He stood again, dusting his gloves. "Send the letter to three people. Lord Kershal of the Western Reach—he's a coward, but a loud one. Lady Verden, who's already hanging on by a thread thanks to that scandal with her steward. And lastly, Duke Mavros… because I want to watch that arrogant fossil burn everything around him just to feel powerful again."
He turned, hands behind his back, as he walked a slow circle.
"In exchange, we'll let your house stand. You'll be our inside man in the coming purge. Provide information on troop movements, resource caravans, hidden strongholds. You'll pin targets for Rahna and her kin to gut when needed."
He stopped and looked back over his shoulder.
"And in return, your lands will be untouched. Your name… salvaged. Maybe even cleansed, if you play the noble martyr well enough."
Zynara chuckled. "Play your part, and who knows? Maybe you'll even be remembered as the one who tried to save them."
Aerion's face was pale, his throat dry.
