“I don’t expect you to ally yourself with us for nothing. Fight for us at Samara, and I have it on King Tauri’s word that we will respect the independence of your riot…and the city you’ve taken refuge in.” The breath freezes in my lungs. “Does he know about Aretia?” “I can’t tell.” “We will not conscript your citizens for our army, nor will we drag your people into a border war you have no chance of winning.”
