said.

“I told you to leave it be,” he glanced at Shifra as well. “And you should honor your father better.”

“You do little to control your tongue,” Kaiato said, eyeing Revin, “What does it matter what Yishai thinks?”

“What? And let Yishai push him around?” Revin folded his arms and narrowed his eyes in frustration.

“Don’t pretend you did this for me,” Omrai said, quiet and stern. “He doesn’t push me around. He knows what he wants, and he gets to the point, who am I to argue that?”

Revin scoffed. “How can you handle that? He’s a bully. Maybe Jebuthar would do a better job.”

Omrai gave Revin a firm look. “Do not speak of my brother like that,” Omrai said. “And don’t let your emotions make you say things you don’t feel.”

That confused Revin, but he chose to ignore it rather than seek clarification. “But why do you let him tell you what to do?” Revin tried to say in a calmer voice.

Omrai took a deep breath, “He’s my brother. He is cunning and wise. He wants to do what is right for this nation and for its people. And his laws work.”

Shifra scoffed. “We traded one emperor for another. Yishai’s an idiot if he thinks a vice grip will work for long.”

“We’re done with this discussion,” Omrai said sharply. Then, he looked out the window and let out a frustrated sigh. “I have to meet with my generals. I can’t go with you to the records. Shifra, take Revin and Kaiato. See what you can find. But don’t stay too late, if you find nothing, we’ll try again tomorrow.”

He looked at Revin, “You said your powers would work better if we are aligned. Think about how this dinner went. You deliberately disobeyed my orders. I don’t mind you disagreeing, Revin. But if our plans are not unified, we will fall.”

Revin frowned and narrowed his eyes. He had no response.

Omrai turned to Shifra “Be quick about it. We’ll discuss what you find when we return.”

Omrai left in a rush.

Revin noticed Kaiato was shaking his head.

“What?” Revin said.

“I have never seen such blatant disrespect,” Kaiato said. “Does leadership mean nothing to you two?”

Revin frowned.

“He isn’t my leader,” Revin said.

Kaiato looked disappointed. “Little good comes from questioning those with the burden to lead. We should, instead, serve them. Trust them.”

“I thought you hated Ateyans?” Shifra said, one brow raised in disbelief.

Kaiato shrugged. “Regardless. A leader is a leader. They are to be followed, not contested.”

Revin shook his head. “I follow only one being without question,” Revin said, “and that’s Father God. My dad’s a prophet, and I still argue with him.”

Kaiato frowned at Revin, his brow wrinkled in disbelief.

“It’ll get dark soon,” Shifra said.

Revin and Kaiato looked at her.

“We need to leave, but I want to change first.” She looked down at herself. Her clothes, like Revin’s and Kaiato’s, were dusty from the trip.

Kaiato nodded “I think I’ll do the same.”

Revin shrugged at his own clothes, not dirty enough to worry about. He looked out the dining room window. “I think I’ll wait in the garden.”