“Tell me truthfully, Tevidian,” the Lord Ruler said, walking slowly toward the obligator. “Have you ever bedded a skaa woman?” The obligator paused. “I followed the law! Each time, I had them slain afterward.” “You…lie,” the Lord Ruler said, as if surprised. “You’re uncertain.” Tevidian was visibly shaking. “I…I think I got them all, my lord. There…there was one I may have been too lax with. I didn’t know she was skaa at first. The soldier I sent to kill her was too lenient, and he let her go. But I found her, eventually.” “Tell me,” the Lord Ruler said. “Did this woman bear any children?” The
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